Nowadays there are products that we usually have stored at home without giving them much use, because we do not know their functionalities and benefits well enough to make the most of them, which could be of great help for some specific moments.
One of these products is apple cider vinegar , being very useful for different circumstances that may arise, since it manages to provide at least 12 different uses , which turn out to be of great interest to many people.
That is why the following article will explain briefly and in detail what apple cider vinegar is and what are the uses that we can give it , which will also include some studies to corroborate this information.
What is apple cider vinegar?
Apple vinegar or also known as cider vinegar , is a product made through the fermentation of sugars from its fruit (the apple ) , which results in a brown liquid with a sour taste on the palate.
Mainly, it is used to clean and season food . However, as mentioned before, this natural product is known for various benefits, among which we can highlight the detoxification of the body , relief of digestive discomfort, skin conditions or to improve the health of the hair.
Important: A study on this vinegar showed that among its health benefits it can be highlighted that it regulates blood sugar levels, improves insulin sensitivity, and favors blood pressure in patients with type II diabetes. (1)
What uses can be given to apple cider vinegar?
Apple cider vinegar contains few nutritional properties in its chemical composition regarding vitamins and minerals, however it has others such as amino acids and antioxidants that give it some benefits and uses that we describe below:
1. Relieves digestive discomfort
One of the main benefits of apple cider vinegar is that it helps relieve digestive discomfort thanks to its carminative properties , thus causing the expulsion of gases and eliminating indigestion that occurs in the stomach.
Tip: It is recommended to drink a glass of warm water with two tablespoons of vinegar on an empty stomach, which can help relieve some stomach complications such as heartburn, gas, swelling, or burning.
2. Detoxifies the body
Apple cider vinegar is very useful for detoxifying the body , since it is a rich source of flavonoid antioxidants , which act to combat and reduce free radicals, thus preventing cell oxidation.
Note: A study carried out at the University of León in Spain, on flavonoids, explains that these compounds are obtained through the human diet, whose function is to protect the organism from oxidizing agents to prevent cell degeneration. (two)
3. Reduces pain and inflammation
With the use of apple cider vinegar, it can be possible to reduce pain and inflammation in certain parts of the body that are affected, since it has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that manage to give this benefit to people.
4. Improves skin conditions
One of the benefits of apple cider vinegar is that it helps improve skin health and dermatological complications , since it has malic acid, which is a useful compound for the production of collagen in people.
In this sense, a study carried out in Spain on the beneficial effects of collagen on health, concluded that this compound helps to reduce joint pain, slow down the loss of bone mass and signs of aging, thus providing smoother and healthier skin. (3)
On the other hand, apple cider vinegar can be used as an acne treatment , since it regulates sebum production , reducing the appearance of pimples. In addition, it prevents the clogging of the pores, which helps the skin to breathe.
You should know: In case you have sensitive skin , it is recommended to first mix it with water and then apply it on a patch and leave it on to assess if there is any reaction. If any irritation arises, it should be stopped and consult a doctor .
5. Helps lose weight
Apple cider vinegar is a product sought after by people who want to reduce their body weight , since it has a compound called acetic acid that favors this function, thanks to accelerating fat burning and controlling sugar production.
To highlight: An article published by the Naturopathic Medicine magazine , on the acetic acid in apple cider vinegar, confirms that this product is widely used by different people for weight loss, since it helps burn fat in the body. (4)
6. Eliminates dandruff
Another of the benefits that apple cider vinegar gives people is that it favors the elimination of dandruff in the hair , since it has antimicrobial and antifungal properties , which serves to prevent dryness and itching on the scalp.
7. Whitens teeth
Teeth whitening can be achieved with the use of apple cider, since it works as a good cleaner and whitener thanks to the properties it possesses, helping to lighten the enamel that is affected by stains.
8. Clean and disinfect surfaces
One of the uses that apple cider vinegar has also been given at home is as a cleaner and disinfectant , since having acetic acid makes it easier to remove dirt and eliminate bacteria found on surfaces.
9. Get rid of fleas
Apple cider has also been attributed the function of eliminating fleas , although it does not kill them, but ends up driving them away due to acetic acid, which is too strong for these insects to tolerate.
10. Removes makeup
Removing makeup from the face or skin can be easier with the use of said vinegar, since it fulfills antibacterial, antifungal and disinfectant functions, making it easy to remove any cosmetic that has been applied to the skin.
11. Conditions the hair
Apple cider also has the benefit of conditioning the hair, which is why it is very helpful in making it look silkier and shinier . This is thanks to its disinfectant property, although experts still recommend continuing to use regular shampoo.
12. Soften the feet
Finally, apple cider vinegar can improve the softness of the feet , thanks to ” alpha hydroxy acids” (AHAs), which are compounds that help remove dead skin cells and give it a healthier appearance.
Key Findings
- Apple cider vinegar is made through the fermentation of apple sugars, which provides different health benefits .
- Among the benefits of this vinegar are: relief of digestive discomfort, detoxification of the body, reduction of pain and inflammation in the body.
- Cider vinegar has malic and acetic acid, which help in some way to lose weight and skin conditions.
- It also serves to eliminate dandruff from the hair , thanks to its antimicrobial and antifungal properties.
- This vinegar, in addition to being an excellent support in the kitchen, whitens teeth, eliminates fleas, removes makeup, conditions and softens the skin.
University Professional in the area of Human Resources, Postgraduate in Occupational Health and Hygiene of the Work Environment, 14 years of experience in the area of health. Interested in topics of Psychology, Occupational Health, and General Medicine.