Apple cider vinegar is an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and health promoting compounds. It is rich in phosphorus, calcium, sodium, potassium, iron, magnesium, chlorine, and b-vitamins.
Unpasteurized apple cider vinegar also contains pectin and malic acid. Most importantly, apple cider vinegar contains “mother” – the active ingredient most responsible for its health effects.
Apple cider vinegar made from the double fermentation of whole apples should be used, and it should not be distilled, filtered or pasteurized as these extra processing steps destroy many of the vitamins, nutrients and fermentation products that are thought to be important elements in apple cider vinegar’s health benefits and weight loss properties.
While its effectiveness as a weight-loss aide is questionable, and while no scientific studies support the use of apple cider vinegar for weight maintenance or weight reduction, many still continue to believe that apple cider vinegar prevents weight gain by aiding digestion, speeding gastric emptying, and aiding in energy release.
Most apple cider vinegar weight loss home remedies recommend taking of one or two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water before each meal. Rapid weight loss is not to be expected, the weight will be lost gradually, as it should be to allow the body’s fat cells to adjust to their new size.
Inconsistency and inaccuracy in labeling was found after eight different apple cider vinegar tablet products were tested for pH, component acid content, and microbial growth, thus only reputable brand names are recommended.
Bragg’s organic certified apple cider vinegar is available online from Amazon.
References:
1. Laura L. Hill, et al. Esophageal Injury by Apple Cider Vinegar Tablets and Subsequent Evaluation of Products. Journal of the American Dietetic Association. Volume 105, Issue 7, July 2005.
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