Apple cider vinegar drink has been around for a long time and has been used for many ailments for both humans and their pets. It is also a wonderful cleaning agent around the home.  Apple cider vinegar like any other vinegar, contains acetic acid and has a low pH, which means it can cause a chemical burn in straight solutions on delicate skin or internally.  ACV is made from apple juice that is fermented with bacteria and yeast – a type of fungus. Apple Cider Vinegar is also loaded with vitamins, minerals and amino acids. A good way to make your organic apple cider vinegar drink is to make it up with organic honey, lemon juice and add water to your taste. I like to have it on an empty stomach first thing in the morning.

You can buy ACV filtered or unfiltered, and/or unpasteurized. What that means if it is unfiltered and unpasteurized is that is has a sediment in the container that contains the original, living, acetic acid bacteria “called the mother”. It is these living organisms that some claim is the beneficial part of the vinegar as it helps with introducing probiotics or beneficial organisms/ normal flora, into the digestive tract.

There are many claims out there as to its health benefits but be sure to do your own research and if you decide to try it, start with low concentrations to see if it has side affects. If you are taking any medications for diabetes, heart problems or high blood pressure etc. check with your doctor first as it may cause a reaction.

So what are people using Apple Cider Vinegar for?

One such use for ACV is to help control blood sugar and prevent diabetes, as it has been claimed that it blocks the enzymes that break down starch in the digestive process, resulting is lower blood glucose levels. So by adding ACV vinegar to your salad dressing and sauces when having a high starch meal of potatoes, pasta etc can help with fluctuations in glucose after eating.

Another popular use is for stomach and digestion ailments,  such as heartburn , constipation, diarrhoea and acid reflux etc., as the ACV eases the discomfort.  Often hydrochloric acid production in the stomach is low especially in some people who have insufficient gut flora resulting from antibiotic usage. A good way to re-introduce these organisms is by eating cultured or fermented foods like ACV. I like to take one teaspoon of organic ACV in half a glass of warm water with some honey.

Weight Loss and cholesterol lowering affects are other reasons why people may take ACV as a drink, as it is thought to help regulate blood sugar levels, increase satiety after a meals and help to curb cravings which helps reduce calories. As always if you are a diabetic be sure to check with your doctor before trying ACV for this purpose.

Finally, some other common uses of Apple Cider Vinegar Drink are for pimples, itchy bug bites and stings, sore throats, wart removal, fruit fly traps, natural aluminium- free deodorant and for cleaning around the home. And the list goes on.

As mentioned before this is not medical advice but a starting point for you to do more research into the uses and side affects before starting to use ACV in any form. There seems to be a big demand for Organic ACV recently and there have been some reports that it may be in short supply. So if you are looking to buy some Organic Apple Cider Vinegar such as Braggs, then check out ” Love Your Health” on the Shop Page. This is a new family business that is supporting natural and organic food and other products. I love to promote local companies that supply organic products so be sure to check them out.

Morning Apple Cider Vinegar Drink .

A quick and easy way to make this drink is to put about a ratio of teaspoon of honey to a teaspoon of ACV and a squeeze of lemon juice. Add some cold water then hot water to dissolve everything and make up to about a 1/2 cup of drink with extra water. Adjust to your taste buds.

I noticed the extra fat around the belly started to fall away about after a week of drinking this each morning on a empty stomach. Let me know if you have any good results.