THE TRUTH ABOUT APPLE CIDER VINEGAR

Before getting into the topic of the day, latest tidbits from those Trump follies:

• How are Patel, Gabbard and Kennedy doing on confirmation?  Here is a video summary.  My prognostications?  Read my posting of yesterday.

• 
  Those tariffs on goods coming into the U.S. from Canada (25%), Mexico (25%) and China (10%) went into effect today, with retaliation expected from those countries and subsequent further penalties by Trump if they do.  A trade war could be sparked.   Which countries are next?

• 
  The Gaza Strip ceasefire stumbles along.  This truce will eventually result in the release of 33 hostages for nearly 2000 Palestine prisoners.

• 
  Two judges halted the federal funding freeze attempt, but international funding money in foreign aid is proceeding.  The biggest benefactor is the United Nations.  Moneys will eventually be released to reliable and credible partners.

• 
  As pushback increases on migrant deportation, Trump will now use the Guantanamo Bay detention facility.  Only 15 now being held, and the plan to is house 30,000 illegal migrants there.  Remember now, way back in May of last year, Trump boasted of eventually sending up to 20 million away.

• 
  Elon Musk is moving ahead with the non-governmental Department of Government Efficiency mandate he created to save $2 trillion and revolutionize the government.

• 
  While Trump continues to blame DEI, previous President Joe Biden and Democrats for that recent DC air collision, it was also noted that there have been 30 near- misses at Reagan National Airport in the past.  Further, more than 90% of country's air traffic control facilities operate below the recommended staffing levels, with up to 4000 controller positions unfilled.

Now on to the topic of the day.  Will apple cider vinegar (ACV) reduce your weight, cholesterol and blood, while also improving glucose and insulin levels?   

• For one, University of Chicago Medicine says:

The Internet would have you believe apple cider vinegar is the new pixie dust due to its health benefits. It’s tempting to believe the Internet claims about apple cider vinegar (ACV). They sound so fantastic — even doctors can fall victim to them.  ACV is not pixie dust, but it’s also not snake oil. For those who want to try ACV, it does have some proven health benefits. 

• 
  Harvard Health says there is little supportive medical evidence except for animal studies.

Notwithstanding all that, there seems to be some health benefits, but note the conditional language.

• May improve glucose and insulin levels.  ACV does lower post-meal blood glucose levels, but won't cure diabetes.

• 
  May increase feelings of fullness, lowering calorie intake.  But maintain a meaningful exercise program.
• Seems beneficial for controlling cholesterol and blood pressure, although some sources say this treatment does not affect blood pressure.
• Is probiotic.
• All vinegars have anti-microbial properties and provide antioxidants to fight off free radicals.
• Can reduce bacterial (salmonella) growth in your salad.
• ACV can interact with certain prescription drugs such as insulin or diuretics.
• 
  Will not cure cancer.
• Although Nobel Prize winner Otto Warburg believed that people who ate a correct natural diet could avoid 80% of cancers.  He said that high levels of acidity and low levels of oxygen in the body caused cancer. Thus, the ingestion of ACV makes the body more alkaline.  Except medical research shows that the body has a well-developed  pH balancing ability that is not much influenced by ACV
• One China study did find lower rates of esophageal cancer in those that frequently consumed RICE vinegar.
• Overall, ACV is safe, except:
• As an acid, may erode teeth enamel.
• May exacerbate acid reflux.
• Don't do this if you have kidney disease.

Apple Cider Vinegar is vinegar made from apple cider.

• crush apple
• squeeze out the juice
• ferment with the appropriate yeast, which converts the sugar in the juice to ethanol, with a second fermentation step to change the ethanol into acetic acid using Acetobacter bacteria
• during these processes, mother vinegar will be produced, which is an undefined microbial culture left in the vinegar prior to distillation and pasteurization
• malic acid naturally present in apple juice will also be in intermediate product

In one tablespoon (three teaspoons or 15 ml) of apple cider vinegar:

• 94% water, 5% acetic acid and 1% carbohydrates
• 3000 calories
• 0.1 g carbohydrate
• 11 mg potassium
• 1 mg calcium
• 1 mg magnesium
• no vitamins

How to take apple cider vinegar.

• Stir 1 to 3 teaspoons in a glass of water.
• Drink with lunch and dinner, or a total of 2 tablespoons (30 ml)/day.  Don't sip throughout the day.
• Another option would be ACV gummies, and if you do, one with high potency (0.8 grams ACV), plus supportive vitamins and minerals.
• A third way is to include ACV in your meals.
• Avoid ACV if taking any diuretic medication.
• Avoid ACV if you have gastroparesis.

EatingWell selected the following five ACV:

BEST OVERALL APPLE CIDER VINEGAR:

Bragg Organic Apple Cider Vinegar at Amazon $10

BEST ORGANIC APPLE CIDER VINEGAR:

Zoe Organic Apple Cider Vinegar at Amazon $20

ALSO GREAT:

Kevala Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar at Amazon $10

BEST APPLE CIDER VINEGAR FOR COOKING:

Heinz All Natural Apple Cider Vinegar at Amazon $13

BEST APPLE CIDER VINEGAR FOR DIGESTION:

Wedderspoon Apple Cider Vinegar With Monofloral Manuka Honey at Amazon $14

Note that ACV can also be used as a homemade cleaning agent.  For this application, never mix with chlorine bleach, for chlorine gas will form.

So the bottom line seems that Apple Cider Vinegar is okay, if not good, for you, as there are probiotic health benefits.  Just don't expect too much, for it is not a miracle drink, and watch out for the above conditions and interactions.

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