Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar with the Mother Culture

Bragg’s apple cider vinegar is a gift in this world.

Apple cider vinegar is made by fermenting crushed apples in yeast which converts the sugar to alcohol. Then bacteria is added to ferment the alcohol into acetic acid.

It tends to have a web-like appearance and needs shaken before use. The web you see is the mother culture which is the key to all the goodness in the cider. Good probiotics. 🙂

Weight Loss

Apple cider vinegar has acetic acid, which is thought to attribute to its weight loss qualities. It lowers blood sugar levels, decreases insulin levels, improves metabolism, reduces fat storage, burns fat, and suppresses appetite.

My stepmother recently started drinking apple cider vinegar every day and within one week she had lost seven pounds without changing anything in her diet.

Eczema

Another example is eczema. I have a really bad iced coffee habit (I have slowed down to one cup a day instead of four). I was drinking too much milk and threw my system all out of whack. I gave myself eczema on my scalp (there are many different types of eczema). I looked online to see how to treat it. If you go to a doctor they’ll give you antibiotics and/or steroids, which can end up giving folks a permanent heart condition and usually doesn’t even get rid of the eczema. Instead I used Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar on my scalp during a shower. I applied it four times and it was gone. Not all types of eczema can be treated this way, but it worked for this one.

Kidneys & Liver

Apple cider vinegar can be used to break down kidney stones and expel via urine. It is a great detoxifier for kidneys and liver. I wouldn’t use it as a stand-alone product to treat a urinary tract infection. I would add Manuka honey to kill off the infection, then looking to essential oils for more aggressive measures. If that doesn’t do it, then to the doctor I go.

There is some confusion around apple cider vinegar being good or bad for kidneys. This depends on potassium levels. Apple cider vinegar is high in potassium, but can lower potassium levels in the body. Some patients in kidney failure already have high levels due to their illness and some patients have low levels of potassium. Speak to your doctor if you have a pre-existing kidney issue before taking apple cider vinegar.

Acid Reflux

This is another issue I have due to my gluttony over the iced coffee. Whole milk is high in fat. Fat relaxes the muscles. Your esophagus is a muscle. The acid creeps up from the stomach and can cause all sorts of horrible shit. I have what is called silent reflux. I don’t get heartburn or other typical symptoms of acid reflux. I get a sore throat, breathing problems (acid reflux can actually cause COPD!). WTF? Anywho… I use apple cider vinegar to bring down those acid levels and make my body more alkaline.

On a side note, another part of this issue is calcium overload from the milk. While pasteurized milk can cause osteoporosis, raw milk can also cause issues if too much is ingested. I started taking a magnesium supplement to flush out the extra calcium in my body. I had trouble with my joints and digestion. The magnesium fixed all that. Thanks, cousin Lisa who is now a chiropractor and full of awesome knowledge! 🙂

Warnings

Everything comes with a price. I will always preach balance and moderation when treating yourself. Here are a few things to remember when using apple cider vinegar:

1. People with gastroparesis should take care not to ingest too much apple cider vinegar. It delays the emptying of the stomach.
2. Apple cider vinegar is acidic. While it becomes alkaline in the body, it isn’t on the way down. It WILL eat the enamel off your teeth and burn your throat in the same way people with Bulimia will get a burned esophagus from excessive vomiting. When you drink it, ALWAYS dilute it with at least 8 oz of water. Drinking it through a straw is also good.
3. Medication Interactions: Check with your doctor before taking apple cider vinegar if you are on any medications (such as insulin), as it can have bad interactions with some meds.
4. Potassium Levels: If you have abnormal potassium levels please verify that it is safe to take apple cider vinegar. While apple cider vinegar is high in potassium it can lower the potassium in your body.

Apple cider vinegar has some wonderful properties and can fix a lot of things when used correctly. For the long term it shouldn’t be taken in large quantities or consumed without dilution. I use Bragg’s salad dressing a lot and that’s probably a good amount for frequent use. If you prefer to drink it in water, one tablespoon daily should be ok. It is best to achieve balance by not overdoing it. Take it for a while and then get off it for a bit. I look at it as more of a maintenance tool, not something to be consuming frequently in large amounts.

References:
PubMed
Dr. Mercola
HealthLine
Bragg’s
Foods for Better Health