Amazing Apple Cider Vinegar

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Amazing Apple Cider Vinegar
Earl L. Mindell, R.Ph., Ph.D. w/ Larry M. Johns

The History of Vinegar

Vinegar has been around in one form or another for at least 10,000 years. Through the ages it has served as an important role as food preservative, condiment, cleaning agent, beauty aid and miraculous medicine. The name vinegar is derived from the Latin word vinum meaning wine, and acer which denotes sharp or sour. Eventually the two words blended and became vinegre. In the Latin-root French Language, the words "vin aigre" mean sour wine, and it is true that wine left alone long enough can ferment and is said to have "turned to vinegar."

The Babylonians fermented the fruit of date palms, creating date vinegar, in 5,000 B.C. Vinegar residue has been scientifically traced to Egyptian urns in use as far back as 3,000 B.C. Vessels of vinegar figure prominently in the early Greek and Roman artwork. Hippocrates, the father of medicine, prescribed vinegar for his patients.

The armies of Julius Ceasar drank vinegar mixed with water as an invigorating tonic for its antiseptic benefits. Samurai warriors of Japan
would down a vinegar-based beverage to accrue serior strength. The record of Hannibal's march over the Alps describes how vinegar was poured on hot boulders to crumble them and make way for his troops and elephants to proceed.

Eve had her encounter with an apple in the Garden of Eden, but did you know vinegar is mentioned no less than eight times in the Bible, four references in the Old Testament and four in the New Testament? Ruth 2:14 records, "And Boaz said unto her, 'At mealtime come thou hither, and eat of the bread, and dip the morsel in the vinegar.'" It is not certain whether Boaz was delivering culinary or medicinal advice.

During the time of Jesus Christ, vinegar was used as a condiment but was also valued for its medicinal properties. Jails in the holy land had two stone jugs kept near the wall where prisoners were flogged. One jug contained oil to soothe and heal, the other contianed vinegar used as an antiseptic.

When it was mistakenly believed that it was acid in citrus fruit (rather than vitamin C) that cured scurvy, a ration of vinegar was issued to English sailors. During the American Civil War, soldiers with scurvy also received doses of vinegar.

It's in the Air
Vinegar results when alcohol meets with air. More specifically, the oxygen in air interacts with tiny bacteria (vinegar bacillus) which also occur naturally in the air. The process, known as acetous fermentation, occurs in two stages. First, yeasts convert the sugar present in fruits and grains to alcohol. Then, bacteria convert the alcohol into acetic acid. . . this is what puts the "pucker" in vinegar.

It wasn't until 1864 that the famed French scientist, Louis Pasteur, discovered it was bacteria in vinegar that caused alcohol to turn into acid. Later, in 1878, a microbiologist (Hansen) actually isolated the three kinds of vinegar bacilli and accurately explained how they consume alcohol and excrete acid.

(more to come...)

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http://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefit...er-vinegar.html
Health Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar
The health benefits of apple cider vinegar are many. To start with, it is packed with lots of vitamins, pectin, beta-carotene and minerals. There are other health benefits of apple cider vinegar like weight loss, arthritis, detoxification, cholesterol level, diabetes, diarrhea, depression, asthma and cancer. The alcoholic apple cider is vital for metabolism process; it assists in breaking down food particles into essential fats, minerals and proteins.

Apple cider vinegar is made out of fresh and ripe quality apples, which are fermented and passed through a rigorous process to develop into the final vinegar product. It is stated that around 400 BC, Hippocrates, The Father of Medicine, used only two curative products for his remedial treatments, and one of them was the humble apple cider vinegar. The amino acid in apple cider vinegar is an effective antiseptic and also works as an antibiotic, whereas the acetic acid content present in the vinegar can aid in treatment of various fungal and bacterial infections.

Benefits: Some of the most acceptable health benefits of apple cider vinegar are as follows:

•Arthritis: The arthritic condition of inflamed joints is a chronic illness in Western countries, the main cause being the accumulation of toxic waste in the body. Apple cider vinegar is said to relieve the pain in the joints and also checking the dangerous progress of the arthritic condition.
•Weight loss: Apple cider vinegar is an excellent therapy for losing excess weight. It works by making the body burn all the unwanted calories and getting the body metabolism working at its best.
•High cholesterol levels: The pectin content and amino acids found in alcoholic apple cider is effective in neutralizing the bad cholesterol level in the human body.
•Body metabolism: It plays an important role in dealing with speeding up the metabolism of the body. It supports appetite control and fat burning of the body.
•Detoxification: Apple cider vinegar is one of the most detoxifying agents that help to cleanse the entire digestive system. Thus, one of the most significant health benefits of apple cider vinegar is that it cleans the blood in the oxidation process.
•Diabetes control: This disease needs constant medical care and complete dietary restrictions. The dietary fiber present in apple cider vinegar is extremely beneficial for maintaining proper blood glucose levels.
•Skin Care: It aids in restoring the glow of the skin, restricts the dilation of skin pores and improves the circulation of nutrients.
•Hair Care: Apple cider vinegar is very useful in dandruff control and balancing the pH level of the scalp. You may also try applying two three spoonfuls of vinegar directly to the scalp and rinsing it after an hour or so.
•Diarrhea: The pectin content in apple cider helps treat diarrhea syndrome by forming bulk fibrous matter. In addition to it, the pectin also forms a protective coat for soothing the colon lining.
•Diabetes control: This disease needs constant medical care and complete dietary restrictions. The dietary fiber present in apple cider vinegar is extremely beneficial for maintaining proper blood glucose levels.
•Depression: Some medical experts do believe that ‘depression syndrome’ may be connected with the physical body more than the mental state. And further more, health benefits of apple cider vinegar could help to fight the melancholic state by means of detoxifying and cleansing the liver.
•Pet care: It also comes handy in animal and pet care. In case of cat care, vinegar should be used to clean the litter pan. ACP should be used in rinsing you dog to treat it from therapeutic infections.
•Relief from asthma: Many people have found constructive relief from chronic asthma by taking apple cider vinegar, or by applying vinegar soaked pads to the inner region of the wrist area.
•Fighting cancerous growth: Apple cider vinegar is not known to cure cancer disease. But, it may aid in fighting the free radicals that have the potential to form cancerous growth. The beta-carotene content acts as an antioxidant and effectively neutralizes the free radicals formed due to oxidation. The free radicals are harmful bodies that could cause major damage to blood cells.
The Natural Wonder Drug
Apple cider vinegar has progressed from a folk remedy to a modern age medicine. If you can tolerate the taste of apple cider vinegar, then it is like a magic natural remedy that heals and protects the human body. Drinking apple cider vinegar everyday will bring a robust healthy glow to your skin and complexion.

This article was contributed by Seema Adnani