The mother’s complex structure of beneficial bioactive compounds includes acetic acid, gallic acid, catechin, epicatechin and caffeic acid to name just a few. These potent nutrients provide powerful antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antiviral properties as well as an array of other health benefits (5, 6). They also give the liquid a distinct murky appearance, which may not be the prettiest to look at, but it is a sure sign your vinegar is a quality brew.
Most manufacturers pasteurize and filter vinegar as a way to prevent the mother from forming, but you actually need mother to experience some of the many amazing health benefits associated with ACV. That why it’s important to buy raw unfiltered vinegar.
Apple Cider Vinegar Health Benefits
Vinegar is a complex food containing vitamins, minerals, amino acids, polyphenols and many non-volatile organic acids such as citric, lactic, and malic acids.
These combined ingredients, according to researchers, may explain its broad range of medicinal uses and properties that include the following.
1. Prevents Infections/Kills Bacteria
Hippocrates first recommended using vinegar for treating sores and ulcers as well as other ailments such as respiratory illnesses that tend to become infected. Today, we know his claims certainly had merit as research shows vinegar is both a household disinfectant and a powerful antimicrobial for wounds.
While many studies show vinegar is effective against a variety of nasty bacteria, a more recent 2015 study further shows that even highly diluted acetic acid is an effective alternative agent for preventing infections and killing the bacteria found in burn wounds (7).
2. Lowers Cholesterol
One of the many health benefits of apple cider vinegar is its ability to lower cholesterol. According to a 2006 animal study published in the British Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers found that consuming ACV can help to lower cholesterol by essentially increasing bile production in the liver (8) .