Decades ago, when ‘health food’ was sold in every store and pharmacy shelves weren’t filled with bottles of vitamins, our parents and grandparents fixed whatever ailed us with remedies like cod liver oil, honey, cinnamon, apple cider vinegar, cayenne pepper, and black strap molasses — to name a few. After many developments in the field of medicine and much research into both pharmaceutical and natural cures, some of these old-fashioned remedies have now proven to be just what the doctor ordered. Apple cider vinegar is one of them — find out what it can do for you.

Apple cider vinegar, also called ‘cider vinegar,’ is believed beneficial for several conditions: Constipation, headaches, arthritis, osteoporosis, indigestion, high cholesterol, eczema, chronic fatigue, high blood pressure and obesity are among them, but the list is much longer. In fact, some refer to it as the wonder drug.

How can apple cider vinegar cover so much ground?

It contains over forty vitamins and minerals — including beta-carotene, pectin, potassium, sodium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorous, chlorine, sulphur, iron, and fluorine. It is also high in malic acid, which fights fungal and bacterial infections and helps dissolve the uric acid deposits that cause joint pain and arthritis.

Many people take it for detoxification. It helps the liver release the pollutants we breathe or absorb through the skin, and the chemicals we eat.

As if that weren’t enough, it can also help you sleep and give you energy.

Now you understand why it’s called the wonder drug.

However, not all apple cider vinegar is created equal. The refining process — which basically consists of over-processing, filtration and overheating — removes most of what the vinegar had to offer. To derive the full benefit, you need it raw, unfiltered, and unprocessed.

It’s available in pill form, or you can just drink it. The unrefined variety has solid particles in it called ‘mother’ — that’s where most of the nourishment is — which tends to settle at the bottom of the bottle. So, if you’re going to drink it, give it a little shake first.

Some people don’t mind the taste — just a few tablespoons in a glass of water will do it — but if it’s a problem for you, try adding raw honey. It’s also packed with enzymes and nutrients so you’ll get even more bang for your buck.

If you’re looking for a tonic to improve your overall health, give apple cider vinegar a try and find out if it works the same miracles for you as it does for others.

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