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Is Apple Cider Vinegar Good for Detox? (+Benefits of Detoxing with ACV)
Many argue that one of the best ways to become successful in life is to prioritize health above all things.
When you’re healthy, you’re able to think more clearly and you have more energy throughout the day. You also tend to get sick less, and you become more productive and efficient at tasks. Unfortunately, making lifestyle choices that promote good health is much easier said than done.
Today, fast food is everywhere and supermarkets are packed with ready-to-eat meals. Even though these meals may be cheaper and more convenient to consume than home-cooked meals, they’re filled with empty calories, refined sugars, preservatives and artificial ingredients. Regularly consuming these types of food may pose negative effects on your health.
As a result, more individuals have been utilizing total body cleanses, also know as detoxes.
A detox is the act of abstaining from unhealthy substances as well as ridding the body of all harmful impurities. Many people use detoxes to lose weight and/or improve their general health.
Apple Cider Vinegar Detox
There are many different methods and protocols used for detoxification. A detox ingredient quickly gaining in popularity is apple cider vinegar.
This ancient fermented substance dates back to earlier than 5,000 BC. (1) More often than not, you’ve probably heard about the incredible health benefits one can attain by regular consumption of apple cider vinegar. It’s also a common household ingredient that’s probably sitting in your food pantry at this very moment.
Making use of apple cider vinegar is a great way to boost your detox plan without adding a significant of calories.
Why Apple Cider Vinegar?
Apple cider vinegar is a truly natural product with no calories, no fat, no cholesterol, no additives and no artificial ingredients.
Through the years, apple cider vinegar has been proven to balance and cleanse the digestive system, burn fat, boost your metabolism, lower blood sugar levels, decrease insulin levels, and reduce fat storage, just to name a few. (2)
The use of apple cider vinegar dates back to ancient Roman, Greek and Indian civilizations. For example, around 400 BC, Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, used to prescribe apple cider vinegar mixed with honey for a variety of coughs, colds and other common ailments. The idea of detoxing to get rid of unhealthy toxins has been around for centuries.
By comparison, the ancient lifestyle had natural unprocessed foods, active lifestyles, and minimal exposure to chemicals and pollution. Though times have changed, this basic detox regimen of our ancestors is still very effective today.
Whether you’re detoxing to lose weight, reverse a disease, or to jumpstart your way into a healthier lifestyle, apple cider vinegar can help.
How is Apple Cider Vinegar Made?
Apple cider vinegar is made from fermented apples.
Like all fermented products, it is made with active yeast combined with sugar. However, in the case of apple cider vinegar, it is made with the naturally occurring sugars found in apples. (3)
Not all apple cider vinegar products are created equally. Some are better than others, especially if you’re consuming it for reasons other than taste.
What to Look for in Your Apple Cider Vinegar Product?
Be sure to use an organic, high-quality brand of apple cider vinegar in order to receive the full benefits of this amazing detox protocol.
When searching for a good quality brand of apple cider vinegar, make sure to look out for the “Mother” written on the label. Apple cider vinegar bottles with the Mother printed on them are brands that have a culture of good bacteria in the product.
The culture of good bacteria has a cobweb-like appearance and contains an amino acid substance found in unprocessed, unfiltered apple cider vinegar. The bacteria can be seen with the naked eye upon inspecting the product.
Bear in mind that the contents of the bottle may appear murky but the murkier, the better.
7 Benefits of Detoxing with Apple Cider Vinegar:
1. Apple Cider Vinegar Can Help Balance and Cleanse the Digestive System
Apple cider vinegar may be the perfect solution for digestive issues. Apple cider vinegar is naturally acidic and contains enzymes that encourage the production of healthy gut bacteria.
Encouraging the growth of natural enzymes in the digestive tract is important for efficient digestive function and overall gut health.
With the help of the natural enzymes, healthy bacteria can break down food easier, allowing the body to absorb more nutrients and get rid of excess toxins and impurities.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar Can Help Burn Fat
Consuming apple cider vinegar before meals may help burn more fat. (4) According to a study done on rodents, an increase in the genes responsible for fat burning leading to less body fat were found in mice that were given vinegar for six weeks and were fed a high-fat diet.
Similar studies have been done on humans and results showed a significant decrease in waist circumference and visceral fat amongst others factors. The results show the reduced likelihood of developing metabolic syndrome by reducing obesity.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar Boosts Your Metabolism
When it comes to detoxing for weight loss, apple cider vinegar is often suggested since it has the ability to boost your metabolism. (5)
What does your metabolism do? Basically, your metabolism is responsible for the amount of energy (in the form of calories) your body burns to maintain weight and vital function.
Think of it as your body’s thermostat. Individuals with faster metabolisms are able to eat more without gaining too much excess weight and fat. Those with slower metabolisms may have to be more cautious when it comes to how many calories he or she consumes in a single day since the person is more prone to weight gain.
Some factors that affect the speed of one’s metabolism are exercise, food choices, stress levels, climate and sleep. Fortunately, a daily shot of raw apple cider vinegar has the ability to speed up one’s metabolism.
4. Apple Cider Vinegar Helps Lower Blood Sugar Levels
Drinking apple cider vinegar before a high-carb meal helps manage and lower blood sugar levels. (6) Research has shown that apple cider vinegar may have physical effects similar to those found in medications for treating diabetes such as metformin and acarbose. (7)
These findings indicate that apple cider vinegar has the amazing ability to keep blood glucose levels regulated. Additionally, lowering blood sugar levels will aid the body in burning stubborn fat.
If you are currently living with diabetes or have a family history of diabetes, adding apple cider vinegar to your diet may help prevent or improve your condition tremendously.
5. Apple Cider Vinegar Helps to Promote Alkalinity in the Body
Consuming apple cider vinegar helps to regulate your body’s pH levels because it contains acetic acid.
Balancing your bodies pH levels has been shown to reduce the risk of illnesses such as various cancers and inflammatory diseases. Also, when the body is in a alkaline state, you may experience a noticeable increase in energy levels.
6. Apple Cider Vinegar Stimulates Immune Support
Apple cider vinegar helps in detoxifying the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is a network of organs and tissues that rids the body of waste, impurities and harmful toxins. (8) The immune system gets a boost when the lymphatic system is functioning efficiently.
Our immune system is the first line of defense when it comes to protecting our bodies from illnesses. In order to make the most out of boosting the immune system, a healthy diet with lots of fruits and vegetables should be supplemented with a daily dose of apple cider vinegar.
7. Apple Cider Vinegar Helps to Relieve Heartburn
Aside from heartburn being a common negative side effect to any detox plan, it is also a condition many people suffer from on a regular basis.
Theories suggest that heartburn is brought on by stomach acid refluxing into the esophagus. (9) Consuming foods that stimulate the production of stomach acid may exacerbate heartburn symptoms. These include alcohol, caffeine, carbonated drinks, acidic foods, chocolate, and acidic juices.
By consuming apple cider vinegar, you are helping to neutralize stomach acid levels.
Make sure to take a dose of apple cider vinegar diluted in warm water as soon as you feel the symptoms of heartburn or acid reflux.
Apple Cider Vinegar Detox Drink Recipe
If you want to detox your body fast, lose body fat, and boost your metabolism, try this recipe and reap the many health benefits:
- 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
- 12 oz. warm water
- 2 tbsp. of lemon juice
- ¼ tsp. of cinnamon
- 1 tsp. of ground ginger
- 1 tbsp. of honey (optional)
The Protocol
Mix the ingredients listed above and take up to three doses a day before each meal.
Many individuals have found that consuming 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar mixed with warm water upon waking enhances the effects of the detox.
The Final Word
A detox diet helps to rid the body of any toxins that may have built up over time. Though the kidneys and liver are responsible for regularly filtering out waste, there’s no harm in providing support to these vital organs.
If you’re worried about the amount of toxins you are consuming, it’s important to take a look at your diet. If the foods you are consuming are made up of mostly whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and healthy fats, then there is not much need for you to do a detox.
However, if you eat a diet that is high in processed foods and you are exposed to environmental toxins on a regular basis, a detox may assist in preserving overall health and wellness, especially if you are experiencing signs of toxin build-up.