History

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The history of Apple Cider Vinegar can be traced as far back as 3000 B.C. when the father of medicine, Hippocrates, used it on his patients. ACV, or natural, undistilled Apple Cider Vinegar, was discovered by Hippocrates to be a powerful agent that helps fight against viruses, mold, germs, and bacteria to help promote a longer and healthier life.[1]
ACV's legacy describes its mighty body cleansing and weight loss qualities that can be traced back to when it was used in Egyptian urns, as preservatives by the Babylonians, as a disease-fighting agent by Julius Caesar's army, as a flavor additive by the Greeks and Romans, as a miracle healer in Biblical times, and as a body deodorizer in the middle ages in Paris. ACV was even treasured by Christopher Columbus and his crew as a product used to prevent scurvy.[2]
Although ACV is mainly used as a nature-pathic remedy rather than something that a doctor would normally prescribe, ACV has been used all over the world for thousands of years for an abundance of health reasons.[3]

Health Benefits

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ACV can be used for a wide range of purposes:

Increase Of Potassium In The Body
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Potassium is a main component found in ACV that is a crucial part of any person's diet. Potassium has a large amount of benefits including the relief of bacterial and fungal contagion, the prevention of stunted growth, runny nose, waste in the body, fragile nails and teeth, and hair loss.[4]

Hair Care
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By using ACV as a shampooing agent, the hair's pH level is balanced and buildup from various hair products is eliminated.[5]

Weight Loss
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ACV, a natural appetite suppressant, is also believed to help increase one's metabolic rate, in-turn reducing the amount of bloating and fat in the body.[6]

Diabetes
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If taken after a meal, ACV is known to slow the increase of blood sugar levels in diabetics. If taken before bedtime, ACV is known to reduce blood sugar levels in the morning.[7]

Acid Reflux
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To help with the treatment of heart burn or acid reflux, ACV has been discovered, in a recent study at the Earth Clinic, to be the best way to relieve these symptoms. The acetic acid in vinegar helps to decrease the acidity in the stomach thus continuing to allow the digestion of food to proceed with less problems.[8]

Warts
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In the treatment and removal of warts on the body, ACV has been known to eliminate the wart from the body. By saturating a cotton ball with ACV, placing a bandaid over the wart, and interchanging the patch each day for 7 days, the wart will interact with the vinegar as the healing process starts. The ACV then causes the wart to swell, possibly throb, and then turn black before it vanishes within one to two weeks.[9]

Nutrition
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ACV contains antioxidants which are known to help in the prevention of cancer cells in the body. ACV also contains pectin, a fiber that is water-soluble that can be found apples as well. Pectin absorbs water as well as fat as it works to remove those from the body.[10]
By using ACV these ailments can be treated:[11]

Health Risks

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By taking ACV in small amounts, risks are minimal, but when taking ACV in large doses and for a long period of time, there can be some risks. Since ACV is highly acidic, it should always be mixed with water or juice to reduce the harmful acidity. When using ACV in the long-term, it can lower potassium levels in the body as well as reduce bone density. It is suggested to people who have diabetes, to talk to their doctor before using ACV.[12]

Veterinary Benefits

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In addition to helping humans increase their level of health, ACV can also be used to help increase the health levels in pets.[13]

For Cats And Dogs
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Cats and dogs can be benefitted from the intake of ACV in many areas. ACV can be used to:[14]

  • enhance daily health
  • care for ears
  • fight against fleas and ticks
  • treat multiple skin problems
  • remove skunk odor
  • promote weight loss
  • improve fertility in dogs
  • remove cat urine odor
For Horses
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ACV can be added to the horse's feed and water for health purposes, can prevent enteroliths (intestinal stones), can avert horse flies, can help skin irritations, and can be used to protect their hoofs.[15]

Note
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ACV should not be fed to pets with yeast allergies, or dogs that have intestinal tract irritations.[16]

Cleaning

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ACV is not only a great alternative to other cleaning products which contain harmful chemicals that can infect a home, but it is also better for the environment. The best type of vinegar to use for cleaning is White Vinegar. White Vinegar helps to deodorize, cut grease and soap scum, reduce the buildup of minerals, and stop the growth of mold and bacteria. When mixed with salt, ACV can dissolve tarnish, when mixed with baking soda, ACV can absorb odors, and when mixed with hydrogen peroxide, ACV can be used as a disinfectant. [17]

Cooking

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Vinegar can be used in a variety of ways to make meals healthier as well as tastier. Vinegar is a healthy substitute for table salt, and can also lessen one's craving for sweets. It also has only 2 calories per tablespoon and contains no fat. Vinegar can also be used to make meats and vegetables more tender as well as stop bacteria growth. Vinegar can also decrease the production of gas in beans.[18]


References

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  1. ^ Bragg, Paul C. Apple Cider Vinegar. Santa Barbara, CA: Print.
  2. ^ Bragg, Paul C. Apple Cider Vinegar. Santa Barbara, CA: Print.
  3. ^ Bragg, Paul C. Apple Cider Vinegar. Santa Barbara, CA: Print.
  4. ^ "Apple Cider Vinegar Benefits and Multiple Uses." Apple Cider Vinegar Benefits. N.p., 2004. Web. 11 Oct 2010. <http://www.apple-cider-vinegar-benefits.com/index.html>.
  5. ^ "Apple Cider Vinegar Benefits and Multiple Uses." Apple Cider Vinegar Benefits. N.p., 2004. Web. 11 Oct 2010. <http://www.apple-cider-vinegar-benefits.com/index.html>.
  6. ^ "Apple Cider Vinegar Benefits and Multiple Uses." Apple Cider Vinegar Benefits. N.p., 2004. Web. 11 Oct 2010. <http://www.apple-cider-vinegar-benefits.com/index.html>.
  7. ^ "Apple Cider Vinegar Benefits and Multiple Uses." Apple Cider Vinegar Benefits. N.p., 2004. Web. 11 Oct 2010. <http://www.apple-cider-vinegar-benefits.com/index.html>.
  8. ^ "Apple Cider Vinegar Benefits and Multiple Uses." Apple Cider Vinegar Benefits. N.p., 2004. Web. 11 Oct 2010. <http://www.apple-cider-vinegar-benefits.com/index.html>.
  9. ^ "Apple Cider Vinegar Benefits and Multiple Uses." Apple Cider Vinegar Benefits. N.p., 2004. Web. 11 Oct 2010. <http://www.apple-cider-vinegar-benefits.com/index.html>.
  10. ^ "Apple Cider Vinegar Benefits and Multiple Uses." Apple Cider Vinegar Benefits. N.p., 2004. Web. 11 Oct 2010. <http://www.apple-cider-vinegar-benefits.com/index.html>.
  11. ^ "Saturday Special Apple Cider Vinegar for Health and Beauty." 2001. Web. <http://www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/lnacademic/>.
  12. ^ "Healthy Eating & Diet." WebMD. N.p., 2005. Web. 11 Oct 2010. <http://www.webmd.com/diet/apple-cider-vinegar?page=2>.
  13. ^ "Apple Cider Vinegar Benefits and Multiple Uses." Apple Cider Vinegar Benefits. N.p., 2004. Web. 11 Oct 2010. <http://www.apple-cider-vinegar-benefits.com/index.html>.
  14. ^ "Apple Cider Vinegar Benefits and Multiple Uses." Apple Cider Vinegar Benefits. N.p., 2004. Web. 11 Oct 2010. <http://www.apple-cider-vinegar-benefits.com/index.html>.
  15. ^ "Apple Cider Vinegar Benefits and Multiple Uses." Apple Cider Vinegar Benefits. N.p., 2004. Web. 11 Oct 2010. <http://www.apple-cider-vinegar-benefits.com/index.html>.
  16. ^ "Apple Cider Vinegar Benefits and Multiple Uses." Apple Cider Vinegar Benefits. N.p., 2004. Web. 11 Oct 2010. <http://www.apple-cider-vinegar-benefits.com/index.html>.
  17. ^ "Apple Cider Vinegar Benefits and Multiple Uses." Apple Cider Vinegar Benefits. N.p., 2004. Web. 11 Oct 2010. <http://www.apple-cider-vinegar-benefits.com/index.html>.
  18. ^ "Apple Cider Vinegar Benefits and Multiple Uses." Apple Cider Vinegar Benefits. N.p., 2004. Web. 11 Oct 2010. <http://www.apple-cider-vinegar-benefits.com/index.html>.