The Life-Saving Uses of Apple Cider Vinegar

14. Kill those pesky weeds with apple cider vinegar. Weeds are unsightly and can be hard to remove from your yard. Additionally, pesticides and store-bought weed… Trista - July 25, 2019

*Weeds in your plants or garden can be an incredible nuisance. Image via Shutterstock*

14. Kill those pesky weeds with apple cider vinegar.

Weeds are unsightly and can be hard to remove from your yard. Additionally, pesticides and store-bought weed killers are full of chemicals. Making your own weed killer using apple cider vinegar is a great way to naturally get rid of pesky weeds without exposing yourself and your family to harmful chemicals. ACV is also safe for pets! The acid found in vinegar works to kill weeds naturally. It’s best to use it as a spot treatment. Vinegar is not selective when used as a weed killer and will destroy any plant it touches. ACV works great on weeds that pop up in sidewalk cracks and among brick patios. Apply vinegar to weeds in the hottest part of the day to bake them. The apple cider vinegar kills the plants on the surface, leaving the dead parts to disintegrate eventually.

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*Seasonal allergies impact a large majority of individuals. Image via Freepik*

13. Apple cider vinegar helps to ward off seasonal allergies.

If you tend to get allergies, especially during spring and summer, some natural remedies may help alleviate symptoms. Allergies are caused when your immune system overreacts to a substance like dust, pollen, or animal dander. The body releases histamines to fight off allergens, leading to a runny nose, sore throat, and watery eyes. As we mentioned before, apple cider vinegar has been known to boost the immune system. Thanks to enzymes and good bacteria found in ACV, it can help reduce mucus. Also, apple cider vinegar can fight inflammation, making allergy attacks easier to manage. To combat allergies, drink an eight-ounce glass of water with two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar mixed in.

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*Warts can occur in a variety of places and some can be extremely painful. Image via Shutterstock*

12. Remove warts with apple cider vinegar.

Skin warts are quite common and seem to affect the hands and feet mostly. Caused by the human papillomavirus, warts are mostly harmless and painless. HPV has no cure, but there are ways to remove the bumps. Modern treatments include topical creams, laser therapy, freezing, and surgical removal. For those who don’t want to go through costly chemical wart removal, apple cider vinegar is a great option. The acetic acid in ACV kills bacteria and viruses on contact. Typically, it slowly burns and destroys infected skin, leading to the wart falling off. The irritation from apple cider vinegar works to stimulate the immune system to fight the wart-causing virus. You can mix two parts apple cider vinegar with one part water. Soak a cotton ball in the solution and apply directly to the wart. Wrap a bandage around the cotton ball and soak overnight. Repeat this method every night until the wart falls off.

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*It is important to maintain a normal pH level. Image via Shutterstock*

11. Balance your pH levels with apple cider vinegar.

Optimize your health by regulating the pH levels in your body. The human body performs best when it’s balanced internally. Even a small change in your pH can profoundly impact your system. The best way to get your pH balanced is to make the body more alkaline. What’s a great way to create an alkaline environment in your body? Acid! Ingesting acid can have an alkalizing effect on your immune system. Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid, which contributes to an alkaline environment — having a system that is more acidic than alkaline makes you more susceptible to developing diseases and other health issues. Nourish and hydrate your body by drinking one to two tablespoons of vinegar diluted in an eight-ounce glass of water.

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*High cholesterol levels can be hazardous to your health. Shutterstock*

10. Apple cider vinegar can help lower cholesterol levels.

Consuming apple cider vinegar can reduce total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL cholesterol. Apple cider vinegar contains many antioxidant benefits that can aid in lowering overall cholesterol levels. It is critical to maintaining healthy cholesterol levels. Failure to do so can result in limited blood flow and increase your risk of a heart attack or stroke. If high enough, it may need to be treated by a health provider and prescribed medication. However, you may be able to control or maintain healthy cholesterol levels by incorporating apple cider vinegar into your daily routine.

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*Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease. Image via Shutterstock*

9. Did you know that apple cider vinegar can help with ulcerative colitis?

Ulcerative colitis is usually in the innermost lining of the large intestine. Cases can range from mild to severe. Incorporating diluted apple cider vinegar can help improve digestion. By improving digestion, the diluted apple cider vinegar also helps lower inflammation in the colon and increases the number of good bacteria in the gut. Healthy bacteria in the gut helps prevent the colon from becoming inflamed and contributes to healthy digestion. For those with ulcerative colitis, this could mean fewer ulcers and a reduction in symptoms such as abdominal pain and loss of appetite.

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*Bone broth has many nutritional benefits. Shutterstock*

8. Try incorporating some apple cider vinegar into your bone broth.

Bone broth is rich with many benefits, including being a great source of protein and nutrients. When you add apple cider vinegar to your bone broth, it is not really about the flavor. Instead, it ensures the soup bone releases all of the essential nutrients you want when you add apple cider vinegar. Bone broth is packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants such as calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium. All of these nutrients are excellent for improving overall health. Apple cider vinegar has the power to draw nutrients out of the bones you are using, making sure you can take full advantage of these nutrients.

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*Proper digestion is essential for your overall health. Shutterstock*

7. Apple cider vinegar helps with digestion.

Consuming apple cider vinegar for digestion has a variety of impacts. Some of these include getting rid of heartburn, reducing bloating, and improving your overall digestion. Proper digestion means there are adequate acid levels in the stomach, so our food nutrients can be absorbed. When there is not enough acid, food is not adequately broken down, and the nutrients are not assimilated, which can lead to digestion, as mentioned earlier issues. By drinking apple cider vinegar, you are increasing your acid production and, in turn, strengthening proper digestion.

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*Bacteria can be harmful to you and your body. Shutterstock*

6. Apple cider vinegar kills bacteria.

Apple cider vinegar is not only helpful in fighting fungus, but it is also used for disinfecting wounds and killing bacteria. It is a great resource to treat and prevent infection because apple cider vinegar can kill bacteria efficiently. It also inhibits bacteria, like E-coli, from spoiling food. Therefore it has been used often in the past as a food preservative. Apple cider vinegar is also natural and better than artificial preservatives. It can be used to kill bacteria in the body and even on the foods that we consume. If you are struggling to keep your food from spoiling, try using some apple cider vinegar.

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*Boiled eggs are cooked with their shells unbroken. Shutterstock*

5. This type of vinegar helps to boil better eggs.

Boiled eggs are a popular item and have much nutritional value. If you struggle to produce good eggs, try incorporating some apple cider vinegar into the water you use to boil or poach eggs. Doing so can help make consistent, good eggs. That occurs because the protein in egg whites firm up more quickly when exposed to a more acidic liquid—using apple cider vinegar when boiling eggs can also speed up the coagulation or clotting of the egg whites. It can also be useful if the shell cracks while the egg is being cooked.

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*Marinades are popular when cooking meat. Borges*

4. Apple cider vinegar can be used as a marinade.

There are many ways to use apple cider vinegar. Some of them have positive health impacts, and others are hacks for the household. Another way to use apple cider vinegar is while cooking as a marinade. Apple cider vinegar is a popular ingredient in many steak marinades. Using apple cider vinegar as a steak marinade gives the meat a nice sweet and sour flavor. If you seek a little more taste, try combining it with wine, garlic, soy sauce, onion, and cayenne pepper to give your steak a delicious flavor.

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*Many individuals use mouthwash daily. Shutterstock*

3. Try using apple cider vinegar as a mouthwash.

Many people utilize mouthwash daily in their dental routines. While it may not be as familiar, you can try using apple cider vinegar as a mouthwash. It is often said to be a useful alternative to commercial mouthwashes. Apple cider vinegar contains a multitude of antibacterial properties that can help with bad breath. However, if you are going to try adding this into your dental routine, make sure you dilute it with water. The recommendation is for one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar; you will want to mix it with one cup of water. Failure to do so can cause the acidity of the vinegar to damage your teeth.

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*It is vital that you clean your toothbrush regularly. Image via Freepik*

2. Apple cider vinegar can be used to clean your toothbrush.

To have clean teeth, it is worth considering how clean your toothbrush is. Given that apple cider vinegar has many antibacterial properties that can be used as a homemade cleaner for your toothbrush. To make your own toothbrush cleaner, try mixing a half cup of water, two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, and two teaspoons of baking soda together well. Once mixed, leave the head of your toothbrush in the mix for 30 minutes. Before you use your toothbrush, be sure to rinse the brush exceptionally well to prevent the acidity of undiluted vinegar from damaging your teeth.

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*Probiotics are live bacteria that are good for you, especially in your digestive system. Shutterstock*

1. Apple cider vinegar is a probiotic.

Probiotics are microorganisms and are often referred to as good bacteria that live in the gastrointestinal tract. They have a variety of potential benefits for overall health and specific health concerns. Apple cider vinegar is a probiotic; however, not all are the same. Fermented foods are one source of these helpful bacteria. During fermentation, bacteria feed on sugars and starches in foods, such as apples, in the case of apple cider vinegar. It causes bacteria to grow and multiply. If you are looking to get the most out of apple cider vinegar and its health benefits, be sure to look for unpasteurized and unfiltered apple cider vinegar.

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