Julie Montagu talks to Sheerluxe about the benefits of apple cider vinegar!
They say an apple a day is the secret to good health, but did you know a splash of apple cider vinegar could be just as effective?
Sure, we’ve known for years that it’s great on salads, but this fermented kitchen staple has gained superfood status in recent months, with a loyal following – including top health gurus and A-listers such as Miranda Kerr and Gwyneth Paltrow – raving about its myriad all-natural health and beauty-boosting benefits.
Topically, the likes of Deliciously Ella uses apple cider vinegar for its skin-toning benefits; while it’s traditionally also been used to help banish spots thanks to its germ-fighting abilities, and beauty bloggers swear that applying it to hair can help boost shine and banish dandruff. On top of this, healthy eating gurus praise the positive effect taking just a small amount daily can have on everything from digestion to your body’s PH levels.
Here’s what our expert Wellness Panel had to say about ACV’s main benefits, and how you should incorporate it into your diet...
1. Aids weight loss
‘ACV contains a fibre called pectin, which helps you feel more satisfied with your food, and could therefore assist with weight loss,’ says nutritionist Dr. Marilyn Glenville.
2. Detoxifying
‘The acids in ACV can bind to toxins in the body and help the body eliminate them more effectively,’ says health coach Julie Montagu, The Flexi Foodie. ‘It can even be used in a bath with Epsom salts to help draw out toxins through the skin.’
3. Lowers cholesterol
‘It is also thought that the pectin in ACV can attach itself to cholesterol globules and remove any excess from the body.’ – Dr. Glenville.
4. Improves digestion
‘Apple cider vinegar aids in digestion, and can help alleviate the gastrointestinal pain caused by certain foods.' – Julie Montagu.
5. Reduces high blood pressure
‘In addition, pectin in ACV helps with the thinning and circulation of the blood, and in reducing high blood pressure.' – Dr. Glenville.
6. Full of good bacteria
‘Apple cider vinegar helps populate the gut with beneficial bacteria, and can help fight off candida.' – Julie Montagu.
7. Good for bone health
‘Research has shown that when vinegar is added to food, calcium absorption is increased, which helps prevent osteoporosis. Apple cider vinegar also has an alkalising effect on the body, and is therefore good for your bone health.' – Dr. Glenville.
8. Alleviates allergies
‘ACV helps clear the body of mucous, by breaking it up. This helps those suffering from allergies and cleanses your lymphatic system.’ – Julie Montagu.
How to take it:
‘My advice is to take two tablespoons a day – one in the morning, mixed with two tablespoons of water followed by a quick lick of honey, and the same before your evening meal,’ says Julie Montagu.
‘I like to add it into salad dressings – try a ratio of one tablespoon of ACV to three tablespoons of oil,’ says nutritional health coach Madeleine Shaw. ‘You can also take 1 teaspoon before each meal to stimulate digestion.’
