5 Health Issues Apple Cider Vinegar Can Help With

Apple cider vinegar, otherwise known as ACV, has been used historically as a health tonic to treat everything from wounds to diabetes, high fever to weight issues, and much more.

(Even Hippocrates, the “father of medicine,” regularly used ACV as a cleansing and healing agent.)

Natural ACV is made from fresh, crushed, organically grown apples that have been fermented in tanks. When mature, it contains a web-like substance called a “mother" made from the naturally occurring pectin and apple residue. This mother contains many minerals and enzymes that aren't always present in processed vinegars.

As a naturopath and nutritionist, I'm a huge fan of the humble ACV, and it will always have a place on my shelf. I recommend it to patients — and use it myself daily — as a digestive aid to cut through sluggish bowel movements.

Contrary to popular belief, acid reflux typically occurs from having too little stomach acid. ACV is a simple and effective way to improve the acid content of your stomach, reduce reflux symptoms, and help break down food. It's also thought that drinking ACV before meals can improve your ability to absorb important minerals from the foods you eat.

Look for raw, organic, unfiltered, unpasteurized ACV that contains the mother. This will ensure it contains the beneficial probiotics, minerals, and enzymes.

A word of warning: Always dilute ACV in water or fresh juice before consuming. ACV is highly acidic, so drinking it straight and undiluted can damage the enamel of your teeth, your throat, and the tissues in your mouth.