Why the humble ACV is great for your gut!
What if I told you one of the best ‘superfoods’ for your health is already in your pantry?
I’m talking about the humble bottle of Apple Cider Vinegar, or ACV for short. It’s simple, cheap and one of the most effective foods for improving your digestive system, and as a result, your overall health!
How Apple Cider Vinegar improves your gut
As you age, your stomach fails to produce as much acid as it used to. By the time you hit 50, you have half the stomach acid you had when you were 20. That’s partly why it seems like you have a cast-iron stomach when you’re young!
Stomach acids help to break down proteins and assist with the absorbtion of minerals found in your food. They acts as a defence mechanism, killing bad bacteria and preventing them from entering the gut.
Stomach acids are also important for the next stage of digestion — the release of pancreatic enzymes to break down carbohydrates. Without enough stomach acid, you may experience uncomfortable symptoms like bloating and gas.
This is where Apple Cider Vinegar comes in! Weak acids like ACV stimulate your stomach to produce a healthy amount of stomach acid, which helps to improve digestion. Studies have shown ACV can balance high blood sugar, reduce blood sugar levels in diabetics, and even help with weight loss.
Having enough stomach acid also helps the pancreas to release alkalising enzymes, which encourage a more alkaline body chemistry. This is a crucial first step for preventing all chronic health conditions.
How much ACV improves gut health?
I recommend my clients take 5 to 15mL of ACV in a small glass of water 3 times per day, before meals. You can also get creative by adding it to healthy salad dressings (just mix with olive oil and add some seeded mustard), or incorporating it into your cooking.
What should I look for in ACV?
There is a huge difference between the ACV supermarkets stock and the ACV you can find at your local health food store.
When choosing an ACV, it needs to be organic and say either ‘with mother’ or ‘from mother’, which indicates that it has been fermented. It should have some ‘floaters’ or fibres in the bottom of the bottle but make sure you shake it up before you use it!
Avoid distilled ACV, as it doesn’t contain the health benefits.
What other things can I do to feel better?
If you’re feeling drained and frustrated about your health and are ready to feel the best you can, book a free 15min phone chat with one of our Naturopaths.
Are you feeling frustrated and drained by your health?
Click here to discover how to boost your gut health naturally, which can in turn help you to lose weight, regain energy, support your immunity and even help to ward off cancer.
