“Ew, Apple Cider Vinegar…”

A popular slightly-acidic liquid commonly used to add amazing flavour to salad dressings and marinades, apple cider vinegar holds a permanent place in our family pantry.

Not only is it a popular condiment-making item, it offers a plethora of health benefits too.

There is one caveat to this popular and incredibly healthy multipurpose fluid.

It smells like stinky 5 day-old toe jam and kinda burns the throat when going down.

Aside from the offensive foot odour and marginally painful experience, here are 3 good reasons to consider adding (organic) apple cider vinegar to your daily regime.

1. It Helps Balance The The Body’s Alkalinity

Maintaining optimal alkaline levels in the body is ideal. Although apple cider vinegar is acidic in nature, when digested it becomes alkaline and helps balance our system’s pH. When the body is in an acidic state, that environment is the perfect breeding ground for all kinds of diseases and illness.

I take 1TBSP with some honey (preferably high grade Manuka honey) in a small glass of water on an empty stomach in the mornings.

2. It Lowers Inflammation

Having an overlap connective tissue/autoimmune disease(s) and being a 9-year breast cancer survivor, I attempt to do everything I can to minimize inflammatory responses in my body. I consistently live with daily flares and I never know what I’m going to get each day I wake up. To have the highest quality of life, I am intentional about what I put in and on my body.

“Vinegar also has chemicals known as polyphenols. They help stop the cell damage that can lead to other diseases, like cancer. But studies on whether vinegar actually lowers your chances of having cancer are mixed.”-webmd.com

3. It’s Good For Gut Health

Apple cider vinegar is created via a fermenting process and fermented foods are beneficial for gut health due to the growth of the right type of microbes.

Good gut health equals good digestion and good digestion equals a good process of elimination of toxins.

As mindbodygreen.com puts it, “Consuming probiotic-rich fermented foods has been shown to improve digestion, boost the immune system, and even positively affect mental health.”

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It may be hard to take and seem really gross at first. You might have to plug your nose, add some (high grade Manuka) honey and hot water. And you may want to drink it from a reusable coffee thermos with a closeable lid (that’s waht my husband makes me do! ;).

My bet is that you will end up looking forward to it each new day and you may even notice your body feel stronger and healthier over time with consistent use.

Enjoy!

*Disclaimer- I am not a doctor and this blog is for educational purposes only — always consult with your health care provider before making changes.

-Becky