Apple cider vinegar (ACV) has many healthy benefits that are unknown to most. These random uses for apple cider vinegar will blow your mind!
ACV has many important minerals such as potassium, calcium, sodium, iron, sulfer and magnesium, just to name a few. All of these minerals are vital for a healthy body.
Now don’t get me wrong, ACV does not have the most pleasant taste or aroma. I use it as a thumb sucking aid for Little A as she can’t stand the smell. Just one threat of apple cider vinegar on her thumb and that thumb is out of her mouth.
If you aren’t familiar with apple cider vinegar, it’s made from crushed fresh, organically grown apples that ferment in wooden barrels. Then bacteria and yeast are added to the liquid to start the fermentation process, where the sugars turn into alcohol. There is then a second fermentation process where the alcohol is turned into vinegar and you get the final product, apple cider vinegar.
After doing a bit more research, I found out that ACV actually has many more benefits that I originally thought.
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Some of the uses I found for apple cider vinegar are super random, but some make total sense. Here are a few of my favorites.
Weight Loss
People have been using ACV for weight loss for centuries. It helps aide digestion and reduces constipation (as noted above). It has also been known to increase ones metabolism and aide with muscle repair, thus the use of ACV by many in the fitness industry (our personal trainer turned us on to the benefits of ACV for muscle recovery and fighting free radicals).
Use: Add 2 teaspoons to 8 oz of water and drink 1-2 times a day.
Body Odor
Seems counter-intuitive since the smell is so strong, but ACV is actually an effective body odor remedy, since it can balance the skin’s pH level, which helps to eliminate odor-causing bacteria.
Use: For underarm odor, wipe under each arm once each morning with undiluted apple cider vinegar (using a cotton ball). For foot odor, fill a pan with warm water and add 1/3 cup of ACV, then let your feet soak for 15 minutes. Do this once a week.
Age Spots
Apple cider vinegar contains sulfur, which has been known to fight the effects of aging.
Use: Apply, undiluted, directly to the darkened area for 30 minutes, then rinse. Only do this once daily as the ACV can have a drying effect on the skin.
You can also mix 1 teaspoons apple cider vinegar and 1 teaspoon onion juice and apply daily. Spots should begin to fade in 4-6 weeks.
Heartburn
Heartburn usually occurs after eating, sometimes up to two hours later.
Use: Mix 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar in 8 oz of water. Take three times a day before meals.
Acne
Apple Cider Vinegar is a natural cure for acne.
Use: Apply a mixture of 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar and 8 oz. water with a cotton ball several times a day. This will help the infected area and dry out any inflammation.
Hair Clarity
This is one of my favorite uses for apple cider vinegar. The ACV helps remove build up on the scalp that comes from use of hair care products. Use ACV in place of clarifying shampoo.
Use: Apply 1/3-1/2 cup undiluted apple cider vinegar to hair and scalp and massage in. Rinse and shampoo as usual.
Some other uses of apple cider vinegar:
- Helps with muscle fatigue after exercise
- Reduces sinus infections and sore throats
- Strengthens the immune system
- Balances high cholesterol
- Improves digestion and reduce constipation
- Improves skin conditions such as acne
- Strengthens the immune system
- Increases stamina
- Prevents urinary tract infections
Do you use apple cider vinegar for any health remedies? I’d love to hear them!
I literally didn’t know about any of these! I feel very enlightened this morning! xo, Biana –BlovedBoston
I would have never guessed for hair or weight loss. We use it whenever we get fruit flies.
liz jo @ sundays with sophie
I didn’t know about the deodorant factor! I just got a recipe to make my own deodorant, but if that doesn’t work I’m going to give this a whirl… Unless I constantly smell it on myself all day, that won’t work for me. Because like you, I really don’t care for the smell of this stuff! Too bad it’s not like a barrel of fresh apples, right?!
SO many great uses even though I hardly use it! Need to be better about this – esp for hair clarity! yes please!
My trainer said to take 2 tbs of ACV in water first thing in the morning. I couldn’t stomach it – I could not even swallow it!
So thank you for the idea to add it to my morning green smoothie. I don’t know why it never occurred to me to do so. 🙂
Thanks!!
I couldn’t either! I don’t know how my husband does it! But yes, adding it to a smoothie is wayyyy better. 🙂
I had no idea Apple Cider Vinegar could be used for age spots; that is awesome!
I didn’t either until I started doing some research. It has so many great uses!
Oh cool! So many helpful uses!
I should jump on that age spots one – lol.
I have some ACV on hand as well.
Thanks for sharing.
xoxo
Such a great list of ideas!! I knew some of these but not all. I need to try and stomach it, haha! My husband was drinking it in his water for awhile, but neither of us have been in the habit in some time. A great reminder to get back to some of our healthier habits! 🙂
~Tabitha
I have had a bottle of this sitting on my kitchen counter for the longest time and never knew of all of these benefits. Cool. Does it really taste good in smoothies? I make smoothies every day. I will have to try it.
I’ve heard such great things about ACV. Can you pick it up just at the regular grocery store? Is it with the other vinegar? I need to try this for a multitude of issues.
I always keep apple cider vinegar in the house! Whenever I get sick I like to make a hot “tea” of apple cider vinegar, lemon juice and honey mixed with water. It really helps with sore throats and it is supposed to help you get better faster.
Wow! So many great uses. I knew it was good but didn’t know all of those benefits. I’ve been doing a tbsp a day (yeah it is a strong taste but I don’t mind it). It really helps the pH levels in my body so it really helps my acid reflux.
Love this! ACV is such a great multipurpose thing to have around. I used to make ACV toner and use it all the time when I was suffering from acne. I need to start ingesting it more often!
I knew there were benefits but I didn’t know how many! Crazy! but man drinking it in water… I don’t think I could do it.