8 Interesting Facts about Apple Cider Vinegar You Probably Didn't Know

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is probably one of my favourite everyday superfoods (see my reel on Instagram!) – not only does it add amazing flavour to food, but it also has incredible health benefits. I’ve commented on the benefits of this wonder liquid in many of my previous posts and videos, but I’ve yet to highlight its other great uses.

Not only is ACV a fantastic digestive aid (perhaps its most well-known attribute), but it has a slew of other helpful uses that will have you reaching for that bottle much more often.

However, not all apple cider vinegars are created equal, which is why I’ll also share my top tips on shopping for the healthiest, most amazing ACV you can find. The best part is that even the most high quality apple cider vinegar isn’t going to break the bank. That’s another reason it’s one of my favourite staple superfoods–it’s affordable and accessible to virtually everyone.

So today I’m going to share a little more about what apple cider vinegar actually is, some interesting facts about this miracle superfood, and how to choose the best quality ACV for your needs.

Apple cider vinegar is classified as a fermented food, so long as you buy it unpasteurized. In fact, it actually goes through a double fermentation process in order to create the magical little elixir loaded with health benefits for everything from our microbiome to our hair.

To create apple cider vinegar, first apples need to be juiced. That juice is then combined with specific strains of yeast that digest the sugar molecules and turn them into alcohol. After that process has been completed, strains of bacteria are then added who digest and ferment the alcohol into acetic acid.

As we’ll see below the acetic acid and bacteria and yeasts are what give ACV its super powers!

After reading these 8 interesting facts about apple cider vinegar, you’ll be convinced that it should become a superfood kitchen staple!

Whether you’re an avid gardener or want to make sure you have the freshest breath on your next date, here are 8 interesting facts about apple cider vinegar you may not have known about.

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Apple cider vinegar has an anti-glycemic effect and can block the digestion of some starch, helping to keep blood sugar levels on an even keel. In fact, Jesse Inchauspe, the Glucose Goddess shared that one of her most powerful blood sugar balancing hacks is taking a tablespoon of vinegar in water before your meal. Taking that little bit of apple cider vinegar before you eat can cut your glucose spike by up to 30%! If you want to learn more great tips for balancing your blood sugar you can listen to her podcast episode right here.

Making sure your blood sugar is balanced is incredibly important for joyous health, including healthy skin, stable energy and so much more, including my next point.

A Japanese study showed that those who consumed apple cider vinegar in a drink mixture every day for 12 weeks lost slightly more weight than those who didn’t. This may be because components of apple cider vinegar could turn on certain genes involved in breaking down fats.

Unfiltered apple cider vinegar contains probiotics that help cultivate a healthy balance of good bacteria to help fight whatever nastiness is taking place in your gut. By taking it regularly, it can also promote overall digestive health by supporting a healthy and happy microbiome. The benefits of a balanced microbiome move beyond just digestion to immune support and mental health. Learn more here and here. 

Apple cider vinegar promotes overall digestive health by supporting a balanced and happy microbiome.

Apple cider vinegar is a non-toxic, odor-absorbing, antibacterial alternative to harsh chemicals; just mix 1 part ACV to 1 part water and clean away! You can also add some of your favourite essential oils for extra cleaning power and an all-natural scent. These are my five must-have essential oils for a clean house!

Apple cider vinegar can kill weeds in your garden while acting as an effective herbicide for plants that like an acidic environment. Since many pesticides and herbicides can contain hormone-disrupting chemicals, choosing a natural alternative is a great way to protect yourself and your plants.

The enzymes and minerals in apple cider vinegar make it a great addition to homemade energy drinks, which are so much better for you than those neon-coloured, additive-filled store-bought ones. You can try combining ¼ cup ACV with 1 litre of water, a splash or two of maple syrup, a squeeze of lemon or lime, and some fresh ginger for an all-natural electrolyte-rich energy drink that’s perfect for hot summer days!

Apple cider vinegar may help improve lymph circulation and contains enzymes that support digestion. The lymphatic system is a network of vessels that transport important molecules to be cleansed by the lymphatic organs (spleen, thymus gland, lymph nodes, liver and tonsils). You can learn more about the lymphatic system here. Another great way to stimulate your lymphatic system is by dry skin brushing.

The antibacterial properties of apple cider vinegar can kill the bad bacteria that can cause bad breath. It’s also a much healthier option compared to most commercial mouthwash brands. Try mixing your ACV with some water and a drop of peppermint oil, then swishing and rinsing your mouth for naturally fresh breath.

The antibacterial properties of apple cider vinegar can kill the bad bacteria that can cause bad breath.

Our hair and skin have specific pH levels within which they are optimally healthy, which means less dry flaky skin and dandruff. Apple cider vinegar makes an amazing hair rinse because it helps to regulate the pH balance of our scalp for soft, shiny hair and healthy skin.

Try this:

Once a week, rinse your scalp with a diluted apple cider vinegar solution (2 parts water, 1 part vinegar). Pour over your hair and let sit for about 1-2 minutes in the shower before rinsing. I like to do it after I wash and condition my hair with an all natural shampoo and conditioner.

Dry skin is alkaline, meaning it has a high pH (normal skin has a pH around 5.5). Apple cider vinegar can help to decrease the scalp’s pH level and balance the alkalinity of dry skin for a less flaky scalp, no chemicals or harsh treatments required!

Before you start swigging back your ACV, there are a couple of important things you should note to make sure you are

• Yes it can impact the enamel on your teeth so use a straw if you have weak enamel. Before you blame the humble ACV keep in mind coffee and soda pop and many other lifestyle factors can impact tooth enamel too.
• Because it contains acetic acid, it can irritate your throat or upset your tummy if you’re not diluting it. Avoid drinking it straight for the best results.
• You’re in charge. If it doesn’t make you feel good, don’t do it!

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I’ve recently been traveling around Austria with my loves visiting family, eating delicious food, and going on tons of amazing hikes [you can see some of our adventures here and here!]. I wanted to pick up a bottle of apple cider vinegar to make a delicious digestive-supporting salad dressing, but unfortunately couldn’t read the German label.

When I got home I noticed that it tasted quite sweet and after a visit to Google translate we discovered that this particular brand had sugar and apple juice added to the vinegar after fermentation. That added sugar takes away those blood sugar balancing benefits mentioned above. To help make sure you don’t pick up a less-than-healthy version of ACV, follow these joyous tips:

• Always read your labels! Even if that means busting out Google translate on your phone. You don’t want to pick up a bottle that has anything other than organic apples and water listed as an ingredient.
• Look for organic apple cider vinegar. Apples are one of the EWGs Dirty Dozen, which means even after washing and peeling they still contain a large amount of pesticide residues. These chemicals are known hormone disruptors which means they’re not great for the health of you or the planet, so it’s best to avoid them whenever possible.
• Make sure it has the mother or says it is raw/unpasteurized. One of the components of ACV that provides so many of its health benefits are the beneficial bacteria that are used to ferment the apple cider to turn it into vinegar. These bacteria are often referred to as the mother and they give the vinegar a slightly cloudy, brownish appearance. This mother is loaded with many strains of beneficial bacteria that nourish the microbiome and if you remove it or pasteurize the vinegar you lose all those benefits!
• Buy ACV in glass bottles. Since it is rich in acetic acid, you don’t want to buy ACV that is stored in plastic. The acids can break down the plastics and lead to contamination.

If you follow these tips, you’ll be guaranteed to buy the healthiest ACV out there so you can take advantage of all these great benefits.

If you want to learn more simple health hacks, check out my first book JOYOUS HEALTH. I have a whole chapter on digestion where I talk about hacks like these!

Those are my 8 interesting facts for ACV–I hope they inspired you to pick up your own bottle today!

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