Apple cider vinegar isn’t just an ingredient that you can use in your salad to give it a flavor boost, it has loads of health properties that are beneficial to your body as well. In fact, apple cider vinegar’s medicinal uses date back to ancient times – rumors have it that even Hippocrates himself was known to use it!
The fermented liquid made of crushed apples is abundant in various types of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. These elements are what’s responsible for apple cider vinegar being known to help in anything from the cure a sore throat to maintaining good hair and skin, and even keeping your cardiovascular system and blood sugar levels healthy!
Here are some surprising ways you can use apple cider vinegar that you probably weren’t aware of:
1. Digestive Aid
Had a heavy meal that isn’t making it’s way quite as well down the digestive path? Give it a bit of a boost by drinking a digestive tonic made using 2 tbsp ACV, 1 glass of water, 1 tbsp each of ginger, water, and lemon juice. Add some honey and some ice for added taste. Not only do you have a delicious, all-natural drink, your stomach troubles will wash away. Trust us, your stomach will thank you for it.
2. Dandruff Destroyer
Dandruff is truly a nightmare that is not just uncomfortable and unsightly but is also expensive to deal with. Well, we’ve got a stress-free and budget-friendly solution for you! All you need is a mixture of equal parts ACV and water. After shampooing your hair, use a spray bottle to apply this solution on and let it sit for 25 minutes before rinsing off. Repeat twice a week and forget about your dandruff woes.
3. Deodorant
The anti-bacterial properties of apple cider vinegar are said to have the ability to eliminate unpleasant odors. Although there’s no research to back this claim, it’s still worth a try! Make a spray with equal parts ACV and water and spray it on the parts of your body that smell bad. Or a mixture of Epson salt, water, and ACV makes a DIY foot soak that’ll make your smelly feet not smell so smelly!
4. Hiccup Cure
Having the hiccups is annoying, and sometimes hard to get rid of no matter how much water you drink. One of the quickest ways to stop your hiccups is to swallow a spoonful of good old apple cider vinegar. The sourness of its “surprises” the nerves in your throat that are causing the hiccups, thus “distracting” them and causing them to stop.
5. Remove Moles & Skin Tags
Moles and skin tags are unsightly, and if you want to get rid of them you have to go to the doctor. But who has the time or money to do that? ACV to the rescue! One surprisingly simple solution is to cover your mole with a piece of cotton that has been slightly dampened with apple cider vinegar, secure it with a band-aid, and leave it overnight. Apparently, it should just fall right off!
6. Polish Old Jewelry
Have some old jewelry lying around that’s lost its color? Mix a cup of apple cider vinegar with 4 tablespoons baking soda and let the jewelry soak in the solution for a few hours. Take them out and rinse with clean water before drying and rubbing them gently with a clean cloth and just watch them shine!
7. Dental Hygiene Assistant
Get your pearly whites looking pearly and white, and get the ultimate picture perfect smile with the help of apple cider vinegar. Make a solution of ½ tablespoon ACV to a cup of water and use this mixture as a mouthwash. Gargle your mouth with it after brushing your teeth for whitening or even in between meals to get rid of bad breath. It’s also said that ACV is a better alternative to chemical solutions for cleaning dentures!
8. Soothe Sunburn
A day at the beach sounds fun until you come home burnt to a crisp because you accidentally fell asleep without any sunscreen on. Well, fret not, ’cause apple cider vinegar can be great in helping reestablish your skin’s pH levels, which will soothe the burn. You can either make a solution of ½ cup ACV to 4 cups water, and use a washcloth to soak and massage it onto your skin for a while, or simply add a couple cups of ACV straight into your bath water.
9. Weight Loss Aid
Many studies suggest that apple cider vinegar can be a great friend in your weight loss journey. The acetic acid in ACV is theorized to make you feel full with less food, therefore making you eat fewer calories. Along with curbing your appetite, it has also been said to increase metabolism and reduce water retention. Scientists even postulate that ACV may change the way your body digests starch, causing less of it to enter the bloodstream – and all of that sounds like good news to someone struggling to lose weight!
