Historical documentation of vinegar’s use for dye making, medicinal purposes, invigorating tonics, a condiment, and as a food preservative dates back to the earliest known records.

Natural vinegar is produced by the secondary fermentation of the alcohol in wine and is a three to five percent solution of acetic acid in water. Acetic acid is what gives vinegar its distinctive biting taste and aroma. It was probably the first commercially produced acid in the world.

Acetic acid in fundamental to our existence, not only from a essential biological standpoint, but also in the production of chemicals, light industry, textiles, pharmaceuticals, printing/dyeing, rubber, pesticides, plastics, photographic chemicals, electronics, and food processing to name a few.

In nature, a family of bacteria called acetobacter converts alcohol into acetic acid, and they are the single largest producer of acetic acid to keep Earth’s the life machine running.

The microscopic, acid resistant critters are pervasive in the environment. They thrive in the alcoholic ecological niches of flowers, fruits, water, soil, and in a dormant stage, they’re even floating around in the air we breathe. Acetobacter also thrive in the intestines of all living creatures where they are essential to the digestive process and most likely, the major suppliers of acetate to keep our system functioning.

According to the widely accepted Wächtershäuser’s theory on how primitive life forms evolved from the primordial soup, the first organic molecule in the chain of events was acetic acid. He based his theory on the fact that the formation of acetic acid is a primary step in metabolism in most all living things that provides the energy cells use to manufacture all the biological ingredients an organism needs to exist.

There is a metabolic activity essential to life called acetylation, and among many other roles the process has in the body, it also plays the key role in the repair of DNA. A study published in the 2000 Elsevier publication Cell about DNA repair states: “Data show that cells defective for DNA-break repair capability lack the histone acetylase [acetylation] activity leading to apoptotic machinery breakdown.”

Acetate hemodialysis is a common therapy for people suffering with kidney failure. In several studies, aside from acetate’s buffering effect, it has shown to aid in dialysis by dilating veins, thus increasing the effectiveness of the treatment. One 1987 study on stated: “Acetate provoked vascular dilatation, which was compensated for by a heart rate-dependent increase in cardiac index.”

Acetic acid is fundamental to the biochemistry of almost all forms of life. It’s the foundation for the acetyl/acetate group which is a plays the essential in the Krebs Cycle/Citric Acid cycle. The Krebs Cycle occurs in all plants and animals. The importance of the function lies in the efficiency with which it captures energy released from nutrient molecules and stores it in a usable form.

In humans and animals, functioning of the Krebs cycle relies on a product produced in our system called Acetyl Coenzyme A created during the synthesis of fatty acids.

Another acetate-based enzyme called Acetyl Cholinesterase/AchE is integral to the operation of brain functions and the central nervous system.

In fact, there are a number of acetyl-based enzymes that are essential to human/animal life down to the chemical composition of genes.

Curiously, when it comes to explaining where the acetate comes from to feed the processes, scientists’ explanations seem to be somewhat vague, convoluted, and often, contradictory. However, aside from the metabolic production of acetate by organ functions, large amounts of acetic acid is produced by acetobacter in the intestines which is absorbed into the system; and it would logically appear that that process provides most of the acetate needed.

In a 1985 study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, Carbohydrate fermentation in the human colon and its relation to acetate concentrations in venous blood, the authors’ state: “These studies show that the large intestine makes an important contribution to blood acetate levels in man and that fermentation may influence metabolic processes well beyond the wall of this organ.”

Several studies suggest that there may be such a thing as an acetate deficiency, and acetate supplementation may be useful in the treatment of Canavan disease, a hereditary, neurodegenerative disorder.

In folk medicine, apple cider vinegar is touted as a cure for many health problems such as a host of allergies, sinus infections, acne, high cholesterol, flu, chronic fatigue, candida, acid reflux, sore throats, contact dermatitis, arthritis, and gout.   While apple cider vinegar is the traditional choice, the only ingredient of any volume that may have an effect at the dosage recommended (one – two tablespoons a day) is acetic acid.

As far as cider vinegar’s effectiveness for alleviating gout and arthritis symptoms, the anecdotal (testimonial) evidence is overwhelming. And some studies give credence to the claim; however, they all point to the acetic acid content.

The interesting aspect of the cider vinegar is that unlike the parent apple for which, possibly, is the most well researched fruit, there is no research to be about cider vinegar or even plain of vinegar as having any health benefits.

To an investigative writer, in light of all the abundant health claims made for cider vinegar, the paucity of research, especially to disprove the claims, evokes a great deal of suspicion – the unmistakable aroma of a rat rotting somewhere in the woodwork. It’s most unusual not to see volumes of scientific studies into a product that is so entrenched in folk medicine.

Both the parochial scientists and naturopaths fail to see the possibility of acetate deficiencies. Maybe, it’s simply a question of ‘not seeing the forest for the for the [apple] trees.’ However, the role of acetate in animal health has been well researched in animal husbandry, and farm animal feedstock is routinely supplemented with either vinegar or acetic acid.

However, when realizing that primordial formation of acetic acid is postulated to be responsible for the creation of the first life on earth, and the essential function acetate plays in biochemistry, there has to be something special about vinegar.

It has long been said that an apple a day will keep the doctor away.  Sometimes there is great wisdom in those old sayings.  Perhaps many of the old timers were thinking of the healing power of apple cider vinegar.  For many years vinegar for heartburn has been a common prescription.  And it really works!

Perhaps you are among the many that don’t like to take prescription medications because  you are afraid of the side affects.  We have all read the many horror stories of people whose lives have been ruined by ill-prescribed drugs.

It is no wonder we see a trend of more and more people seeking natural remedies that really work.

Among these natural remedies is apple cider vinegar which has been used for thousands of years.  People have used this product to cure ailments from acne to arthritis.  People that have used vinegar for heartburn have discovered a safe, natural cure.

Acid reflux disease (or GERD: gastro-esophageal reflux disease), has plagued people for a long time, and it seems to be getting worse and more severe.  What is acid reflux?  It is an uncomfortable condition that is caused when the lower esophageal sphincter does not function properly, allowing stomach liquids to go back to the esophagus.

This condition, also known as heartburn, creates a burning sensation in the throat that can be downright scary and even affect your ability to breathe!

This is probably not news to you, because acid reflux is common.  Most people have experienced it at one time or another, especially after eating spicy foods.  It’s when it recurs several times in a week that you need to seek your doctor’s help.

Is it dangerous?  It can be.  If the lining of the esophagus is severely damaged or destroyed, you can be facing some serious health issues.  For that reason, always have your condition diagnosed by your physician or a licensed health care professional.

Heartburn is commonly treated with antacids — but some people have found this treatment makes their condition worse.  How?  The antacids reduce their stomach acid, so their body receives a signal that it is “low” on stomach acid!  The brain, in turn, instructs the stomach to begin producing more acid!    When the antacid wears off, the heartburn is worse than ever!

Instead of antacid, some people mix 2 to 3 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water and drink it before meals (or whenever they suffer heartburn.)  This works for them!

Why does this work?

Some think the acetic acid in vinegar lowers stomach acidity, actually increasing its pH.  This is because the acetic acid in vinegar is weaker than stomach acid. The vinegar seems to keep the stomach acid at a pH level around 3.0. While the stomach is still able to digest food efficiently, the milder acidic environment seems to decrease heartburn symptoms because it  less damaging to the esophagus.

While some people don’t like the taste of the vinegar in water, most admit an unpleasant taste is a small price to pay. Frankly, I don’t mind the taste at all.

People have been using apple cider vinegar for heartburn as a natural remedy for hundreds of years.  Not only do they avoid unpleasant side affects, it’s also an inexpensive treatment.  Worth a try, wouldn’t you say?

The key to living without acid reflux is finding a permanent cure. Vinegar can be used as one step in that process.  If you would like to learn about the very best cure for acid reflux, we encourage you to visit our “About the Family Blog.”  Visit the page entitled “The Best Cure for Acid Reflux.”  You will find it highly informative!

So how can apple cider vinegar help with your weight control? Well! No one really knows for sure. Scientific tests haven’t been able to prove anything about cider vinegar regarding conventional weight loss properties. The  main reason you should try cider vinegar is is not because of test-tube reseach but based on the thousands of stories by people who’ve already used it, and successfully lost weight thanks to it.

However some people do have some ideas as to why cider vinegar helps in weight loss. It is said by many that the mixture of minerals in cider vinegar is similar to those in superfruits such as the acai berry and so helps to increases a person’s natural metabolic rate. Apples, from which cider is made, are high in potassium and the specific form it takes in vinegar may be more assimilable by the body. A higher rate of metabolism makes our body assimilate and change food into energy faster. Other people have stated that cider vinegar itself actively burns up calories in your body which in turn helps the body lose weight.

Some recent investigations showed that drinking cider vinegar with or right before a meal can help you feel more full, prevening overeating. This test was a very small one, and was not conducted on hundreds of people, but nevertheless results looked good for dieters. It is known that that the inhabitants of ancient Egypt used cider vinegar for weight loss, so it must be doing something right!

There are several different ways to take cider vinegar in your dieting program. The simplest way is just to add a little bit of cider vinegar to a glass of juice or water, and drink it with a meal. Another method is to purchase capsules or pills that contain dried cider vinegar in them. Some cider vinegar supplements contain other things, like lecithin and vitamin B6, which when combined with the cider vinegar can be more effective than cider vinegar alone. (Many people take lecithin separately — it is also available from health-food stores.)

Apart from having an effective weight loss benefit, cider vinegar is also very healthy for you. It is naturally rich in many vitamins and minerals, and contains a number of substances such as Vitamin P and micronutrients like manganese and phosphorous which (proponents claim) can be as effective as resveratrol in helping to keep you looking (and feeling) younger for longer. For instance, cider vinegar also contains magnesium, calcium and iron along with the potassium mentioned above, which  can help lower blood pressure. There are  many other things  cider vinegar can also help with like  digestion, sore throats (mix with a little honey), arthritic pains and even diabetes.

However, cider vinegar is very acidic, which means it can damage your teeth, mouth or throat if taken neat, so it is important to  always dilute cider vinegar in water or juice before drinking it. If you’re very concerned about your teeth, drink the cider vinegar through a straw.