20 Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) Uses for Health and Wellness

Apple cider vinegar drinks

Apple cider vinegar, known as ACV for short, has a huge amount of uses for health and wellness. It has antibiotic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties. It is mainly squeezed apple juice, but by adding yeast to it, the fruit turns to sugar and then alcohol through fermentation. In the second fermentation process, the alcohol is converted into vinegar by acetic acid-forming bacteria (acetobacter).

It contains polyphenols which are antioxidants that reduce cell damage. It contains malic and lactic acid which are beneficial to the skin.

Precautions – Potassium levels can drop significantly. ACV is not good for people with type 1 Diabetes as it makes it harder to control blood sugar. Also, it doesn’t work well with some medications to treat diabetes, heart disease and certain diuretics. Not suitable for pregant women. Do consult your doctor if you are unsure.

Here is a list of health benefits associated with ACV –

  • Boosts gut health
  • Improves heart health
  • Regulates blood sugar (Type 2 diabetes)
  • Calms an upset stomach (antibiotic properties)
  • Reduces acid reflux and heartburn
  • Detoxifies your system (antioxidant)
  • Balances PH levels
  • Wards of allergies such as hay fever
  • Reduces varicose veins
  • Lowers blood pressure
  • Aids in weight loss
  • Alleviates cold symptoms
  • Prevents indigestion
  • Improves skin health
  • Cures hiccups
  • Boosts energy
  • Improves circulation
  • Reduces cholesterol
  • Relieve Gallbladder Pain
  • Removes and eliminates dandruff

1 Gut Health –

Maintaining a healthy gut is extremely important as it is considered the pathway to your main organs. A healthy gut contains around 80% good bacteria and 20% bad bacteria. It needs the right balance in order to stave off diseases. Apparently the gut is the centre for all diseases that begin in the body. ACV ensures that the balance of good and bad bacteria stays normal.

2 Heart Health –

By managing to regulate cholesterol and blood pressure, ACV can help prevent heart disease. Of course you will need to factor in diet, exercise and fat intake to maintain a healthy heart, but it helps.

3 Blood sugar regulation –

ACV prevents the body from digesting starches, therefore preventing blood sugar levels from spiking after a starchy meal, when taken before a meal. 1 to 3 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar diluted in eight ounces of warm water is sufficient.

4 Upset Stomach –

ACV mixed with honey enhances its potency for an upset stomach. Mix one tsp ACV with 1 tsp honey in a glass of warm water a few times a day. Helps discomfort and alleviates gas.

Apple cider vinegar drinks

5 Acid Reflux and Heartburn –

Acid reflux may be a result of too little stomach acid. Apple cider vinegar may be beneficial because it introduces acetic acid into the digestive tract. It combats several types of bacteria and acts as an anti-microbial agent. Not recommended if you have a stomach ulcer and not proven to work. Worth a try if you’re wanting to try a natural home remedy.

6 Detox –

Gives the body a good dose of enzymes while increasing potassium levels. Boosts your immune system while promoting healthy pH-balance in the body. Aids healthy digestion and gives good bacteria for the gut. Improves the immune system naturally and helps remove “sludge toxins” from the body. Aids in weight loss, skin improvement and can help cure acne.

7 PH Balancing –

Dilute it with two parts water, and apply to your face with a cotton ball or pad. It acts as a toner and balances out the PH of your skin.

8 Hayfever Remedy –

ACV has antihistamine properties. It prevents the histamine reaction in the body when its come into contact with pollen and other allergens.

9 Varicose Veins Treatment –

Applied by massaging pure ACV into the legs or wraps made from cheesecloth or muslin dipped in ACV wrapped around problem areas twice daily, morning and night. After a couple of months you should see an improvement. There is no scientific proof but several positive testimonials online.

10 Lowers Blood Pressure –

ACV helps to balance the body’s pH. By breaking down fat and phlegm deposits in the body, it provides better circulation and lower pressure against the arterial walls.

11 Aids Weight Loss –

ACV helps with digestion, suppresses the appetite and prevents a spike in glucose levels. A Japanese study on obese students found that vinegar may increase the production of an enzyme responsible for fat burning. It also contains Pectin. Pectin is known to increase satiety, which aids in weight loss.

Apple cider vinegar drink with apples

12 Alleviates Cold Symptoms –

ACV mixed with water helps to alkalinize the body. Creating an alkaline environment helps kill bacteria and viruses. Mix one Tsp in a glass of warm water and continue daily when symptoms occur.

13 Prevents Indigestion –

Acid (such as vinegar) in the esophagus triggers increased salivation. Also, small study of a unique gum containing apple cider vinegar showed it eased heartburn.

14 Improves Skin Health –

ACV contains alpha hydroxy acids that will remove dead skin and reveal healthy new skin. Antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral substance capable of keeping bacteria at bay. Also helps to balance pH and keeps your skin from becoming too oily or too dry by balancing the production of sebum. By using ACV on age spots it has been known to diminish the appearance. Dab it on with cotton bud and leave for 3 mins then wash off. See results within 6 weeks.

15 Cures Hiccups –

Cure the hiccups in an instant by sipping on a teaspoon of ACV. Not advised for people with acid reflux since it is not diluted. Do not do this if you have stomach ulcer.

16 Boosts Energy –

ACV contains potassium and enzymes to help combat fatigue. Plus, its amino acids may help prevent the buildup of lactic acid in your body, further preventing fatigue.

17 Improves circulation –

ACV drastically increases blood flow. The powerful enzymes in apple cider vinegar break down bad cholesterol and stop it from clogging the arteries. The vinegar’s high potassium content pulls excess sodium from the body. For best results, mix 2 to 3 tsp. of apple cider vinegar in 8 oz. of water before every meal.

18 Reduces Cholesterol –

With just one tablespoon of ACV in the morning, you naturally lower your cholesterol since ACV is known to increase bile production and support your liver.

19 Relieve Gallbladder Pain –

If you are suffering from debilitating gallbladder pain, there’s nothing better for it than ACV. Add 2 tsp to a cup of apple juice every 2 hours until the pain subsides.

20 Removes Dandruff –

ACV is anti-inflammatory and antibacterial so perfect for treating dandruff. It also treats the excess bacteria and yeast-like fungus that make dandruff reoccur.

So if you haven’t been introduced to ACV yet, you have now! What an amazing natural remedy. I was blown away by all the fantastic health benefits! I started takin ACV last year when I was trying to lose weight. I read online that you should drink a cup of freshly squeezed grapefruit juice with a teaspoon of honey and a teaspoon of ACV 20 minutes before a meal. I bought a bunch of grapefruits and some ACV and made up the concoction.

The first time I tried it, it tasted really awful but I was determined to keep it up for at least a few days. I had read a few testimonials on the weight loss side of things and it sounded brilliant so I persevered. After a couple of days, I noticed I started to like the taste. Grapefruit juice wasn’t something I had tried before, nor ACV so both are quite bitter and a weird combination. I decided to add a tbsp instead of a tsp of honey in and that helped.

acv grapefruit drinks

After a few days, I was hooked on it! I was literally craving it. It sounds bizarre but they say when your body needs something it craves it. I was looking forward to my freshly squeezed grapefruit and ACV with honey every day. I suggest if you are disliking the taste of it diluted in water that you should try this method instead. It suppressed my appetite a bit and I felt full quicker so I do think it worked. Either way, that was before I found out about all these other amazing benefits!

I have to say I love using it in my hair. I use a 2 part water and 1 part ACV for incredible shine. Mix the water and ACV and add to a spray bottle. Bring it in the shower or bath when you wash your hair and spray it in before conditioning. Leave it in for a minute or so. It smells a bit yuck but totally worth it! Once you wash it out with conditioner the smell goes away and you are left with an unbelievably shiny mane.

This is so cheap to buy in the health shop. Make sure it is pure and good quality. It is supposed to be cloudy, raw and unpasteurized. Organic and unfiltered brands are the only ones worth buying. If it is clear, most of the nutrients have been released so be sure to choose a good quality one. Ask at the health shop rather than buying at the supermarket if you are unsure. It can be used as a salad dressing, mixed with olive oil and used in cooking too.

See my post including my trusty ACV haircare here

Check out these weight loss wraps with ACV too!

Do yourself a favor and grab some, seriously.

I will be trying out a few skincare ideas with ACV in the coming months so stay tuned for that!

Chat soon!

Ciara x

20 Apple cider vinegar (ACV) uses for Health and Wellness by coolthingsilove.com

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16 Comments

  1. Hi Ciara!
    What a great post! Thank you for sharing, I will defiantly start using apple cider vinegar. Good to know that it does so many things to promote health and wellness!

    1. Hi Jen, that is great to know, glad to hear the ACV is working better than anything prescribed

  2. Great post! I’m curios about the detox with it. What do you do for that? Just a tbsp. straight up? I am definitely going to give some of these a try. Thanks!☺️

    1. Hi Debbie, it is best to mix a tablespoon of ACV in a glass of water with lemon and a sprinkle if cinnamon. It is a very strong taste so I tend to mix it with freshly squeezed juice instead though. Cheers

  3. Such a great post! I’ve heard so much about apple cider vinegar and the benefits but your post has helped so much!