Vintage Apple Cider Vinegar: Fowey Valley's Super Food
Apple cider vinegar has various healthful properties, including antimicrobial and antioxidant effects. Evidence suggests it may offer health benefits, such as aiding weight loss, reducing cholesterol, lowering blood sugar levels, and even improving the symptoms of diabetes!
Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, used vinegar to clean wounds and relieving coughs more than 2,000 years ago. So why has this folk remedy remained popular since Ancient Greece?
It could help improve digestion. Like other fermented foods, unpasteurised apple cider vinegar contains healthy bacteria – the gut-friendly bacteria that helps to keep your digestive system working properly. Cider vinegar could provide relief for those with stomach problems like indigestion or heartburn.
It could support your immune system. Prevention is better than cure, so protecting your immune system means you’re more likely to ward off diseases and infections. And here’s where the healthy bacteria in raw cider vinegar come into play. Some studies have found that healthy bacteria could help you recover sooner if you do get sick.
It could help boost the condition of your hair. If you have dry, brittle hair or an itchy scalp, replacing your usual shampoo with a bottle of unfiltered cider vinegar could give you more manageable tresses. Research found that using high alkaline shampoos leads to hair breakage and dryness. The acetic acid in The Mother is thought to help lower our hair’s pH to combat that dry, frizzy feel. Plus, raw cider vinegar is antimicrobial which means it may help control bacteria which leads to scalp itchiness.
It could help improve your skin and nail health. Thanks to its natural antibacterial and antifungal properties, apple cider vinegar is used as a natural treatment for healthier skin and nails. Applied as a toner, it may help to balance the skin’s pH and has an exfoliating effect that smooths and softens. And, for rough, cracked heels or mild fungal nail infections, apple cider vinegar is commonly used as a foot soak.
It helps lower blood sugar levels. Keeping your blood sugar levels in check is important and studies have shown that the acetic acid found in cider vinegar could be beneficial. In fact, drinking 4 diluted teaspoons of vinegar before a high-carb meal helped to prevent blood sugar spikes.
Vinegar is delicious drizzled on your Friday night fish and chips, but for something a little different, here are some wonderful ways to get the most out of apple cider vinegar.
Try it as a a daily drink. Stir two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar into a large glass of water before bedtime. But remember, always dilute it before drinking. On its own, vinegar’s acidic nature means it can be harsh on your throat and damage your teeth.
Or an alternative to salt. Trying to cut down on your sodium intake? Swap salt for a dash of apple cider vinegar to enhance the flavour of your usual meals.
As a salad dressing. Whisk it together with olive oil, honey and lemon juice drizzled over crisp salad leaves.
Even as a steam facial treatment. Facial steaming opens your pores and helps to clear impurities. To take your treatment to the next level, simply add two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar to a bowl of hot, boiled water. Cover your head with a towel and sit over the steam for up to 15 minutes. When you’re done splash your face with cool water and gently pat your skin dry.
As a skin cleanser and toner. Why not switch your usual skin care products for an all-natural alternative? After rinsing your face with water, finish by wiping with a solution of equal parts water and vinegar. Before attempting this, do a patch test to prevent any skin irritation.
And as a cleansing hair rinse. For a boost of moisture and shine that soothes an itchy scalp, apple cider vinegar is just the thing for thirsty hair. First, mix equal quantities of apple cider vinegar and water in a bottle. After washing your hair as usual, pour on the mix then rinse with water for softer, cleansed hair.
Finally, as a foot soak. There’s nothing like an at-home spa treatment after a long day. And if you’re dealing with cracked heels, foot odour or fungal infections, soaking your feet in unfiltered apple cider vinegar could help. To try, add one-part vinegar and two parts warm water to your foot bath. Soak for 10 to 15 minutes for smooth, silky skin.
Vinegar is also a food preservative, and studies show that it inhibits bacteria like E. coli from growing in and spoiling food. At 5%, our Vintage Cider Vinegar is the perfect strength for this. So if you’re looking for a natural way to preserve your food, look no further!
