What is apple cider vinegar?

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is a product of fermented apple juice. It contains an acid called acetic acid that yields its characteristic sourness and smell. It has strong alkalising properties.

How does one use ACV?

ACV is an acid that needs to be diluted with water for safe consumption. Shaking up the bottle before use helps to mix its resting contents (‘mother’). You may also concoct it into beverages and fruit juices. It is easiest to use as a salad dressing. Just mix a tea spoon of ACV with some honey, salt and pepper. You may explore incorporating it in cooking, pickling and baking too. You can also add a spoon of it to the water used for steam during facials and clean-ups. ACV is also a wonderful hair tonic. After you’re done with shampooing and rinsing your hair, give your hair a final rinse with diluted ACV [1:1 with water].

How much ACV can be consumed?

Start with a tablespoon diluted in a glass of water and gradually move to a maximum of two tablespoons of ACV per day.

When is the best time to consume ACV?

ACV taken either on empty stomach or before food helps to cut appetite. Consuming ACV with meals helps to delay carbohydrate digestion and offers satiety [feeling of fullness].

Who can take ACV?

Anyone who is seeking weight loss, is diabetic or wants to control their cholesterol/ lipids can benefit from regular use of ACV.

For how long should I take ACV?

As with any practice, sustain the use of recommended amounts of ACV for a few months to reap its health benefits.

The benefits of ACV

The acid in ACV acts on the food eaten by delaying digestion and absorption of carbohydrates. So, the rice and bread or roti will take longer than usual to be completely digested, thereby slowing the release of sugars, which is especially beneficial for diabetics. This slow release also reduces hunger as it makes one feel full for longer by reducing appetite and thus aids weight loss.

ACV helps to minimise sugar cravings and insulin, thereby helping better blood sugar management.

What research says

There are several claims for using ACV but let’s see what research confirms.

Strong evidence

• For blood sugar control when carbohydrates are coupled with ACV in diabetics
• Improvement in insulin resistance

Promising trends

• ACV has promising existing pre-clinical research to support appetite reduction leading to lesser food consumption which requires evidence from further clinical studies on weight loss
• Management of dyslipidaemia—cholesterol and triglycerides

Poor evidence

• Use of ACV pills for acne
• For sinus problems

Precaution while using ACV

Never consume ACV directly. It is pungent and has an unappealing taste; it  may also corrode your tooth enamel. Practise the good old adage of less is more for in large quantities, ACV may cause nausea and interact with certain medications

Buying tips

Go for unpasteurised raw and unfiltered ACV for its beneficial suspended elements. Look for the type that contains the ‘mother’. The mother is a beneficial part in ACV. ACV may not cure all ailments but it sure is a cue to combine it in several dishes!

The post 10 commonly asked questions about apple cider vinegar appeared first on Complete Wellbeing.

Did you know that the banana plant is not a tree? It is actually the world’s largest herb!

There are over 300 species of bananas; however, only 20 are commercially cultivated. Also, there are two main varieties of the fruit: the sweet banana [the fruit] and the plantain [the cooking banana].

Health benefits

1. Constipation

Bananas are rich in fibre. Including ripe bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, and also overcome the problem of constipation without resorting to the use of laxatives. Avoid unripe bananas though as they are known to cause constipation.

2. Depression

Bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, the feel-good hormone. This is known to aid you to relax, improve your mood and make you feel happy.

3. Heartburn

Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body. If you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.

4. Morning Sickness

Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.

5. Mosquito bites

Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly useful for reducing the swelling and irritation.

6. Hangover

One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey (see recipe below). Banana calms the stomach and, with the help of honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels. Milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.

7. Post-menstrual-syndrome [PMS]

Vitamin B6 in banana regulates your moody blues—a common symptom of PMS.

8. Warts

Some naturopaths believe that a banana peel can eradicate a wart. Take a piece of banana skin and place it on the wart, with the yellow side out. Hold the skin in place with a plaster or surgical tape.

9. Hypertension

Some doctors in India reckon that eating two bananas a day can reduce blood pressure by 10 per cent—in just a week’s time.

Banana Recipes

Breakfast Banana Shake

Ingredients

• 300 ml skimmed milk
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 2 ice cubes
• 1 medium-sized banana-slice

Directions

Blend all the above ingredients at high speed. Pour into a tall glass and sprinkle some cinnamon or chocolate powder on the top.

This serves as an excellent breakfast, ready in minutes. It also gives you all the necessary nutrients to start your day. Your kids will love it, too. Also, “victims” of Saturday Night Fever claim this to be a great cure for their hangover.

Banana Loaf Recipe

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups unbleached flour [you can also substitute with wheat flour to make it a healthy food — but, for this, you need to add 2 beaten eggs to the wet ingredients]
• 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 2 very ripe bananas
• 1 tablespoon cooking oil
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoon water
• 1 tablespoon cooking oil
• 2 teaspoon baking powder.

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
2. Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt, in a large bowl.
3. Mash bananas, and add one tablespoon oil, white sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla, in a small bowl. Add beaten eggs to this if you are using wheat flour. You can add your choice of nuts to this mixture too. Walnuts and banana, for instance, make a great combination.
4. In a separate bowl, mix two tablespoon water, one tablespoon oil, and two teaspoons of baking powder. It gets fizzy and this is the secret to the moist soft loaf. Add mixture to the wet mixture in a small bowl and mix well. Now add the wet mixture to the dry mixture and stir until well blended.
5. Pour the batter into a greased loaf pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 50-55 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a wooden toothpick stuck in the centre comes out clean. Let the bread cool for about 10 minutes.

Serve as a tea snack or a healthy dessert. Also, warm bread can be served with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream.

Another advantage: the next time your bananas get over-ripe, you know what to do!

Last updated on 2^nd July 2020

The post 9 health benefits of bananas + 2 nutritious banana recipes appeared first on Complete Wellbeing.