5 Reasons You Should Try Apple Cider Vinegar For Health

Apple cider vinegar for health is a popular topic, but what sort of apple cider vinegar should you look for? As with most of our choices - we opt for the ones that have the least interventions, like raw and organic. In the supermarkets there are a variety of options like; Ceres, Chantal and Goulter's. They also have the ‘mother’ within the vinegar which adds to the probiotic bacteria.

While we love apple cider vinegar as we use it in our functional vinegar range - we are well aware it is not a cure all (despite all the media, gummies and articles you may have seen). 

You should be wary of ingesting large amounts of vinegar or drinking it straight as it can effect the enamel on your teeth. If you do have it neat (like we do at times) always follow it with a bit of water.

In saying that though - there are plenty of studies documenting the health benefits of apple cider vinegar for blood sugar balance and digestion. Here are a few reasons why you could benefit from using apple cider vinegar for your health.

Apple cider vinegar is the key ingredient in our Fire Cider and Switchel. Not only does it taste great, but it's also incredibly versatile. You can use it in so many different ways. If you are considering using apple cider vinegar for health you can get some recipe ideas here. 

It adds flavour to a variety of things like salads, spreads, protein and meats. It is full of flavonoids, and has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can help with preserving food. In our modern diets we often forget to add in high antioxidant foods which can help with oxidative stress from processed foods, stress, lack of sleep and ill health. 

Switchel - Our Switchel doesn't just provide amazing digestive and immune support, it's also a great way to help your energy levels! It supports hydration levels, which means your cells can function more efficiently. The antioxidants in the elderberries support you through an active and busy day. And the ginger supports circulation, boosting the movement of oxygen and nutrients around the body.

Fire Cider - Our Fire Cider has a kick that's uniquely New Zealand. While we've used the traditional horseradish, cayenne, garlic and onion, we've also added some powerful New Zealand natives: kawakawa and horopito. 

You can use Fire Cider to support digestion - taken before meals to help support digestive function. It is helpful if you suffer from bloating and indigestion. It supports circulation and can warm you up on a cold morning. Plus it's great at helping clear sinuses or clear a ‘stuffy’ head when you are feeling under the weather.

What you start the day with is very important. That's because your body works hard to balance your blood sugars, and what you eat can either help or hinder this process.

If you reach for the fruit loops or a sugary coffee first thing, your day begins with a massive blood sugar spike as the glucose from the food is released straight into your bloodstream. What follows is a dramatic dip in blood sugars. This is why you experience a blast of energy from the cereal, but an hour later, you're reaching for some chocolate to help prop you back up again.

Starting the day with a protein-rich meal is not new advice, nor is having apple cider vinegar before meals, but why is it recommended?

One of the reasons people recommend apple cider vinegar for health is because it helps regulate blood sugar. Vinegar contains acetic acid, which is key in supporting glucose management. In fact, drinking a tablespoon of vinegar in water before a meal can help reduce blood sugar spikes by a whopping 30%!

You must address blood sugar spikes because constant fluctuations in your blood sugar levels can lead to excess inflammation within the body, poor digestion and leave you feeling lethargic and irritable.

While the burst of energy from the sugar can be momentarily helpful, what follows is even more fatigue, as that available 'fuel' in your body has been utilised, leaving you with minimal reserves. You then need extra fuel. That's why you'll find yourself reaching for more sugar - and the cycle continues throughout the day.

What you need to focus on is sustained energy throughout the day. This is why increasing whole grains or complex carbohydrates in your diet is important. When you consume products that have a high fibre content, it slows down the release of glucose, leading to a more level of blood sugar, and the extra addition of vinegar and its acetic acid further helps to maintain a more balanced blood sugar.

So, for tomorrow's breakfast, try eating something hearty with a side of apple cider vinegar for health!

🌿Related: Summer Skin Health Naturally

Apple cider vinegar is acidic therefore it can help reduce pathogens and bacteria. It has been used for cleaning and disinfecting for centuries. Hippocrates used vinegar to clean wounds more than 2,000 years ago! This is why people also use vinegar as a food preservative as the acetic acid within the vinegar has been shown to inhibit bacteria like E. coli within food.

There are many ways of using apple cider vinegar to help clean your house and also freshen up laundry - using more natural products around the home and on things close to your skin (like clothes) can help reduce the use of synthetic or chemical cleaners.

Liljeberg H, Fjorck I. 1998. Delayed gastric emptying rate may explain improved glycaemia in healthy subjects to a starchy meal with added vinegar. Eur J Clin Nutr 52:368–7

Ogawa N, Satsu H, Watanabe H, Fukaya M, Tsukamoto Y, Miyamoto Y, Shimizu M. 2000b. Acetic acid suppresses the increase in disaccharidase activity that occurs during culture of caco-2 cells. J Nutr 130:507–13