Apple Cider Vinegar: Is It a Super Tonic?

Used as a salad dressing, apple cider vinegar could also be used as a natural remedy to help ease a sore throat, relieve sinus congestion, calm intestinal troubles, and rid your scalp of dandruff. Also, if you have diabetes, apple cider vinegar could even help keep your blood sugar balanced.

Although cider vinegar has not been subjected to a great deal of scientific investigation, many documented personal anecdotes and clinical reports seem to confirm what advocates of natural folk medicine have been saying for centuries about its curative powers.

If you want to test the effectiveness of apple cider vinegar for any of the following conditions, use these formulas as guides:

• Sore throat. Gargle with a small amount of slightly diluted apple cider vinegar sprinkled with a pinch of hot (cayenne) pepper.

• Cold and cough. According to Penny C. Royal, author of Herbally Yours, homemade cough syrup made with apple cider vinegar, honey, and spices can help soothe a persistent cough. Combine 1/4 teaspoon of ground ginger and cayenne pepper, two tablespoons of water, one tablespoon of honey, and one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. Cover and refrigerate the mixture until ready to use, then take one teaspoon at a time.

• Dandruff. After shampooing, rinse your hair with a combination of one part cider vinegar to three parts water, or two tablespoons of vinegar diluted in six tablespoons (or 1/3 cup plus one teaspoon) of water.

• Diarrhea. Dilute apple cider vinegar with water and stir in a tablespoon of honey.

• Food Poisoning. Apple cider vinegar's antimicrobial properties may help offset gastrointestinal symptoms associated with food poisoning, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. They recommend adding two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar to one cup of water, and drinking this combination several times a day.

Other Uses for Apple Cider Vinegar

Besides treating minor medical disorders, diluted apple cider vinegar will clean hard surfaces around your house such as kitchen counters and appliances.

Try dabbing a little under your arms for natural odor protection. Vinegar alters the pH of your skin, which discourages the growth of odor-causing bacteria.

As a home remedy, apple cider vinegar may help soothe the symptoms of many common ailments, but it is never a substitute for professional medical care. If your symptoms persist, or if you have a fever or a serious medical condition, speak to your doctor.

Also, too much apple cider vinegar over time can lower your blood potassium levels and increase your risk of developing osteoporosis. If you regularly swallow straight cider vinegar for any reason, Harvard University's Dr. Richard Lee recommends that you rinse your mouth with plain water to preserve the enamel on your teeth.

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Sources:

The Campus Barber/Duke University: Dandruff
http://www.duke.edu/~papabell/cbarber/faqs_dandruff.htm

Hlebowicz, J, et al.; "Efect of Apple Cider Vnegar on Delayed Gastric Emptying in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: A Pilot Study."  Gastroenterology 2007; 7:46. Web.  7 Nov 11.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2245945/?tool=pubmed

Lee, R. "Is Vinegar Good for the Arteries?" Harvard Health Publications.  Web. 7 Nov 11.
http://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/lower-back-pain-yoga-therapy-can-help

McMillen, B. "Home Remedy for a Cough." University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, Bradfor, PA  (Royal, Penny C. "Herbally Yours" 1982; Sound Nutrition) Web. 7 Nov 11.
http://www.pitt.edu/~cjm6/sp99cough.html

University of Maryland Medical Center
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/food-poisoning-000064.htm

Build a Heart-Healthy Meal at the Salad Bar

In these busy times, grabbing a quick meal from the salad bar of your local deli or fast-food restaurant chain may not only help you shave off precious minutes from your busy day, it may also provide all the ingredients you need for a healthy heart-if you know what to choose.

Here's how to stay heart-healthy without sacrificing great taste:

Start With Dark Greens: All types of lettuce are low in calories and provide a good source of fiber. However, to reap the greatest nutritional value, stick to the darker varieties of greens, including spinach, Boston, and Romaine.Include Fruits and Vegetables: These are good sources of vitamins and minerals and they are high in fiber and low in calories. They also contain plant substances that may help prevent cardiovascular disease. Carrots, radishes, broccoli, and avocados are all great choices. Fruits such as blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, apple slices, and raisins are packed with vitamins and antioxidants and can satisfy your sweet tooth without adding a lot of calories. Add Low-Fat Protein Sources: Lean meats like cooked shrimp and poultry (without the skin) are all packed with protein, just make sure the foods you choose aren't fried to avoid unhealthy fats and high calories. Adding legumes, such as beans, peas, and lentils are also good sources of protein and contain less fat and no cholesterol, making them good substitutes for meat.Choose Smart Fats: To keep the amount of calories consumed low while getting the heart-healthy benefits of eating salads, stay away from high-fat commercial dressings, which can add 80 or more calories to the meal-and opt instead for a drizzle of monounsaturated fats found in olive oil or canola oil and a little Balsamic or red wine vinegar. Adding a sprinkle of nuts like walnuts, pecans, or almonds gives you crunch along with a dose of polyunsaturated fats, which may help lower your blood total blood cholesterol. But all types of fat are high in calories, so use in moderation. Avoid the Salt: Including a lot of sodium (salt) in your diet can contribute to high blood pressure, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends that healthy adults have no more than 2,300 milligrams (mg) of salt a day, which is about one teaspoon. People ages 51 and older, African-Americans, and people diagnosed with high blood pressure, diabetes, or chronic kidney disease, should limit their salt intake to no more than 1,500 mg of sodium a day.

Sources:
Mayo Clinic. "Heart-healthy diet: 8 steps to prevent heart disease."
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/heart-healthy-diet/NU00196

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