Have you seen apple cider vinegar popping up in all the salad recipes your reading? Maybe you’ve seen it on the shelves in supermarkets, or read about it in health food blogs. We’ve certainly talked about its attributes when it comes to keeping your chickens healthy, or using it as a handy cleaning product that will leave the chicken coop smelling sweet! But, despite all this hoo-hah, you might be left scratching your beak, wondering what apple cider vinegar ACTUALLY is!
Well, we’re here to tell you all the facts about ACV - what it stands for, what it is and how to use it.
So, let’s begin with the basics.
What is Apple Cider Vinegar?
Commonly abbreviated to ACV, apple cider vinegar is a liquid that’s made from fermented, tart apples (using the whole apple, not just the flesh). The crushed, strained apples are left to ferment in a dark, cool place until it’s bottled and sold in the shops!
So, why should I be having some?
Apple cider vinegar is packed with essential nutrients and amino acids, which is really beneficial for your body and your overall health.
The good quality apple cider vinegar will also still have something called the ‘mother’ in it, which is the thick substance that forms on top of the mixture. This ‘mother’ contains many great nutrients, such as potassium, organic sodium, iron and essential amino acids. It’s incredibly good for you, so if you’re buying apple cider vinegar (as unappealing as it sounds), make sure it’s the murky, dark variety - the filtered, light coloured apple cider vinegar (whilst more aesthetically pleasing) won’t have the mother in it, and therefore you’ll be missing out on all its great nutrients.
What health issues can Apple Cider Vinegar improve?People have found relief from various health issues by incorporating a bit of apple cider vinegar into their diet. So if you’ve got some of the following issues, consider downing a bit of ACV every morning - you might be surprised at the difference you feel!
Stomach issues:
If you suffer from problems such as digestive issues or bloating, then consuming apple cider vinegar can help sooth your tummy troubles.
Cholesterol:
Many of us battle with the dreaded cholesterol, and are always finding ways to bring it down - for us, or the man in our lives. Apple cider vinegar contains the fibre ‘pectin’, which helps lower cholesterol and keep the heart healthy.
Blood sugar levels:
Apple cider vinegar is believed to lower and help regulate blood sugar levels. We’d definitely discuss this one with a doctor before you discard your insulin, but it’s a great natural way to help regulate your body.
What recipes or ways can I incorporate apple cider vinegar into my diet?
Despite the somewhat appealing name, apple cider vinegar can be a bit bitter on the taste buds. We certainly couldn’t drink down a whole glass of the stuff! (Maybe an ACV shot is a better idea). But the good news is apple cider vinegar can be incorporated into many recipes and dishes that mask the taste, or use the flavour to its advantage.
- Apple cider vinegar as a salad dressing
Drizzling a little apple cider vinegar on your salads is a great idea - it has the same tang as a tasty balsamic vinegar. That’s one easy and quick way to incorporate it into your diet! A recipe that we’ve found goes particularly well with apple cider is a simple one - why not try this side salad at your next dinner party:
Cucumber, tomato and onion salad-
2 cucumbers
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2 diced tomatoes
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4 spring onions
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¼ cup apple cider vinegar
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¼ cup water
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2 tablespoons of raw sugar
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Mixing it into smoothies and drinks
Are you a green smoothie fan? Perhaps you like a fresh juice every now and again. Well, you can always add a splash of apple cider vinegar to your healthy drinks for some extra pep - most likely the other flavours in the drink will mask the taste of the apple cider vinegar, unless you really like the taste in which case you can just add more!
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Brew it with herbal teas
Are you a fan of detoxing drinks and calming teas? Well, you can incorporate apple cider vinegar into your comforting, warm and healthy brews for a drink that really benefits your health. Try this recipe:
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1 cup of hot water
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1-2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
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the juice of one lemon
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1 tsbp of raw honey
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a dash of cinnamon
A drink that’s soothing for the soul!
Where can I find apple cider vinegar?
It’s not just organic health food shops that sell apple cider vinegar these days. It’s become so popular that you can even buy it from Coles or Woolies! Look for it in the ‘health food’ or ‘macro’ section of your shopping centre.
Some different chemists and health food shops also sell apple cider vinegar, which isn’t a surprise considering how good it is for you!
If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, or love to take a hands on approach to your health, you can always give making your own apple cider vinegar a go! Here’s a great guide on how to do it.
As you can see, apple cider vinegar is quite the little miracle substance. If you’re keen to keep your health tip top, definitely consider adding a little apple cider vinegar to your lifestyle!
Also, don’t think that the benefits of apple cider vinegar are limited to the health of your human family. Your feathered friends can definitely also benefit! Add a little apple cider vinegar to their water so they get all the health benefits as well. Plus - you can mix a little in to make this fabulous coop cleaner for a Taj Mahal, Penthouse or Mansion!
Stay tuned for more articles on apple cider vinegar - we can’t get enough of this wonderful stuff!
As chicken keepers, we all want to do an eggcellent job when caring for our feathered friends by using amazing ingredients - just like apple cider vinegar. It's essential that you've got the right knowledge you need to raise happy, healthy chooks. Did you know 67% of chicken keepers surveyed experienced a chicken health or behaviour issue in the first 12 months that they didn’t know how to handle?
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