Apple Vinegar Granada

Description

Apple cider vinegar has been a popular ingredient for meals for centuries. It has a very distinctive flavor that is used to boost some recipes, but folk’s wisdom also recognizes many uses of this ingredient many of us are unaware of today. Home recipes and natural remedies sometimes use apple cider vinegar as an ingredient, and old wives can mention countless benefits of apple cider vinegar.
The many proven properties of apple cider vinegar come from its very rich composition. Apple cider vinegar has many chemicals, including vitamins, minerals, acids and antioxidants. It is produced when apple cider is fermented until all sugar becomes alcohol, and then in a later process alcohol turns into acids. The natural components of apples as well as the acids that result of this fermentation have plenty of benefits for our health and lifestyle. Here is a list of the most surprising benefits of apple cider vinegar.
Reduces blood sugar levels
Our modern lifestyle and our diet aren’t precisely the best for keeping our blood sugar levels low. Diabetes, which is a disease that in many cases originates when we consume too much sugar and therefore stress out our insulin receptors, is spreading and has become one of our top health concerns nowadays. In this scenario, anything that can help us reduce our blood sugar levels is more than welcome. And apple cider vinegar is known to do exactly that.
Not only does apple cider vinegar help us decrease our blood sugar levels, but also it is proven to increase our sensitivity to insulin, which is the hormone that helps us absorb the sugar in our blood and take it to the cells where it can be put to use. Preserving our sensibility to insulin helps us prevent type 2 diabetes, which happens when we lose our sensitivity to insulin.
Reduces bad cholesterol
Another health problem that derives from our not so healthy lifestyle and affects a relatively large proportion of our population is high cholesterol. Cholesterol is a substance derived from fat that is present in our bodies, and helps us keep our cells and other structures in proper shape.
Reduces blood pressure
High blood pressure
is a silent condition that affects millions of people, most of which aren’t even aware of this. This is dangerous, because high blood pressure affects our overall health and increases our risk to develop serious, even deadly conditions. Among them, there is heart disease, strokes and even dementia. High blood pressure stresses our heart, because it has to make a bigger effort to pump our blood, so in the long run our cardiac muscle can wear out and start failing.
Helps you lose weight
Obesity and overweight haunt our population, and are proven to cause countless health problems as well as emotional and social distress. The extra weight overloads our joints, bones and muscles. It compresses our organs and makes our liver work harder.
Helps your digestive system
The acids present in vinegar can complement and boost your digestive functions. As a matter of fact, apple cider vinegar is known to help fight the symptoms of acid reflux, which is digestive discomfort caused by stomach acid going up your esophagus and causing heartburn and nausea among other symptoms.
By adding some extra acid to your stomach, you give it a little help and the discomfort decreases.
Fights varicose veins
Varicose veins are the result of a circulatory problem. When blood doesn’t flow easily back up to our heart after going all the way down to our legs or feet, it accumulates in our veins and make them swell and become visible under our skin. Varicose veins are overstressed and might hurt, as well as negatively affect the way our legs look. The blue or violet color of most varicose veins is due to the lack of oxygen of venous blood.
Disinfects our homes
Apple cider vinegar has a double set of benefits regarding bacteria. On one hand, it has good bacteria inside of it, that can help our bodies in a number of ways. But at the same time, its acidity can kill many undesired lifeforms, including infectious bacteria that cause diseases.
Boosts the immune system
Killing harmful bacteria with its acidic composition isn’t the only way apple cider vinegar can protect us from infectious diseases. As a matter of fact, even when germs are already inside our body, apple cider vinegar still helps us fight the infection and stay healthy. It can even relieve us from diseases we have already caught, as well as prevent us from spreading them around us.
Relieves sore throats
If you have a cold, as you know, taking some apple cider vinegar will help you fight the infection and therefore reduce the symptoms. However, there is more than one use of apple cider vinegar in these cases. As a matter of fact, apple cider vinegar is known to help relieve sore throats.
Makes your hair look fabulous
Apple cider vinegar doesn’t only have health benefits, but also cosmetic benefits. As stated before, it has many nutrients, including minerals, vitamins and antioxidant factors that make our hair, as well as our skin, look better – but we will discuss skin benefits shortly hereafter.
Improves your skin health
Apple cider vinegar has many properties that are beneficial to your skin. Studies show that the components of apple cider vinegar improve pigmentation and help reduce the appearance of scars. It improve the texture and appearance of the skin.
Prevents and fights acne
Acne affects, in most cases, teenagers and young adults. In some rare occasions it is known to also affect older people. What few people know about acne is that it isn’t caused only by hormonal levels or increased presence of fat or oil under our skin. In most cases, especially acne that is resistant to standard dermatological treatments, bacteria are behind it.
Detoxifies your body
Apple cider vinegar has many different properties that in general have the effect of helping your body get rid of toxins, metabolic waste and other substances that can harm your health if the accumulate in your system. Apple cider vinegar is known to stimulate your lymphatic drainage, which helps clean your body and activate your metabolism.
Preserves food
Apple cider vinegar, as well as other types of vinegar, have been used for centuries in recipes to conserve food, like the famous vinaigrettes. Not only does vinegar add a special flavor to the recipe, but also helps protect it against bacteria and other factors that cause food to go bad. Apple cider vinegar is a natural and non-toxic alternative to synthetic conservatives used in food, some of which are said to have a negative effect on our health.
Tasty Recipes
Pork Chops with Apple Cider Glaze
Pork chops with a glossy apple cider glaze is really easy, and while there's no starch or extra butter involved, it reduces quickly to thick, rich, sweet-tart apple syrup.
Prep Time:
20 mins
Cook Time:
25 mins
Total Time:
45 mins
Ingredients
·
6 (6 ounce) boneless center-cut pork chops
·
salt and ground black pepper to taste
·
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
·
1 tablespoon butter
·
3 cloves garlic, minced
·
¼ cup apple cider vinegar
·
2 cups apple cider
·
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
·
1 teaspoon minced rosemary
·
1 pinch red pepper flakes
Directions
1.
Season pork chops with salt and black pepper.
2.
Heat oil and butter in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Cook pork chops in the hot oil mixture until browned on both sides and pork is slightly pink in the center, 5 to 7 minutes per side. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 145 degrees F (63 degrees C). Remove pan from the heat; transfer pork chops to a plate.
3.
Stir garlic into the pan and place over medium-high heat; cook and stir for 30 seconds. Pour in vinegar and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Add apple cider and Dijon mustard, bring mixture to a boil, and cook until sauce is reduced and thick, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in rosemary and red pepper flakes; season with salt and black pepper to taste.
4.
Return pork chops to the pan to warm slightly, 1 to 2 minutes per side.
Nutrition Facts
calories
237
total fat
11g
saturated fat
4g
cholesterol
59mg
sodium
102mg
total carbohydrate
12g
dietary fiber
0g
total sugars
10g
protein
22g
vitamin c
1mg
calcium
21mg
iron
1mg
potassium
328mg
Barbacoa-Style Shredded Beef
This shredded beef in barbacoa sauce is similar to what you'd get at Chipotle's, and it's super easy to make with this slow cooker recipe. Perfect for nachos, tacos, and burritos.
Prep Time:
35 mins
Cook Time:
8 hrs 10 mins
Additional Time:
10 mins
Total Time:
8 hrs 55 mins
Ingredients
·
1 (3 pound) beef chuck roast, cut into 6 to 8 chunks
·
salt and ground black pepper to taste
·
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
·
½ cup beef broth
·
¼ cup apple cider vinegar
·
¼ cup fresh lime juice
·
4 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, chopped
·
5 cloves garlic, chopped
·
1 tablespoon ground cumin
·
1 tablespoon dried oregano
·
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
·
3 large bay leaves
Directions
1.
Season beef chunks with salt and pepper on all sides.
2.
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, cook and stir beef until browned, 4 to 5 minutes per batch. Transfer browned beef to a slow cooker.
3.
Mix broth, vinegar, lime juice, chipotle peppers, garlic, cumin, oregano, and cloves together in a bowl until well combined. Season mixture with salt and pepper and pour over beef in the slow cooker. Stir in bay leaves.
4.
Cook on Low until beef is fork-tender, 8 to 10 hours. Discard bay leaves. Remove beef from the cooker and shred using two forks.
5.
Return beef to the slow cooker and stir to coat with sauce. Let marinate for at least 10 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts
calories
303
total fat
23g
saturated fat
8g
cholesterol
78mg
sodium
150mg
total carbohydrate
3g
dietary fiber
1g
total sugars
0g
protein
20g
vitamin c
3mg
calcium
32mg
iron
3mg
potassium
226mg
Apple Cider Beef Stew
Cubed stew beef combines with apples and apple cider to create a simple and sweet meal for the whole family to enjoy! Serve with a hearty, crusty bread.
Prep Time:
30 mins
Cook Time:
2 hrs 15 mins
Total Time:
2 hrs 45 mins
Ingredients
·
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
·
2 teaspoons salt
·
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
·
½ teaspoon dried thyme
·
2 pounds cubed beef stew meat
·
3 tablespoons olive oil
·
2 ½ cups apple cider
·
¾ cup water
·
¼ cup apple cider vinegar
·
1 large bay leaf
·
4 carrots, sliced
·
3 potatoes, cubed
·
2 onions, diced
·
2 celery stalks, chopped
·
1 large McIntosh apple, sliced
Directions
1.
Combine flour, salt, pepper, and thyme in a bowl. Toss beef cubes in the flour mixture.
2.
Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven or large pot over medium-high heat. Working in batches, brown beef cubes on all sides. Combine browned meat, apple cider, water, and cider vinegar in the pot and bring it to a boil. Add bay leaf; reduce heat to low. Simmer, partially covered, for 1 hour.
3.
Stir in carrots, potatoes, onions, celery, and apple and simmer until the vegetables are tender, about 1 hour more.
Nutrition Facts
calories
526
total fat
22g
saturated fat
7g
cholesterol
81mg
sodium
891mg
total carbohydrate
52g
dietary fiber
6g
total sugars
21g
protein
30g
vitamin c
31mg
calcium
64mg
iron
4mg
potassium
1047mg