Apple Cider Vinegar: Not Just A Fad

Written by: Victoria Thierens

I'm sure you've heard the saying, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away" but what about apple cider vinegar? In this article, you'll learn about some of the amazing benefits of apple cider vinegar and why you should incorporate the NANO Apple Cider Vinegar Gummies into your health and wellness routine!

Photo by Natalie Grainger on Unsplash

BACKGROUND

The use of apple cider vinegar (ACV) for health has been gaining popularity in recent years and it appears that this trend will continue for years to come. In fact, ACV has been used as a health and wellness remedy for centuries, already showing it can withstand the test of time. There are many claims that ACV can help treat acid reflux, promote healthy blood sugar, and even support weight loss, just to name a few. Yet, what is ACV really, and what does the science say about some of its anecdotally reported health benefits?

When we take a look at ACV, there are a few things that stand out right off the bat. The main property I'm going to highlight is related to the prebiotic AND probiotic punches it provides. However, first, we will take a look at where apple cider vinegar comes from and how it's made.

HOW IT'S MADE

Apple cider vinegar is derived via a two-step process (1).

Step 1 - The manufacturer exposes crushed apples to yeast, which ferments the sugars and turns them into alcohol.

Step 2 - Bacteria is added to further ferment the alcohol, turning it into acetic acid, which is the main compound found in vinegar.

Photo by Matthew Rumph on Unsplash

Acetic acid is what gives vinegar its distinct "sour" smell and flavor. The acetic acid is also responsible for creating what is affectionately called "The Mother" within the ACV community. "The Mother" is a term used to describe chains of organic acids, proteins, and enzymes that conform together to create a perfect environment for probiotics, also known as good bacteria, to live. These strands of "The Mother" are also what give ACV its murky appearance when compared to regular white vinegar.

GUT HEALTH: PREBIOTICS & PROBIOTICS

Now let's dive into why these PRE & PRObiotics are so important, and what they do for your body's health.

Prebiotics and probiotics are both extremely important for a healthy body. They aid in building and maintaining what is known as the microbiome within your gut. This microbiome consists of millions of good bacteria and other microorganisms, which supports a healthy gut and even aids in digestion (2).

*Fun fact: It's the microbiome of your gut that is responsible for producing Vitamin K. A crucial vitamin that aids in wound healing and bone formation. Without a healthy microbiome, you would be deficient in Vitamin K, which would negatively impact your overall health and wellness.)

With ACV being a probiotic food (similar to yogurt) it is packed full of helpful probiotic bacteria. Bacteria that when consumed integrate themselves into your gut's microbiome which is highly beneficial to your digestion (3).

I'm sure it comes as no surprise to learn that you have bacteria (both good and bad) living on and within your body. In fact, at any given time the human body has trillions of microorganisms inside it. These microorganisms actually outnumber human cells by 10 to 1, but because of their small size only makeup about 1 to 3 percent of the body's mass. While in a 200-pound adult that only accounts for 2 to 6 pounds of body mass it still plays a vital role in human health (4).

From birth, the foods we eat that contain probiotics, like ACV, help establish our own unique microbiome. This microbiome helps us break down food and extract nutrients during digestion, regulate metabolism, produce vitamins, boost our immune system, and ensure that harmful substances (like bad bacteria) don't enter our body's circulation through the gut. There is even new research coming out that a healthy microbiome is related to better mental health and memory, producing things like serotonin to make your body feel happy (5). It is for this reason that many individuals within this area are starting to call the gut and its microbiome the "Second Brain" of the body.

Conclusions

Maybe you've been contemplating trying ACV for a while now, or maybe this is the first you're hearing about ACV. Regardless, I hope this article provided you with some useful information showing you that incorporating ACV into your daily life truly can be beneficial to your health. Whether it's maintaining a healthy microbiome or aiding your digestion, the pre and probiotics within ACV are the stars of the show.

Give ACV a try today! You can find ACV at almost any grocery store. Or if you're not keen on having to swig down a shot of ACV every morning you can try the NANO Rx Apple Cider Vinegar Gummies. They contain all the benefits of ACV but just repackaged into a convenient and easy to consume gummy. We love them, and we think you will too!

Who says gummies are just for kids?

Tips from the Pros:

● If you're wanting to supplement ACV into your life but don't fancy the idea of drinking it or are turned off by its sour flavor-consider trying some delicious ACV gummies from NANO Rx. NANO Rx Apple Cider Vinegar Gummies

● If you prefer to drink your ACV make sure to dilute it with a splash of juice or water. The acidity of ACV can cause damage to the enamel of your teeth!

Edited by: Dr. Jonny Lisano, Ph.D.