Many of us grew up in the age of mother’s cod liver oil supplementation to keep us healthy, but few have had the experience of being raised with the same emphasis on apple cider vinegar.

Vinegar is a condiment which many of us are familiar with and in fact, was invented during the Xia Dynasty in China around 2000 BC.  This product of natural fermentation is mentioned in the Bible and was call a “blessed seasoning” by the Prophet Muhammad.

Vinegar is produced when there is oxidization by acetic acid bacteria of ethanol in any liquid containing alcohol, including beer, cider, and wine and fermented fruit juice.  A bacterial culture called the mother of vinegar is often added to quicken fermentation.  Many health enthusiasts insist that the apple cider vinegar they buy be of the unpasteurized variety and have the mother of vinegar present in it.  This appears like a dark mass at the bottom of the container.

Apple cider vinegar is a brownish-yellow color and is made from cider or apple must.  It is a highly acidic liquid with a sharp tangy taste.  Due to the high acidity content of apple cider vinegar, it must be diluted before consumption and is often sweetened with sugar or honey.  Acid chemical burns can result from the swallowing of uncoated apple cider vinegar pills.

Ok, so now that we know its been around forever and can be particularly unpleasant to drink or even smell directly, why is apple cider vinegar being spoken of as having important health benefits for you and I?

At the time of this writing, there are no significant scientific studies to support the health benefit claims of apple cider vinegar.  A few, limited studies involving a hand full of participants have been made with favorable results.  These studies are simply too limited in size to give us concrete data supporting the theory that apple cider vinegar is good for us.  However, the positive outcome of these smaller studies may spur larger more detailed studies in the future.

The plain truth is that many people find they feel better when they include apple cider vinegar in their diets.  Others state they find no benefit whatsoever from its use.

Two popular ways people use to add apple cider vinegar to their diets are by taking a supplement pill or by an apple cider hot toddy.  A hot toddy is made much like a tea in that you add boiling water to a mixture of liquid honey and a ½ to 1 ounce of apple cider vinegar.  The boiling water assists in dissolving the honey. This author suggests allowing the mixture to cool to room temperature so that it can safely be taken quickly. Once you get a whiff of this mixture you will understand why. It could probably open most stuffy noses just by the smell.

Amongst some of the claims being made in regards to apple cider vinegar are that it may reduce blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes if taken at bedtime and that is may have some effect on those with insulin sensitivity.  Now diabetes is not something you fool around with casually.  If you are experimenting with different products be sure to keep a close eye on things and discuss what you are doing with your doctor.

Other claims made are that apple cider vinegar may assist in lowering cholesterol levels, increase metabolism and speed up fat loss.  The facts are that we simply do not have sufficient scientific evidence at this time to support these claims.  On the other hand, apple cider vinegar is a natural product and just like the cod liver oil days of long ago, it may in fact be one of those things that people end up taking because they feel better when they do.  That is how many medicines and supplements were eventually discovered.

The key is to be as informed as is possible when trying new things, especially ones that do not have scientific evidence to back them up.  As well, pay attention to your health.  Any new addition to your diet will take a bit of time to show benefit.  In the meantime, particularly if you already have a pre-existing condition such as diabetes, keep a close watch for adverse effects and make up your own mind if the health benefits of apple cider vinegar are for you.

Warmest regards,

SherryD
http://www.imperfectyou.com