Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar benefits have a ton of different beauty, household, and cooking uses like cleaning, washing hair, preserving food, and enhancing skin function.

You can also use apple cider vinegar in various recipes like soups, salad dressings, sauces, hot drinks, and more.

Apple Cider Vinegar Uses

To lower blood sugar

Apple cider vinegar is claimed to help people manage their blood sugar levels.

Some studies show that consuming vinegar after a high carb meal can boost insulin sensitivity by about 34% and lower blood sugar levels significantly.

But check with a healthcare professional before taking apple cider vinegar if you are on medications.

To preserve food

Apple cider vinegar is an effective preservative.

It makes food more acidic, which deactivates its enzymes and kills any bacteria that can cause spoilage.

As a deodorizer

Apple cider vinegar is very well known to have antibacterial properties. So you can try this by mixing 1 part apple cider vinegar with 1 part water to make a deodorizing spray. This makes a natural option for odour neutralizers.

To soothe a sore throat

Gargling a few times a day with apple cider vinegar is a popular remedy for sore throats.

It is thought that its antibacterial properties could help kill the bacteria that could be the leading cause of sore throat.

If you try this, make sure you mix the vinegar with enough water before gargling as apple cider vinegar is very acidic and can cause throat burns when consumed undiluted.

As a facial toner

Many people use apple cider vinegar to make a skin tonic which includes 1 part apple cider vinegar to 2 parts water. Apply this to your skin with a cotton ball. If you have sensitive skin, make a more diluted solution by adding more water.

As a marinade

Apple cider vinegar is a popular ingredient in many steak marinades as it gives a nice sweet-and-sour flavour.

To wash fruits and vegetables

Due to various pesticides and bacteria in food, some people like to wash their fruits and vegetables in apple cider vinegar.

Although it’s not completely clear whether it removes more pesticides than simply washing with water, it may help kill some dangerous bacteria in food like E. coli and Salmonella.

In the bath

If you want to try this in your bathing regime, add 1–2 cups of ACV to your bath water and enjoy a soak in your tub. Be sure to dilute the ACV properly. Don't add too much vinegar as it might irritate your skin.

As a hair rinse

An apple cider vinegar hair rinse is said to remove product buildup, detangle, and add lustre to your hair. Try mixing 1 part apple cider vinegar with 1 part water and pour the mix onto your hair. Leave it in for a few minutes and wash it properly afterwards.

As a dandruff treatment

Massaging diluted ACV into your scalp may help you get rid of dandruff. The acid present in the apple cider vinegar could help stop the growth of the fungus Malassezia, which may cause dandruff.

As a weed killer

Spray undiluted ACV on unwanted weeds in your garden to get rid of them. You can also try mixing it with lemon juice and soap to see if that makes it more effective or not.

As a mouthwash

Apple cider vinegar's antibacterial properties may help with bad breath.

Dilute 1 tbsp of ACV with 1 cup of water and use it as a mouthwash to get rid of bad breath.

To clean your toothbrush

Apple cider vinegar has antibacterial properties and can also be used as a homemade cleaner for your toothbrush.

To make your toothbrush cleaner, mix half a cup of water with 2 tbsp (30 ml) apple cider vinegar and 2 tsp baking soda. Mix well, and leave the head of your toothbrush in the mix for around 30 minutes.

Always rinse your brush well with water before using it else the acidity of undiluted vinegar can damage your teeth.

To treat acne

Dabbing small amounts of diluted apple cider vinegar onto pimples is claimed to be the best way to get rid of acne. Avoid using undiluted apple cider vinegar as it is strongly acidic and putting it directly onto your skin can cause severe burns.

To get rid of warts

Apple cider vinegar is likely effective for removing warts from the skin, due to its acidic nature. But this method is very painful so be cautious.

As a dish detergent

Adding apple cider vinegar to the rinsing liquid or the dishwasher could help kill off any unwanted bacteria and keep them clean.

To make an all-purpose cleaner

Apple cider vinegar is a very popular choice being a natural alternative to commercial cleaning agents due to its antibacterial properties.

Mix 1 cup of water with half a cup of apple cider vinegar to have your natural all-purpose cleaner. But do remember ACV isn’t as effective at killing harmful bacteria as commercial cleaning agents

Take Away

Apple cider vinegar is a versatile household item that has a lot of different uses. It can be a very simple and cheap way to tackle many problems around you.