Why Is Everyone Trying Apple Cider Vinegar?
It is indisputable that apple cider vinegar (ACV) holds a hallowed, almost mythical status amongst countless people. According to one poll, approximately half of Americans say they either currently use ACV for health and wellness reasons or have done so in the past.
Depending on who you listen to, it’s suggested that ACV can reduce cholesterol, lower blood pressure, and help with weight loss, among other things. However, a growing number of medical professionals are taking umbrage with the notion that ACV is a panacea. Such individuals believe that this common kitchen ingredient is wildly overhyped.
Yet, such protestations haven’t dampened the popularity of apple cider vinegar. This article investigates ACV, highlighting what it is and why so many people use it.
What Is Apple Cider Vinegar?
The French phrase vin aigre means “sour wine,” and it is believed that the word “vinegar” comes from this term. Vinegar is a genuinely natural product. Did you know that any alcoholic drink, regardless of whether it’s made from grapes, dates, apples, etc., will naturally turn into vinegar when exposed to air? The bacteria in the air is responsible for converting the alcohol in these drinks into acetic acid.
Apple cider vinegar consists of 94% water, 5% acetic acid, and about 1% carbohydrates. As you can probably guess, it is vinegar made from cider and is widely used in marinades and salad dressings.
First, manufacturers crush the apples and squeeze out the juice. Next, the juice is fermented by yeast, which transforms the juice’s sugars into ethanol. The second fermentation step involves converting the ethanol into acetic acid via the Acetobacter species of bacteria. The combination of acetic acid and malic acid is the main reason for its extremely sour taste.
Certain ACV varieties have the term “the mother” on the label. This refers to the combination of bacteria and yeast created during fermentation. The mother is a cloudy substance typically visible at the bottom of the container. It is especially rich in natural proteins that contribute to wellness, along with acetic acid and healthy bacteria.
A Brief History of ACV
Vinegar has been used for millennia, and its history likely began approximately 7,000 years ago when the ancient Babylonians started making the substance from the fruit of a date palm. Vinegar residues were also found in ancient Egyptian urns believed to be 5,000+ years old.
It’s not known precisely when people began using ACV, although it is mentioned in Hippocrates’ writings around 2,400 years ago. Known as the father of modern medicine, Hippocrates apparently prescribed apple cider vinegar mixed with honey for a host of maladies.
We can credit Dr. Paul C. Bragg with the popularization of ACV in the modern era. Indeed, if you take a closer look at the bottle of apple cider vinegar you have in your cupboard, you’ll probably see the ‘Bragg’ name on it! He brought it to the market as a natural home remedy in the early 1900s.
Apple cider vinegar’s popularity skyrocketed as anecdotal reports about its health benefits began pouring in. So, why do millions of people use it?
Explaining the Popularity of Apple Cider Vinegar
It’s important to note that vinegar does contain minerals such as magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, and potassium. However, does ACV really have provable benefits?
It is the “provable” part of the equation that’s proving challenging although there is some scientific evidence to at least back up some of the claims. For example, it’s suggested that apple cider vinegar can help with weight loss.
One study involved two groups: one that consumed 30ml of ACV per day and another that did not. In 12 weeks, the ACV group lost almost 4 pounds more than those who didn’t use it. Both groups also cut their daily calorie intakes by 250.
Meanwhile, a meta-analysis of six studies found that daily ACV use could lead to reduced cholesterol. Overall, there is a litany of potential benefits attributed to ACV but there isn’t strong enough evidence to back up these claims. That being said, it’s entirely possible that future research will find more concrete evidence.
Certainly, countless people continue to use apple cider vinegar as part of their daily wellness regime.
Using Apple Cider Vinegar
At present, there are no official dosage recommendations. In different studies, participants usually consumed between 15ml and 30ml per day. However, if you’ve never used it before, it’s sensible to begin with a much smaller amount, perhaps 5ml or less.
Most people dilute it to a ratio of at least 1:1 water and ACV. The strong bitter taste is not easy for everyone to stomach, so you may wish to use even more water.
When using apple cider vinegar, there’s a possibility of the high acid content irritating your esophagus. Also, when used undiluted, ACV could damage tooth enamel. Rather than forcing yourself to consume it in liquid form, why not try our apple cider vinegar gummies instead? Each one contains 500mg of ACV and like the rest of our range, these gummies are fully third-party lab tested.
If you’re keen to see what ACV can do for you, our gummies can act as a gentle introduction. Although apple cider vinegar may prove a useful addition to your daily routine, please note that it can’t replace a healthy lifestyle.
