The Amazing Health and Beauty Tonic in Your Kitchen

Photo: Duke Plofker

My latest obsession is apple cider vinegar.  It’s one of those items everyone has for salad dressing and barbeque sauce, but it also can be a powerful—and inexpensive—health and beauty remedy. Apple cider vinegar has been touted as a cure-all for things like lowering blood pressure, removing tooth stains, and healing warts. Not sure if those claims are true, but these are a few ways that it works for me:

For Digestion
To help regulate your digestive tract, try drinking one teaspoon of vinegar mixed with a full glass of water in the morning and evening.
 
To Maintain a Healthy Weight
I find that drinking a glass of water with two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar before lunch and dinner helps keep me feeling fuller longer. I’m less likely to overeat or snack in between meals.
 
To Balance Out pH
If you believe in the health benefits of keeping your body alkaline, vinegar works to maintain a healthy pH level and make the body less acidic. Again, drinking a teaspoon mixed with a glass of water is all you need.
 
As a Natural Mouthwash
One tablespoon mixed with a cup of water becomes a natural mouthwash that helps fight bacteria. Rinse thoroughly afterwards with just plain water to protect the enamel on your teeth.  
 
For Shiny Hair
To remove build-up and residue that weighs hair down, mix a few tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with water. After shampooing pour the mixture through your hair. Let it sit for several minutes and rinse completely.