John Myers
Apple cider vinegar is healthy and has many benefits. Apple cider vinegar, therefore, belongs in every household. It is good for digestion, helps with weight loss, and reduces food cravings. Buying it can be expensive, but making it yourself is a lot cheaper – and incredibly easy.
Easily make your own apple cider vinegar
Vinegar was used for disinfection and to treat pain as early as the 18th century. Columbus is also said to have taken vinegar with him on his travels to prevent scurvy, as it was believed that apple cider vinegar was high in vitamin C.
According to the US Department of Agriculture, apple cider vinegar not only has no measurable vitamin C, but also no vitamin A, vitamin B, or vitamin E content. Nevertheless, apple cider vinegar is more popular than ever, which is why some people prefer to make their own apple cider vinegar.
And even if apple cider vinegar hardly provides any vitamins, it nevertheless has numerous positive effects on the organism – whether due to its enzymes, its minerals and trace elements, or its organic acid is uncertain.
Apple cider vinegar promotes health
Here is a list of the main health benefits of apple cider vinegar:
Apple cider vinegar supports digestion
Stomach acid is particularly important for optimal digestion because it breaks down the food proteins and fights any pathogens contained in the food. Apple cider vinegar supports the formation of gastric acid, which means that the nutrients and vital substances supplied are better utilized.
This results in a faster feeling of satiety, as a study has shown. The test persons received 0.5 ml of apple cider vinegar per liter of body weight for four weeks – and experienced a significant weight loss as a positive additional effect.
Apple cider vinegar reduces cholesterol levels
The so-called chlorogenic acid in apple cider vinegar helps to lower cholesterol levels. In a study by the University of Medical Sciences in Iran, subjects were given apple cider vinegar with their normal diet for four weeks.
Even after this short period of time, reduced LDL cholesterol levels and reduced fatty acid levels were evident.
Apple cider vinegar can prevent diabetes
Drinking apple cider vinegar (diluted with water on an empty stomach) can also be very helpful for people suffering from diabetes. The above study also found that triglyceride (blood fat) levels had clearly decreased in the subjects.
However, the fasting blood sugar level did not change significantly, but the HbA1c values fell – the so-called long-term blood sugar, which is of great importance for diabetics.
Apple cider vinegar for beautiful hair
Some people also swear by using apple cider vinegar as a hair conditioner after washing their hair to make hair soft and shiny.
Apple cider vinegar in the home
Diluted apple cider vinegar is also suitable as a disinfectant for surfaces, for cleaning, and for descaling. And to remove chemical residues on fruits and vegetables, apple cider vinegar mixed with two parts water can also be used.
Recipe: Make apple cider vinegar yourself
To make your own apple cider vinegar you will need:
- a big bowl
- a rubber band
- a kitchen towel
- large jars
- Bottles for filling the vinegar
Tip: For sweeter apple cider vinegar, you can use sweet apples.
Ingredients
- Leftover apples (cores, peels, etc. – preferably from organic apples)
- water
The amount of about 4 large apples or the remains of about 8 apples make about 2 liters of vinegar.
Preparation
- Place all of the leftover apples in a large bowl and fill it with cold tap water until the leftover apples are covered with water by an inch.
- Cover the bowl with a kitchen towel, secure it with a rubber band and leave it to ferment in a cool place for about a week. Important: It is essential to stir every day so that no mold forms, but white foam, which is a sign that fermentation has started. If that takes too long, you can add a handful of sugar when preparing the apple cider vinegar, then you often have a foam after two days. The sugar is no longer present in the finished vinegar.
- As soon as the foam has formed (this should happen after a week at the latest), pour the mass through a kitchen towel and put the remaining apple mass on the compost.
- Fill the still unripe vinegar into large mason jars (preserving jars) and cover them with a cloth – do not screw on, so that the vinegar can breathe!
- Now leave the vinegar in a warm place (about 25°C) for another five to six weeks (you no longer have to stir it). During this time, the so-called “mother of vinegar” is formed. It first forms on the surface but then sinks.
- After six weeks, the vinegar has darkened. It definitely smells like apple cider vinegar.
- Don’t be surprised by the gel-like mass floating around, this is the “mother” and is completely harmless.
- Now fill the finished apple cider vinegar into bottles that you can seal tightly. The vinegar will keep for several months if closed. If you like naturally cloudy apple cider vinegar, bottle the nut as well. Alternatively, you can strain the nut and use it for a new vinegar batch. Keep your vinegar cool and shake vigorously before use! The finished vinegar will continue to mature a little during storage in the fridge.
Now enjoy your natural, homemade apple cider vinegar in healthy salads and in the applications described above.
