by Mario Carini

Created on: November 13, 2009

For optimum good health and longevity take two tablespoons of unfiltered, organic apple cider vinegar in a glass of water. If you can't stand the acidic taste of the vinegar, add a little honey. Drink a glass twice daily. You can choose to drink it first thing in the morning, right before eating or just before retiring.

The filtered vinegar you buy from the grocery store does not contain many of the nutrients found in the organic product.

ACV contains some 19 of 22 essential minerals you need to maintain good health. One such mineral is potassium. Many people are deficient in this vital nutrient and apple cider vinegar provides it in adequate amounts required by the body. It helps maintain a regular heartbeat and counteracts the damaging effects of sodium. Too many people consume far too much salt and that excess salt leads to high blood pressure. Potassium counteracts sodium and balances the body. To help in its absorbency, ACV comes with phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, sulfur, iron, flouorine, silicone and other trace minerals all designed to provide the body with the ability it needs to fight viruses, bacteria and many of the diseases that plague it every day.

Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, extolled its uses and regularly took ACV along with garlic and other herbs. Apple cider vinegar has many other useful benefits besides supplying needed potassium:

It's an effective infection fighter. Bacteria require the fluids they pull out of the body's cells in order to multiply. But the potassium that resides within the body's cells keep that moisture from leaking away. That causes bacteria to starve and die. Bacteria, fungi and viruses are all effectively destroyed.

A good digestive aid. It destroys microorganisms and parasites that reside in the colon and helps to protect against food poisoning that can occur from eating spoiled meat, fish and other contaminated food.

ACV helps the kidneys and bladder do their function in eliminating waste from the body. It combats kidney inflammation that often leads to a back-up of toxins that lead to blood poisoning.

Weight loss. In one study conducted in 2005, those who drank vinegar with their meals ate less as the vinegar provided them with a feeling of satiety.

Aids in sleep. Many people feel tired and sluggish from not getting enough sleep. A simple method is to add three teaspoons of apple cider vinegar to a cup of honey and keep the mixture in a wide mouthed bottle beside your bed. Take two teaspoons before getting into bed. This should help you nod off within half an hour.

ACV helps to thin the blood to reduce high blood pressure.

Sore throat relief. Use one teaspoon in a glass of water and gargle every hour. Swallow it so it has a chance to reach the lower parts of the throat. Gargling kills the strep germs. Relief usually comes within 24 hours.

Apple cider vinegar contains chromium, a vital mineral that helps to balance blood sugar, important for all diabetics. It reduces the cravings for carbohydrates.

Arthritis relief. The malic acid in the vinegar helps fight infections and relieves joint pain, fibromyalgia and gout by dissolving uric acid deposits that form in the joints.

Apple cider vinegar has many uses around the home too. It's an effective air freshener, dish washing detergent, drain cleaner, furniture and metal polisher, glass and toilet bowl cleaner and kills mold and mildew.

With so many uses, apple cider vinegar should be in every home. Using it regularly will keep you healthy and save money on those cleaning products you usually buy that come with toxic chemicals. Since it is cheap and biodegradable, you have no reason not to use this versatile item for health and cleanliness.

Learn more about this author, Mario Carini.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.