Apple cider vinegar is a delicious food that can be used to flavor salad or pickled food. However, it has been used for a long time to treat symptoms and conditions around your home, yourself, and your pets.
If you want to know the uses of apple cider vinegar, keep reading below. This article covers not only what apple cider vinegar is and its benefits, but also 27 ways you can use this liquid to your advantage.
What Is Apple Cider Vinegar?
Apple cider vinegar is made from apples, yeast, and sugar. The yeast and sugar allow for fermentation, which is what turns the mixture into vinegar. To put it simply, it is just fermented apple cider.
It is a product perfect for adding to salads, marinades, and other foods, but people have also used it for a variety of health problems. It has recently grown more popular for its health benefits though.
What Are the Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar?
There are a lot of health benefits of apple cider vinegar, with very few downsides. Some pros include:
• Can help with weight loss
• Can reduce spikes in blood sugar
• Hides varicose veins more
• Benefits hair, including getting rid of dandruff and scalp irritation.
• Improves body odor
• Reduces harmful bacteria
• Has many healthy nutrients
• Increases heart health
• Increases skin health
What Are the Side Effects of Apple Cider Vinegar?
The downsides of apple cider vinegar, in comparison, aren’t much and are only potential side effects.
• Can damage tooth enamel
• Can lower potassium and blood sugar
• Irritation to the throat
• Allergic reactions
27 Uses of Apple Cider Vinegar
7 Uses Around the House
1. Pickle Vegetables
Just like any other vinegar, apple cider vinegar can be used to pickle vegetables. Since it has a sweet and spicy taste to it, it is good to pickle foods that work with that flavor profile. Cucumber, onions, and something with a bit of a kick to it are all good choices.
2. Cleaning Products
One of the best uses for apple cider vinegar around the house is to clean with it. Apple cider vinegar and baking soda mixed with water and essential oils make a great-smelling all-purpose cleaner.
3. Eliminate Odors
Apple cider vinegar can be used as a deodorizing spray, though it works a little as an air and surface cleaner as well since it can help remove bacteria that may be on the surface.
To make a spray, add a little vinegar to a spray bottle and top the rest off with water. If you want there to be no smell, start with just a tablespoon or so. If you want it to add a good smell to the air as well, you can do more of a 50/50 mix.
4. Vegan Buttermilk
Buttermilk is hard to replace if you don’t use milk from a cow. But with apple cider vinegar, it is easy enough. All you have to do is mix in a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar into any plant milk you enjoy, about eight ounces or so. Let it sit for five minutes, and then you will have buttermilk to use with any recipe.
5. Salad Dressings
Apple cider vinegar makes an excellent salad dressing. Add some oil, and a few herbs, and you have a delicious dressing that works great on salad or pasta.
6. Eliminate Weeds
Whenever you have pesky weeds, just put pure apple cider vinegar into a spray bottle and spray it anywhere that weeds are growing. It may not be quite as perfect as store-bought methods, but it is free of herbicides and pesticides.
7. Prevent Fruit Flies
Pesky fruit flies get everywhere. But with apple cider vinegar, you can keep them away for good. All you have to do is put some apple cider vinegar in a shallow dish with a little water and some dish soap. Just place it wherever the flies are congregating and you should be good to go.
14 Uses For Your Health
1. Digestive Aid
Although it is an acid, apple cider vinegar promotes our stomach to produce its own acid. This means that you are increasing your ability to digest foods. To start, you want to take about a teaspoon a day. If you show no signs of ill effects, you can add more to your daily diet as desired.
2. Tooth Whitener
To whiten teeth, you just have to mix apple cider vinegar with some baking soda and brush your teeth with it like you would with toothpaste.
3. Reduce Acid Reflux Symptoms
There are not yet any tests done about the benefits of taking apple cider vinegar to ease acid reflux. However, many people say it is a well-known home remedy to help reduce both heartburn and acid reflux.
Usually, you just add a teaspoon or so into your water and drink.
4. Reduce Warts
Though this has never been researched in detail, another home remedy involves using apple cider vinegar to get rid of warts. The thought behind why it may work for some is the acidic nature of the vinegar.
5. Balance Blood Sugar
A small dose of apple cider vinegar a day can help to lower blood pressure and balance blood sugar in the body. All you have to do is take a tablespoon or two a day, or a little bit after every meal to get some of the benefits. It isn’t a replacement, but it can help aid in your recovery.
After eating a carb-heavy meal, using apple cider vinegar is said to reduce your blood sugar levels and improve your insulin sensitivity.
6. Weight Loss
Apple cider vinegar can also help with weight loss. Taking a few shots of apple cider vinegar twice a day has been shown to help people lose a few pounds. The reason behind it isn’t clear. Some people think the acid in the vinegar increases the metabolism. However, some scientists suggest that it is just because of a placebo, or because the vinegar makes them nauseous and less inclined to eat.
In addition to weight loss, the test also showed that apple cider vinegar can lower bad cholesterol while increasing good cholesterol.
7. Deodorant
Like with cleaning the house, apple cider vinegar can also be used to eliminate odors on the body. Many people say it is just as effective as commercial deodorants and is better for the body. All you have to do is wet a cloth or cotton ball with apple cider vinegar and wipe your armpits.
8. Reduce Bad Breath
Used as a mouthwash, it can also eliminate bad breath. Bacteria tend to be what causes bad breath, so having something that can eliminate the bacteria should help. It contains no alcohol and also tastes pretty good.
Use about one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in a little bit of warm or lukewarm water.
9. Clear Up Hair
Apple cider vinegar can be used as a shampoo or a conditioner. It can reduce dandruff and buildup. It also fights bacteria and fungi, which can further benefit your hair.
It also adds shine and detangles and is a healthy way to clean your hair if you are avoiding shampoo or can’t find a brand you like. A good place to start is two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with eight ounces of water, though you can adjust as necessary.
10. Help With Sore Throats
Since this vinegar has properties to help it fight off bacteria, you can use diluted apple cider vinegar to help with colds and sore throats. You can take a shot or two during the day to boost your immune system.
You can also use diluted apple cider vinegar and gargle it to reduce the pain in your throat. Be warned that if you have sores in your throat or mouth, then it may be a little painful, even when diluted.
11. Tone Skin
If you have oily skin and acne, apple cider vinegar can help. It works to eliminate oil and improve acne by fighting bacteria.
In addition to toning skin, apple cider vinegar can also be used to reduce dry and bumpy skin, like what comes with eczema. A small test should be done on the skin first to make sure, before using a lot of it. This is because some people are allergic.
12. Candida Treatment
If you have candida in the mouth, the antifungal benefits of apple cider vinegar can help if you ingest it and swish it around your mouth for a while.
13. Heals Pain From Insects and Plants
If something has caused you to have itchy or burning spots on your body, then apple cider vinegar can still come to the rescue. Things like bug bites, jellyfish stings, and poison ivy can all cause an uncomfortable and painful reaction in the body.
Using apple cider vinegar that has been heavily diluted can help reduce the stinging and itching for a time. Just make sure it is properly diluted, or it may sting on open wounds.
It can also be used to soothe a sunburn when diluted. Just gently wipe the diluted mixture on sunburned areas, or put it into a spray bottle and spray the affected areas.
14. Reduce Foot Fungus
Like with fungus in the mouth, if you have fungus on your feet or in your toes, apple cider can help. Just soak your feet in a mixture of apple cider and water, or rub it onto your feet.
6 Uses For Your Pets
Pets can have apple cider vinegar too. They don’t need a lot, probably no more than about ½ a teaspoon or so a day to ingest and help with internal issues.
However, before using, you have to make sure that you have a safe kind of apple cider vinegar for your pets. You absolutely must not get one with xylitol as it can be very dangerous for pets. You also want to make sure there is no flavor and it is as natural as possible.
1. Get Rid of Fleas
Apple cider vinegar can keep away pests that bother your pets like mites and fleas. Most people prefer to do this in two ways. You can spray your pet down or rub them down to help keep away and get rid of fleas and mites. This is because they don’t like the smell, or the acid from the vinegar.
You can also put a small splash of apple cider vinegar into your pet’s water. For rabbits, this causes them to smell different than normal so they are no longer attractive to mites that like to get in their ears. It also works for other pets like dogs and cats.
2. Reduce Pain on Hot Spots
Making a spray can also be used to reduce pain and hotspots on your pet. If they have a dry or itchy area, or one that is uncomfortable, you can take a spray bottle or wipe that has about 50% apple cider vinegar and 50% distilled or filtered water to act as a soothing balm or spray on your pet.
Always make sure there are no open wounds or infections otherwise you risk injuring your pet and making them uncomfortable.
3. Reduce Risks of UTIs
Due to the way apple cider vinegar can help to regulate the pH in the body, it also poses a way to reduce the risks of UTI. All you have to do is give your pet a tablespoon or two of apple cider vinegar mixed with water every day.
The easiest way to do this is to just put a little bit of apple cider vinegar in their water bowl.
4. Cleans Ears
Some breeds of dogs get chronic ear infections, such as bulldogs and pugs. Using apple cider vinegar to clean out their ears regularly can help to both prevent and treat ear infections.
The most common method is to have a ratio of 1-to-1 of clean, distilled water and apple cider vinegar is best. Then you can put some on a cotton ball or a small cloth and use it to gently wipe out your dog’s ears. This can be done with other animals as well but dogs are the most common.
However, make sure there are no open wounds or infections in the ear before starting. Vinegar is an acid so it will cause pain and discomfort in the area where the wound is. Additionally, if the mixture seems to be too strong for your pet, you can dilute the mixture further.
5. Helps the Gut
Apple cider vinegar has benefits for the gut as well. It can help the immune system, balance the gut’s pH, and has been shown to reduce allergies and increase coat health. It is best to start in small doses diluted with a lot of water.
One of the reasons this is beneficial, especially with dogs, is because most animals that eat meat tend to have a little bit more of an acidic pH in their stomach. However, the grains often given to dogs in dog food tend to make the stomach more alkaline, which doesn’t always do well for their stomach.
Even when your pet is more used to getting a daily amount of apple cider vinegar, you should never do more than a 50% mixture. What a lot of people do is just throw a splash or two into their water bowl.
6. Eliminates Dandruff
Some animals get dandruff, just like people. You can use apple cider vinegar in your pet’s bath to help soothe the skin and reduce any dandruff.
Not only does the vinegar help by balancing out the pH of the skin, but it also has antimicrobial and antiseptic properties.
There are two ways you can use apple cider vinegar to reduce dandruff. The first is by simply rubbing it into your dog’s fur during a bath. The second is to fill a spray bottle half with apple cider vinegar and half water. Then you can just spray your dog occasionally between baths to extend the longevity.
