Apple cider vinegar comes with quite the strong taste, but this liquid is packed with health benefits. It can help with a wide range of health problems, from preventing kidney stones to improving the immune system and numerous anti ageing properties. This article will dive deep into the amazing benefits of apple cider vinegar for seniors that will have you sipping on it daily.
Table of Contents
What Is Apple Cider Vinegar?
Apple cider vinegar is a type of vinegar produced from apples. It comes with a very thick consistency and it has a very strong taste that can easily overpower other ingredients when cooking, so it’s important to add small amounts otherwise you will end up tasting like salad dressing. Once your body gets used to the taste, you won’t even mind it as the nutritional benefits are craved by the bodies cells.
How Is Apple Cider Vinegar Made?
It is made by fermenting apples and then distilling it in a closed container, which means that the acetic acid is preserved and stays in the liquid. The process of making the vinegar takes roughly two months, though it can take up to three years in the case of the most artisanal ones.
7 Amazing Benefits Of Apple Cider Vinegar For Seniors
Greatly Improves Digestion
Acetic acid has been well researched and shown to have anti-inflammatory properties that also help to battle many other ailments, from skin problems to asthma. This type of acid helps the body release toxins through the bowels and this can be a major benefit for older adults with arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcers, parasitic infections or appendicitis.
Simply dissolving a tablespoon of ACV in water and drinking before a meal will stimulate the stomachs natural acidity and improve digestion. As we age our digestive system tends to not work as well so adding in a daily tablespoon in water before our nightly meal is a great practice to get used too.
Strengthens The Immune System
All the other benefits of apple cider vinegar’s acetic acid make it a powerful immune booster, which can help seniors stay healthy and avoid catching a cold or flu. The extra acidity from the ACV is a good way to fight any unwanted viruses, bacteria and viruses. The immune system becomes compromised as we get older, so a rapid boost in nutrients and nutrition can help to keep our immune system strong.
Lowers Blood Pressure
ACV will make the blood vessels more elastic and this results in a lower risk of blood clots. It also improves blood sugar levels, which is important for people with diabetes or other chronic diseases that cause high blood pressure. In fact studies have shown that apple cider vinegar can have a greater effect on reducing blood pressure than other medication for treating high blood pressure.
Stabilizes Blood Sugar Levels And Can Prevent Diabetes In Older Adults
The ability of apple cider vinegar to improve digestion also works as an energy booster for older adults by stabilizing blood sugar levels. This can also help with balancing blood sugar in diabetics. This is one of the main benefits of apple cider vinegar for seniors who are prone to high blood sugar levels, so they can experience an improved quality of life with balanced blood sugar levels. In fact a recent study shows just how powerful ACV is in protecting our cells from damage and lowering blood pressure in patients with Diabetes. You can view the study here.
Prevents Kidney Stones
Kidney stones are painful and if you have them you know that it’s not pleasant at all. Apple cider vinegar has potassium, magnesium and malic acid which helps to prevent these stones from forming. Mixing baking soda (aluminium free of course) with apple cider vinegar in a quart of water can help to break down the uric crystal structures and ease kidney stones. Studies like this have been successful in treating kidney stones with alternative methods like ACV and baking soda.
Mix ACV With Bentonite Clay For An Anti-Ageing Facial Mask
A little known but cheap wrinkle fighter is mixing bentonite clay and apple cider vinegar in a cup and spreading it thick over the face for 10 to 15 minutes. People who use this mask will often feel a pulsating feeling in their skin as the clay dries and absorbs toxins from the skin offering a more youthful glow. This technique is dirt cheap and favourable by many beauticians around the world. Apple cider vinegar offers to balance the skins natural PH acidity levels and alleviates skin colour imbalances and dark spots over time. Suggested use is 1 to 2 masks a week for 10-15 minutes at a time.
Weight Loss Benefits Of Apple Cider Vinegar
Another benefit of apple cider vinegar for seniors is weight loss. Bacterial imbalance in the gut can cause weight gain and other digestive issues, which apple cider vinegar helps to balance out. The acetic acid works as a natural appetite suppressor by stimulating the release of leptin, which then reduces food intake and cravings. This is also why ACV has been linked to lower blood sugar levels, as low blood sugar increases appetite. Adding a tablespoon of ACV as a salad dressing or in place of balsamic vinegar in your meals can help to aid in weight loss when accompanied with a good exercise routine.
Make Sure To Buy It Fermented With “The Mother”
There are two main types of ACV which you will see when you are in the store. The first is made with sterilized apple juice, which makes it very sterile and nothing like the traditional apple cider vinegar that is made by vinegar makers who ferment it with “the mother”. The mother is essentially the healthy bacteria medium that is growing inside the drink and it keeps the healthy bacteria at a constant level.
It is highly suggested to buy organic apple cider vinegar with the mother to make sure the shelf life has not damaged the ACV over time. The major benefits from the vinegar come from the organic bacteria inside which are symbiotic to the bacteria inside the intestinal and digestive tract.
Top Brands Of Organic Apple Cider Vinegar
Braggs: This is one of the most popular brands that you will find in the store and it’s only available in an organic option. This means that it is also made with “the mother” which has live bacteria inside. This brand is sold widely online and in store across Canada.
You can view it here Braggs
Yogi: This brand creates a raw version of their ACV which makes it very potent, but to some people it can be overpowering because of this. However this brand is also very widely available in stores and is one of the best tasting ACV brands, so pick it up if you can find it.
You can view it here Yogi Products
Goulters ACV: Another fantastic option for organic ACV which comes in numerous flavors and bottling in New Zealand.
You can view it here Goulters Vinegar
Stick To The Liquid And Not The Supplement Form
When it comes to benefits of apple cider vinegar for seniors using the real organic liquid form is the best option. Many marketing techniques will try to sell pill form or tablet form but this product simply is not beneficial compared to the traditional organic form which you can drink or drizzle on your food.
Recipes For Seniors Wanting To Try ACV
Apple Cider Vinegar & Honey
This is a popular pick-me-up recipe which tastes very good and is very healthy for the digestive system. The vinegar has antibacterial properties that works as an appetite suppressor, so adding honey makes this one of the best recipes for seniors wanting to try apple cider vinegar. With this recipe, combine half a cup of ACV with 2 teaspoons of honey and 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon to your favorite mug or glass. Leave this on the counter and drink it anytime you feel like a boost on the go.
Apple Cider Vinegar With Cinnamon And Orange
This recipe is another very popular drink which tastes good and is healthy for the body. Apple cider vinegar works wonders when it comes to digestion and immune system, so mixing in orange juice and cinnamon helps to reduce cravings and appetite while simultaneously boosting your immune system.
Make ACV A Daily Ritual And Benefit Tremendously
As you can tell from this article the benefits of this ancient super food are amazing and it should be used in daily nutrition. Opt for organic varieties and make sure it contains “the mother” and begin to notice promising effects on overall wellbeing!
For further reading on senior related articles try Yoga for seniors with arthritis.
