Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is produced using a fermentation process. You receive vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and enzymes from the raw, unpasteurized ACV. One of the benefits of incorporating ACV into your diet comes from its detoxification properties, which are especially helpful in cleansing the liver.
Natural detoxifiers, such as apple cider vinegar, are a healthy option, as they help improve the filtration process of the blood.
How ACV Detoxifies Your Liver
Your liver can be overloaded with alcohol, medications containing carboxyl acid, regular consumption of processed and artificial foods, and toxins and pollution. If left in this overloaded state, it cannot function properly and therefore cannot efficiently keep you healthy.
Organic apple cider vinegar has high levels of an enzyme called pectin, which helps your liver remove these toxins from your body.
Pectin’s main component is a complex called galacturonic acid. In basic terms, this is broken down to release simpler acids, including glucuronic acid. Your liver requires glucuronic acid in large amounts to detoxify the blood. When a toxin binds with the glucuronic acid, your body does not retain or absorb it anymore, and it is excreted through the waste system, primarily in the urine.
How to Include ACV in Your Diet
Here are a few easy steps to follow for taking ACV daily for liver detoxing:
- Dilute 1-2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water (8 oz). You can add honey or maple syrup if you don’t like the taste.
- Drink the solution on an empty stomach first thing in the morning.
- Wait an hour before eating breakfast, which should include liver cleansing foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
- Drink plenty of water throughout the day to aid in the detoxification and prevent dehydration.
There are other ways to include ACV in your diet. You can use it as a dressing on your salad greens such as lettuce, spinach, kale, or arugula. Add avocado, blueberries, apples, sunflower seeds, and strips of your chicken with a mixture of virgin olive oil and apple cider as a dressing.
Another great idea is to mix apple cider vinegar with your green juice or smoothie. Add just the right amount that gives you a nice combination of tartness and sweetness to enhance the taste. Here’s one smoothie recipe for you can try.
Apple Cider Vinegar Strawberry and Apple Smoothie
Ingredients
1-2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, raw and unfiltered
1 cup fresh strawberries sliced
1 cup apples peeled and sliced
¾ cup of water
1-2 tbsp honey
Directions
- In a blender, add all the ingredients.
- Process until smooth.
- Pour into a mason jar or glass.
- Add ice if desired, stir well and drink!
Apple cider vinegar has been commonly used in cooking dishes too. You can add it to your marinades, stews, and soups. You can (and should) replace white vinegar with apple cider vinegar in your food. Its mild fruity taste enhances your dishes and has proven health benefits, whereas white vinegar can overpower the delicate flavors of your other ingredients, and has none of the health benefits of ACV.
Here’s one recipe for you to try:
Apple Cider Vinegar Chicken Adobo
Ingredients
1 tbsp canola cooking oil
8 cloves garlic minced
1 pc medium white onion sliced
1 tbsp ginger shredded
2 lbs. chicken breast
½ cup water (add more if you want to have a bit more of the sauce)
2 pcs dried bay leaf
½ tbsp peppercorn
¼ cup soy sauce
¼ cup apple cider vinegar
1 tsp brown sugar
1 tsp maple syrup
Salt to taste.
Directions
- Place the oil on a pot over medium heat.
- When the oil is hot enough, sauté garlic, onions, and ginger until fragrant. Don’t burn.
- Add the chicken and cook all the sides for about 5 minutes or until brown.
- Add water, cover, and bring to a boil.
- Add the bay leaf, peppercorn, and soy sauce.
- Simmer over medium-low heat for 20 minutes or until the chicken is tender.
- Add the apple cider vinegar, sugar, maple syrup, and salt.
- Stir and simmer for 10 minutes or until the ACV is cooked (no more acidic taste).
- Let the sauce thicken until you can see an oil formation, stirring occasionally.
- Remove from heat. Serve over steamed rice, sautéed kale or broccoli on the side, and serve.
In conclusion, apple cider vinegar is effective in flushing toxins from your liver. However, care must be exercised to make sure you don’t suffer from any unwanted side effects. ACV can hurt your teeth, throat, and stomach if not diluted. Taken to excess, undiluted or too strong ACV can erode the enamel on your teeth, the lining of your throat and the lining of your stomach. It can also cause stomach cramp and diarrhea.
The obvious take-away is to dilute the ACV with water, and take only recommended amounts. Monitor your body’s reaction, and adjust accordingly.
