Your Daily ACV
While not every claim about Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) is true, people have used apple cider vinegar medicinally and therapeutically for centuries. So why do we support using raw, organic, unfiltered, unpasteurized apple cider vinegar? Read on!
The Mother Lode
For starters, you should know what Apple Cider Vinegar is. ACV is made from apple juice that was fermented into hard apple cider. It’s then fermented a second time to become apple cider vinegar—containing vitamins, minerals, amino acids, organic acids (acetic acid and citric acid), and other micronutrients.
When ACV is made using a slow fermentation process, there’s a buildup of yeast and bacteria. This buildup, called the mother, is commonly thought to contain most of the beneficial enzymes and proteins. The mother makes it look slightly cloudy and may even show up in strands or sediment in the finished product.
TOP 3 Boketto-approved Benefits
- Gut Health - The fermentation process that yields apple cider vinegar encourages the growth and proliferation of good-for-your-gut microbes. Consuming probiotic-rich fermented foods has been shown to improve digestion, boost the immune system, and even positively affect mental health. Most of the probiotics in apple cider vinegar are in the cloudy “mother” strands you’ll find floating in it, so be sure to purchase apple cider vinegar that still has the mother intact. Additionally, ACV has been shown to have antiviral, anti-yeast + antifungal benefits, all helpful in supporting microbiome and overall immune balance. Also consider: Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics
- Hair & Scalp Health - Your scalp and hair’s natural pH is around 5.5, making it acidic. Normal shampoo is alkaline, which can throw off your hair's pH, causing dryness. Water, too, can alter the hair’s pH, since water’s pH is neutral. Apple Cider Vinegar’s acidity makes it the perfect post-shampoo rinse to help restore pH balance, boosting hair’s shine and health. ACV may help get rid of flaky dandruff, too, due to its antifungal properties it can work against some of the common causes of dandruff, like a buildup of oil or a yeast-like fungus called Malassezia. How to: Try recycling an old shampoo bottle, then filling it with ½ tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar and 1 cup of cold water. Pour the solution through your hair after shampooing as an ACV rinse. Also consider Boketto LAB Hair & Scalp Oil
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Oral Health - Try mixing two parts apple cider vinegar and one part baking soda for a natural tooth-whitening paste. Rub teeth directly with the apple cider vinegar paste, and rinse with water. The results won't be immediate, but done a few times a week, this should help to remove stains and whiten teeth. You can also gargle with ACV for a similar effect. Bonus: Gargling apple cider vinegar will relieve bad breath. Its antibacterial properties can kill stinky breath bacteria— but due to its acidity, we advise caution with this method and don't recommend doing it long-term as it can contribute to tooth enamel decay, similar to how soda and fruit juices do. Also consider: Riven Probiotic Mouthwash
But is it safe?
For the majority of people, consuming it in small amounts is safe. However, many doctors suggest that you don’t want to consume more than 8 ounces per day because it has been linked to a few side effects. We recommend if you have diabetes or any type of chronic health condition, you consult your PCP before deciding to supplement with it. It’s also recommended that you don’t drink it straight as it is very acidic and can therefore harm your esophagus and possibly contribute to tooth and tooth enamel decay.
YOUR DAILY ELIXIR
Mix 1 tsp Bertha’s Country Lane Harvest Apple Cider Vinegar with 4 oz of water + 1 tsp of honey. Enjoy in the morning on an empty stomach.
Pro Tip
When buying, look for one with the mother still intact, as that is the part of the vinegar that retains many of the beneficial ingredients, Like Mitchell’s Gut Bertha’s Country Lane Harvest Apple Cider Vinegar. Make sure you shake it well to disperse the mother before you use it.