Apple cider vinegar, garlic, and honey are pretty well-known ingredients in the herbal medicine cabinet. People have been using these ingredients for years to treat a variety of ailments. Some pretty impressive health benefits come from these three ingredients. It is believed that apple cider vinegar, garlic, and honey benefits cure a lot of different diseases and ailments ranging from the common cold, flu, diabetes, acne, arthritis, heart disease, and even cancer.
Natural remedies are a great choice for people that would rather take a natural health approach than an allopathic one to cure their ailments. When it comes to apple cider vinegar, garlic, and honey benefits the natural remedies are much safer because they don’t contain any harmful chemicals or side effects like prescription medications do. Related: Comprehensive Guide to Apple Cider Vinegar Benefits and Uses For Health
Organic Apple Cider Vinegar
It has only recently become popular but used widely by different civilizations throughout history. Its unique flavor is used in many dishes and salad dressings. As well, the health benefits of apple cider vinegar can regulate blood sugar levels, lower cholesterol and protect against heart disease. Research shows that vinegar regulates insulin which helps lower blood sugar levels, thus preventing or relieving type II diabetes.
Organic apple cider vinegar is also a natural detoxifier. Iodine levels are high in apple cider vinegar so if you have over-consumed foods containing iodine you will want to avoid apple cider vinegar. Drinking fire cider recipes can help rid your body of toxic metals, chemicals, pesticides, and other harmful toxins that may be lurking in your organs.
Organic Apple Cider Vinegar has many vitamins and nutrients including potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium chloride, iron, silicon dioxide as well as several important amino acids.
Garlic
The two main ingredients of garlic contain are allicin and selenium which both provide numerous health benefits. Allicin is what gives its pungent flavor and odor. It is responsible for garlic’s antibiotic effects as well as its ability to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels. To maximize allicin, you will want to crush a few garlic cloves and let it sit about 5 minutes before consuming, this allows the allicin to be released from the garlic.
Accordingly, selenium is a powerful antioxidant that can help prevent cancer, heart disease and boosts your immune system making it stronger against bacteria and viruses. The health benefits of garlic are enormous. Garlic has anti-bacterial properties which make it great for fighting off those pesky colds and flu viruses making it a staple in the cabinet during the flu season. Garlic can also lower blood sugar levels as well as reduce high fever by fighting the infection at its source.
Garlic is also high in vitamins B6, C, and magnesium which all help to maintain healthy blood pressure, brain function, and nerve transmission. The other minerals found in garlic are calcium, phosphorous, potassium, sodium, and manganese.
Honey
From a young age, we have been told that it is important to eat our honey because bees make it from flowers, therefore, making it healthier for us. It has been used as a superfood since antiquity because of its amazing health benefits. A folk remedy medicine, raw honey was known as a healing elixir due to its antibiotic properties. effects.
Honey is antioxidant-rich and can be consumed by the spoonful or applied topically for an antioxidant boost. Raw honey contains many vitamins B1, B2, B3, vitamin C, beta-carotene, iron, and calcium among others.
Combined these three ingredients can act as an immune booster, anti-inflammatory agent, and antioxidant. The combination of the three contains all 17 amino acids which are essential for human health. Apple cider vinegar, garlic, and honey benefits include fighting infectious disease, reducing inflammation, and fighting viruses and colds.
Apple Cider Vinegar, Garlic, and Honey Benefits
Battles the common cold
Apple cider vinegar, garlic, and honey have anti-microbial benefits which help to reduce the severity of a cold. My grandmother always said garlic, honey, and vinegar drink is what you should take when you feel a cold coming on. She swears it is a natural cold medicine and I am beginning to think she might be right.
Apple cider vinegar helps the body to fight infections by strengthening the immune system. The garlic and honey combination reduces inflammation in the body which is the cause of most colds and flu. Honey is well known for sore throats and garlic is an effective combination for keeping viruses at bay.
The respiratory tract is what carries air into the lungs. The common cold creates mucus which builds up in our respiratory tract, throat, sinuses, and nose making it difficult to breathe. Honey works as an expectorant by thinning out this mucus allowing for better breathing capabilities. Related: 3 of The Best Natural Remedies for the Common Cold & Flu
Reduces Inflammation
Inflammation is the root of most pain and illnesses. Inflammation is caused when our immune system releases cells to fight infection in the body. This is a healthy response for fighting off an illness but sometimes we can overreact and cause more inflammation than needed. Adding apple cider vinegar to your daily diet can reduce inflammation because of its malic acid properties which is a key component in apple cider vinegar. Malic acid helps our bodies convert carbohydrates into energy instead of fat. The combination of garlic and apple cider vinegar is a natural anti-inflammatory food because garlic reduces inflammation in the body. Related: Apple Cider Vinegar Benefits For Arthritis
Helps reduce high blood pressure
The apple cider vinegar, garlic, and honey benefits include reducing high blood pressure through its anti-inflammatory action. The properties in garlic narrow the blood vessels in a process known as vasodilation. This widens the blood vessels and reduces high blood pressure. Garlic also contains potassium which helps to lower elevated blood pressure by relaxing the muscle cells in the walls of arteries, veins, and capillaries.
Regulates blood glucose levels
Regular intake of garlic, honey, and apple cider vinegar help to regulate blood sugar levels. Honey is known for being a natural sweetener that does not affect blood glucose levels as other sweeteners do. It has been shown that over time it will help to maintain healthy levels of insulin in the body while reducing high glucose peaks after eating.
Improves cholesterol and weight loss
Apple cider vinegar, garlic, and raw honey benefits also include improving your blood cholesterol levels as well as increasing your metabolism. Apple cider vinegar is well known in the weight loss space usually paired with cayenne pepper to naturally boost metabolism, burn fat and increase energy. With raw garlic and honey added this mixture can help boost metabolisms and ease digestive issues. Combined with a healthy diet it can help you to lose weight. Related: Apple Cider Vinegar Weight Loss Guide
Cancer-fighting properties
Honey, garlic, and apple cider vinegar benefits include fighting cancer. The antioxidant properties of raw honey coupled with the anti-inflammatory effects of garlic and apple cider vinegar reduce the risk of developing several forms of cancers, particularly colon cancer. Garlic is rich in selenium which boosts immunity against free radicals. The substances in garlic also fight cancer-causing organisms in the stomach and intestines.
Improves heart health
Garlic, honey, and apple cider vinegar benefits include good heart health. The substances in apple cider vinegar help to regulate cholesterol levels, reduce the risk of heart disease, and prevent LDL cholesterol from oxidizing which can cause arteries to harden or clog up. Liver damage is the main cause of heart disease and this process can be hindered by regularly consuming raw garlic and honey because it detoxifies the liver.
The hydroxytyrosol in garlic helps to keep LDL levels low and reduces blood pressure which is a major risk factor for heart disease. Blood clots are also a risk factor for heart disease and garlic helps to prevent them from forming by thinning the blood.
Boosts immune system
The apple cider vinegar, honey, and garlic benefits include boosting your immune system. Honey is rich in minerals that are beneficial for your immune system like zinc which boosts white blood cells, selenium which stimulates antibody production, and vitamin C which strengthens immune defenses. A study at the University of Granada in Spain showed that raw garlic was effective in fighting harmful bacteria as well as fungi and viruses.
Boosts brain health
Garlic, honey, and apple cider vinegar benefits include a healthy brain. Honey comprises a multitude of vitamins and minerals including calcium, vitamin B6, pantothenic acid, vitamin C, potassium, and iron. Vitamin B6 is necessary for the creation of brain chemicals that help to improve memory and concentration levels while calcium is required for the normal functioning of the nervous system.
Skin benefits
Apple cider vinegar can help with acne, skin irritations, and also hair growth due to its pH-balancing effects on the body. Honey contains small amounts of sulfur that helps to remove dead skin cells revealing new, healthier layers underneath. It also contains antimicrobial properties to prevent the spreading of bacteria that exacerbate acne problems and other skin issues.
This mixture is an excellent home remedy and while each ingredient has individual benefits, combined they are much more powerful. These apple cider vinegar garlic and honey benefits include the good cardiovascular, immune system, brain, skin, and hair health making it a great all-round recipe for better wellness. Related: DIY Apple Cider Vinegar Facial Toner
Improve digestion
Apple cider vinegar benefits, honey benefits, and raw garlic benefits include improvement of the digestive system. The pectin in raw apple cider vinegar helps the body to eliminate toxins as well as heavy metals that can affect digestion. The high levels of potassium, magnesium, calcium, and enzymes assist with increasing metabolism.
Apple Cider Garlic and Honey Drink Recipe
- 1 garlic clove, crushed
- 1 tablespoon of honey
- 1 teaspoon raw apple cider vinegar
Mix ingredients in a glass jar or cup and stir well. Allow standing for 10 minutes before drinking. Can be consumed daily on an empty stomach for maximum benefits. Start with a small dose of 1-2 teaspoons per day until you’re ready to increase the dosage.
This base mixture is the most concentrated and could be too strong for beginners. To help ease into add this into your daily routine here are additional tips:
- Pour the mixture into a glass of water and add lemon juice to improve taste
- While most prefer it at room temperature you can use warm water to create a tea
- You can use this mixture as a salad dressing and still reap the benefits
Potential Side Effects
Raw garlic, raw apple cider vinegar, and honey are beneficial for overall health but may not be suitable for everyone. Potential side effects are:
- Garlic can thin the blood so if you’re taking medications, have a bleeding disorder, or are scheduled for surgery then speak to your doctor
- If you have an allergy to honey, vinegar, garlic, pollen, bee stings, eggs, soybeans, peanuts, tree nuts, or wheat then it’s best not to use raw honey.