Research suggests that the healing nutrients in apples may reduce the risk of colon cancer, prostate cancer, and lung cancer. That alone is an amazing accomplishment for one single fruit. But now researchers have discovered that apple cider vinegar also has some pretty amazing health benefits. In a clinical trial published a few weeks ago, researchers had this health news to report: apple cider vinegar could help to reduce triglyceride levels.
Triglycerides are chemical compounds digested by your body to provide it with the energy for metabolism. Triglycerides are the most common form of fat that you digest, and are the main ingredient in vegetable oils and animal fats. Elevated triglyceride levels are a risk factor for atherosclerosis, the narrowing of arteries with the buildup of fatty plaques that may lead to heart attack, stroke, and peripheral artery disease. Markedly elevated triglyceride levels may also cause fatty liver disease and pancreatitis.
For the study, red delicious apples were used to produce natural apple cider vinegar. Traditional methods were then applied to make vinegar from apple ciders. The apple cider vinegar was administered to various groups of rats, except the control group. The researchers found that the apple cider vinegars, regardless of the production method, decreased triglyceride levels in all groups when compared to animals on high-cholesterol diets without vinegar supplementation.
Apple cider vinegar may also be beneficial in helping to restore alkaline acid balance. The theory behind the alkaline diet is that your blood is slightly alkaline (with a normal pH level of between 7.35 and 7.45) and that your diet should reflect this pH level.
Some medical experts believe that a diet high in acid-producing foods leads to:
- Lack of energy
- Excessive mucous production
- Infections
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Nasal and sinus congestion
- Allergic reactions
- and increased risk of conditions such as arthritis and gout.
Despite being an acidic solution, apple cider vinegar is thought have an alkalinizing effect on the body and in this way could be considered a health food. One to two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar in water could be used as a daily health tonic to balance pH levels. Although this is a popular remedy, its effectiveness hasn’t been proven in any substantial clinical trials.
One final note: buy organic apple cider vinegar if you can. Apples used in the making of vinegar may contain traces of chemicals from pesticides and fungicides if they are not organic.
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