Post-Halloween Hangover? This Apple Cider Vinegar Drink Will Reset Your Body After a Sugar Binge
Now that Halloween is over, many of us are likely feeling the unfortunate after-effects of eating all those sugary treats. It’s just so hard to resist the mini-sized candy, isn’t it? While there’s nothing wrong with enjoying more than a few chocolates and other sweet confections, your body might be having trouble bouncing back from the sugar overload. Eating healthier meals packed with nutrients will help put everything back in order order quickly — especially if you pair them with a few sips of apple cider vinegar (ACV).
Several studies, including one from May 2018, point to the vinegar’s ability to regulate blood sugar levels. While research continues to uncover more ways ACV can help keep us healthy (see below for many more!), this perk can be especially beneficial for post-holiday sugar hangovers. You only need a couple of tablespoons mixed in with a cup of water; you can also add a pinch of cinnamon to help the drink taste a little better, which will also aid in lowering your blood sugar level, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Resetting your body after a sugar binge isn’t the only amazing way a little ACV can help improve your life. Scroll down for all the easy and creative ways apple cider vinegar can be used to around the house and for your health.
-
Use Apple Cider Vinegar to Lose Weight and Belly Fat
Getty Images Use Apple Cider Vinegar to Lose Weight and Belly Fat Sipping a blend of 2 Tbsp. of apple cider vinegar mixed with 8 oz. of water before meals can help you shed pounds sans struggle. Studies show that the vinegar’s acetic acid curbs hunger and boosts fat burning by 10 percent. -
-
Use Apple Cider Vinegar for a Clogged Drain
Getty Images Use Apple Cider Vinegar for a Clogged Drain Clear a stubborn clog naturally! The nontoxic fix for a slow-draining sink: Pour 1⁄2 cup of baking soda down the drain, then 1⁄2 cup of apple cider vinegar. Wait 20 minutes, then run the hot water for 10 seconds. The vinegar’s acid will react with the baking soda to create fizzy bubbles that will dissolve grease and loosen buildup. Bonus: The mixture neutralizes odors, too. -
Use Apple Cider Vinegar to Get Shiny Hair
Getty Images Use Apple Cider Vinegar to Get Shiny Hair Want shiny locks for less? The fast fix for dull hair: After washing, combine 1 Tbsp. of apple cider vinegar and 1 cup of water in a spray bottle. Mist all over your hair, let sit 2 minutes, then rinse. The vinegar seals cuticles so strands better reflect the light. -
Use Apple Cider Vinegar to Perk Up Your Plants
Getty Images Use Apple Cider Vinegar to Perk Up Your Plants No matter what potting soil you try, yellow spots keep popping up on your plants. The likely culprit: high pH levels in the soil caused by hard water. To remedy this, water your plants with a mixture of 2 Tbsp. of apple cider vinegar and 1 quart of water. Repeat once weekly for three weeks. Apple cider vinegar’s acidity will restore the soil’s pH to optimal levels, plus nourish the plants with trace minerals. The result: vibrant green foliage. -
Use Apple Cider Vinegar to Prevent Bruises
Getty Images Use Apple Cider Vinegar to Prevent Bruises Ouch! You banged your shin on the coffee table — again! To ensure you don’t develop an unsightly bruise, soak a piece of gauze in apple cider vinegar and place it on the sore spot. Secure with a bandage or medical tape and leave in place for about an hour. When applied topically, apple cider vinegar increases circulation to the skin’s surface. This will prevent blood from pooling, so that a black-and-blue mark doesn’t form. -
Use Apple Cider Vinegar to Clean Pots and Pans
Getty Images Use Apple Cider Vinegar to Clean Pots and Pans Why does rice always stick to the pan? Or maybe lasagna night was a hit, but now there’s a cheese-crusted pan sitting in the sink. Rather than spending any more precious time scrubbing, nix the stuck-on bits by filling the dish with warm, sudsy water and 2 Tbs. of apple cider vinegar, then soak for 30 minutes. The acids in the vinegar will work to dissolve stuck-on food, making cleanup a breeze. -
Use Apple Cider Vinegar as an Odor Neutralizer
Getty Images Use Apple Cider Vinegar as an Odor Neutralizer Oops! You burned the microwave popcorn and you can smell the scorched kernels in your whole house — or maybe you waited a little too long to take the trash out. To eliminate any pesky odors from your home, combine 1 cup of water and 1 Tbsp. of apple cider vinegar and boil for several minutes. Apple cider vinegar neutralizes strong odors, so your home will be back to smelling fresh in no time. -
Use Apple Cider Vinegar to Prevent Dog Chewing
Getty Images Use Apple Cider Vinegar to Prevent Dog Chewing Need help keeping Fido away from your pumpkins? Sure, the jack-o’-lantern you carved looks spooky-cute, but you know it won’t be long before your pooch tries to take a bite out of it. To protect your masterpiece, combine 1 cup each of apple cider vinegar, white vinegar, and water in a spray bottle and spritz on the pumpkin. The bitter odor and taste will make your “jack” undesirable, so your pooch will steer clear. -
Use Apple Cider Vinegar to Get Rid of Fruit Flies
Getty Images Use Apple Cider Vinegar to Get Rid of Fruit Flies You tend to eat more fruit when you leave it out on the counter, but it doesn’t take long for fruit flies to flock to the tasty gems. To get rid of the pests, fill an empty wine bottle halfway with apple cider vinegar and 5 drops of dish soap; place near the fruit bowl. The apple cider vinegar’s aroma will draw the flies in, but the sticky layer of soap will trap them in the liquid. -
Use Apple Cider Vinegar to Clean Your Iron
Getty Images Use Apple Cider Vinegar to Clean Your Iron If your iron isn’t getting wrinkles out as well as it should, there may be built-up gunk clogging the steam holes. The fix: Fill the water tank with 1 cup of apple cider vinegar, set the iron upright, and turn it on the steam setting for 5 minutes. Pour out any excess liquid, refill with water, and repeat. The vinegar helps break down the deposits, so your iron will work like new. -
Use Apple Cider Vinegar to Soften Laundry
Getty Images Use Apple Cider Vinegar to Soften Laundry If you’d rather avoid chemical-laden fabric softeners when doing your laundry, which can irritate the skin, use apple cider vinegar instead. To do: Wash clothes as usual, adding 1⁄2 cup of the vinegar to the rinse cycle. Acetic acid in the vinegar helps break down detergent buildup and relaxes clothing fibers for noticeably softer laundry. -
Use Apple Cider Vinegar for Dandruff Control
Getty Images Use Apple Cider Vinegar for Dandruff Control To combat a dry itchy scalp, pour equal amounts of apple cider vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spritz on hair and scalp and wait 15 minutes, then shampoo. The vinegar’s antimicrobial properties will kill the bacteria that cause those pesky dandruff flakes. -
Use Apple Cider Vinegar to Give Your Dog Shiny Fur
Getty Images Use Apple Cider Vinegar to Give Your Dog Shiny Fur While brushing your fluffy pal, you noticed his fur looking a bit lackluster. What can help? Just add 1⁄4 tsp. of apple cider vinegar to his water bowl daily, and gradually build up to 1 tsp. of the vinegar for every 15 pounds of your pet’s body weight. (The gradual increase helps him adjust to the taste.) The potassium and B vitamins in the vinegar will nourish and strengthen your dog's hair follicles to impart a healthy shine in his coat. -
Use Apple Cider Vinegar to Remove Rust
Getty Images Use Apple Cider Vinegar to Remove Rust After digging your trusty Christmas tree stand out of the garage, you notice a few spots of rust. Apple cider vinegar to the rescue! Simply soak the rusty metal in enough of the kitchen staple to cover the tarnished areas. The vinegar’s acid will break down rust’s iron oxide, leaving metals looking like new. -
Use Apple Cider Vinegar as a Meat Tenderizer
Getty Images Use Apple Cider Vinegar as a Meat Tenderizer The secret to moist, tender beef? An apple cider vinegar marinade, which breaks down the meat’s tough fibers. To do: Blend 2 cups of apple cider vinegar, 1⁄2 cup of vegetable oil, 2 Tbsp. of soy sauce, 1 Tbsp. of Worcestershire sauce, 1 tsp. of sea salt, and 2 Tbsp. of chopped garlic. Marinate the meat in the liquid for 3 hours before cooking. -
Use Apple Cider Vinegar for Sore Throat Pain
Getty Images Use Apple Cider Vinegar for Sore Throat Pain The fast-acting remedy for a scratchy, irritated throat: Mix 1⁄4 cup of apple cider vinegar and 1⁄4 cup of water and gargle the liquid for 15 seconds. Repeat every hour or so as needed. The acetic acid in apple cider vinegar destroys illness-causing bacteria that triggers swelling and discomfort, so you’ll be feeling your best in no time. Ahhh, that's better!