Cider-Vinegar Health Benefits

Cider vinegar is made via a process of pressing apples to extract the juice, adding yeast and then fermenting the liquid. Whether processed or unfiltered, the product resulting is a pale- to deep-amber liquid that is said to possess a myriad of health benefits.

Arthritis and Acne

• Considered a "folk remedy," cider vinegar has been used to treat ailments such as arthritis, gout and other diseases associated with joint pain. Taken with water and honey, the tonic is thought to diminish the uric-acid crystals that have formed in the joints, causing inflammation.

  Cider vinegar is also thought to cure acne by restoring the pH level of the skin. Mixing one tablespoon of cider vinegar to one quart of room-temperature water and sponging on affected areas is purported to significantly clear skin in a few days.

Effect on Blood Sugar

• Acetic acid in cider vinegar is believed to slow the digestion of starch, and therefore affect the postmeal rise in blood sugar. Scientists are currently studying the effects of cider vinegar on type-2 diabetes as a means of lowering blood sugar.

  Of course, the most popular use of cider vinegar is for weight loss. A couple of tablespoons of cider vinegar taken in a glass of water before meals is said to be a natural appetite suppressant. It is also touted as a means to "burn fat" at a faster rate than you normally would. While there is no reliable research to either prove or disprove this theory, many individuals who regularly use cider vinegar as a means to control weight report they feel more satisfied and eat less when taking the vinegar and water tonic before meals.

Balance of Acid and Alkaline

• An important key to health, according to many nutritionists and natural health practitioners, is the balance of acid and alkaline in the body. Cider vinegar, which is alkaline, is used by many individuals to restore the acid/alkaline balance in the system. Certain foods--especially grains, meats and dairy products--produce acid. When an individual tends to overeat these foods, causing the body to become overly acidic, taking a cider-vinegar tonic daily can restore the body's healthy pH level.

Even Your Pets Benefit

• The health benefits of apple-cider vinegar are not limited to human beings; the health of your dogs, cats and even horses can be improved by adding vinegar to the diet. Add a small amount of vinegar to the water bowl to improve your pet's digestion.

Cider Vinegar for Shiny Hair

• Human hair and animal coats can become shiny and healthy-looking when a cider-vinegar solution is used as a rinse after washing. The vinegar solution strips any soap-film residue from the hair shaft, making the hair reflect light and appear shiny. It only takes a little vinegar (approximately one-quarter cup to a gallon of water) to make an effective rinse. Using this scant amount will also relieve your worries about any vinegar smell remaining in your hair or your pet's fur.