My Love-Hate Relationship with Apple Cider Vinegar (And Why I'm Obsessed Now)

Discover the surprising benefits of apple cider vinegar for gut health, skin care, metabolism, and immune strength — plus practical tips and personal stories on how to use it daily

Me and apple cider vinegar have had a long relationship.

I first learned about this drink back in middle school when my friend Drew Buck told me that his mom would make him take it right before school.

“Dude, it’s so nasty, it tastes like vomit!!!” he said.

So I forbid apple cider vinegar from ever coming into contact with me.

Then I started seeing it around my house, and I got worried.

Turns out, my mom had been using it in her salad dressing — the dressing that I loved. Hmm. Interesting.

One day, I had to see for myself if Drew was just over exaggerating or if I was about to get a small dose of vomit. I went to my kitchen, twisted open the glass bottle of Bragg's apple cider vinegar (you know, the one with the two pilgrim-looking people on the label), and smelled it.

He was right: it had the slightest hint of apple, overaccompanied by harsh, hot acidity. I took a sip. Man, it wasn’t exactly vomit, but boy was it gnarly.
It reminded me of a lemon who went rogue and joined a whole new group of citrus.

My throat burned a little, my stomach felt weird — and that was that.
(Although... I think I pooped really good the next day.)

Fast forward 10 or so years — now I’m an apple cider vinegar fiend. I’ve been using it regularly, weekly, and then daily for a couple of years now, and I’ve been blown away at how versatile and effective this drink can be.

The Versatile Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar

Let’s start with a benefit you might not have thought of: skin health.

One of the plant compounds — or you could say, the MVP of the show — is acetic acid. It’s really amazing to ingest but also to put on your skin.

Acetic acid has antimicrobial effects that can help reduce acne-causing bacteria on the skin. Studies also show that ACV can disrupt bacterial biofilms — microbial communities that are formed with mucus — and help eliminate them.
It also acts as a gentle exfoliant and can help balance the skin's pH, especially for those with oily and acne-prone skin just like myself.

Acetic acid also helps break down other molecules to make them more absorbable. That's why I mix my Alitura clay mask every Sunday after my infrared sauna session with half water, half apple cider vinegar — to get all of those amazing benefits and have them synergize.

It’s amazing how much better my skin feels and looks after doing this.

But it’s not just about the outside.

I’ve also noticed insane benefits from drinking this stuff, especially when I combine it with raw honey and herbs, making a powerful blend called an oxymel — which you’ll learn more about later in this article, including where to find an amazing version.

Gut Health and the Magic of the “Mother”

We can now talk about something that benefits everything: a healthy microbiome.

ACV contains acetic acid, which may aid digestion by improving the breakdown of food, particularly proteins. Some individuals report reduced bloating and gas after consuming diluted ACV, possibly due to its impact on the gut microbiome. Additionally, unpasteurized ACV contains the "mother," a collection of beneficial bacteria and enzymes that can support digestive health.

🧬 What Is the “Mother” in Apple Cider Vinegar?

The "mother" in ACV refers to the cloudy, stringy mass you might notice floating in raw, unfiltered vinegar. This substance forms naturally during the fermentation process and is composed of a complex community of beneficial bacteria, yeasts, enzymes, and proteins.

Specifically, it includes:

• Acetic Acid Bacteria: Primarily from the Acetobacter and Komagataeibacter genera, responsible for converting ethanol into acetic acid, giving vinegar its sour taste.

• Lactic Acid Bacteria: Strains such as Lactobacillus and Oenococcus, contributing to the probiotic content.

• Yeasts: Like Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which initiate fermentation by converting sugars into alcohol.

• Enzymes and Proteins: Byproducts of fermentation that contribute to the nutritional profile of the vinegar.

For instance, a study on Shanxi aged vinegar (a type of Chinese vinegar) in mice demonstrated an increase in beneficial bacteria like Akkermansia and a decrease in harmful bacteria — suggesting potential gut health benefits.

I know every time I drink it before meals, whether I pour straight apple cider vinegar into some sparkling water or take a couple shots of my oxymel mix, I’m going to have amazing digestion — and then a glorious bowel movement afterwards.

Blood Sugar and Metabolism Benefits

Speaking of dinner.

I try to drink some form of apple cider vinegar, about 1–3 tablespoons, before each meal for its amazing blood sugar and metabolism benefits.

And the results are insane.

• A small study published in Diabetes Care (2004) found that vinegar improved insulin sensitivity by 19–34% during a high-carb meal.

• Another study showed that a 12-week intake of 15 mL of ACV led to significant reductions in body weight, BMI, waist and hip circumference, and body fat ratio.

What’s causing these benefits?

Acetic Acid is the key molecule.

In the body, acetic acid has been shown to:

• Slow gastric emptying (keeping food in your stomach longer, leading to slower glucose absorption)

• Suppress disaccharidase activity (enzymes that break down carbs), leading to slower carb digestion and lower blood sugar

• Stimulate AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a cellular "energy sensor" that helps regulate fat burning and glucose uptake

This acid can help improve satiety — giving you a better grasp of when you actually feel full — which leads to more intuitive eating, something

Tim Ebl 🇨🇦

talks about extensively in his work.

Immune System Boosting and Disease Prevention

So, with amazing gut health and a faster metabolism, you're already on the path to better health. But let's talk about something that's incredibly important today: the immune system.

I learned all about the amazing benefits of apple cider vinegar and the immune system after reading Folk Medicine by Dr. D.C. Jarvis.

He wrote extensively about ACV when he was studying the health of people in Vermont. These local farmers and craftsmen were using ACV and raw honey to achieve the perfect acid-to-mineral ratio — and he documented how it helped maintain good health and prevent illness. He started his book by talking about the amazing longevity of the Vermont people. He would visit the farmers and townspeople and learn that many of them lived to around 100 years old — and still worked on their farms.

He attributed a lot of their resilience to:

• Constantly changing weather (hot, cold, windy — which forced their bodies to adapt)

• Always moving, always outdoors in nature

• And... something else interesting: a drink they constantly used.

That drink was a combination of apple cider vinegar and honey.

The Miracle of Oxymels: ACV + Honey + Herbs

Now, let’s dive into oxymels — a combination of apple cider vinegar, raw honey, and herbs.

• Oxymel comes from Greek words meaning "acid" and "honey."

• It’s a traditional remedy used for centuries to boost the immune system and treat respiratory ailments.

• When you combine raw honey and ACV, you create a perfect acid-mineral balance that supports cellular health and immune strength.

Plus, when you add herbs like garlic, thyme, elderberry, cayenne, or hyssop, you create an even more powerful concoction packed with polyphenols — potent plant antioxidants that protect against oxidative stress and inflammation.

Here is my favorite oxymel blend ever.

Unexpected Topical and Internal Uses

Apple cider vinegar isn’t just for your salad or your digestion.

It’s also been traditionally used for:

• Wound care: ACV’s acetic acid has antimicrobial properties that can help kill bacteria like Staphylococcus aureusand Pseudomonas aeruginosa (but always dilute it before applying to skin).

• Dry skin and eczema relief: ACV can help restore the skin’s natural pH balance. Anecdotal evidence suggests diluted ACV soaks or baths can soothe dry, itchy skin.

• Arthritis management: Some people claim that ACV helps dissolve acid crystals in joints, potentially easing arthritis pain. (More anecdotal than science-backed — but still interesting.)

A personal story here:

Recently, one of my favorite dogs decided it was time to play a little too hard with my arm when I greeted him. It wasn’t vicious — more like he knew I needed an opportunity to experiment with apple cider vinegar as a topical aid. (Woof woof, little scientist buddy.)

Sure enough, after cleaning the area and applying diluted ACV, it healed up much better than If I would have put alcohol on it.

How I Actually Use ACV Every Day

Now that you know all these benefits — it would be a shame if I didn’t tell you exactly how I use apple cider vinegar practically.

• I drink Fire Cider every morning — it’s a farm-made oxymel from Free Verse Farms that’s packed with ACV, raw honey, garlic, hyssop, cayenne, and thyme.

• Before meals, I take 1–2 tablespoons of oxymel (or ACV+sparkling water) to help digestion and regulate blood sugar.

🥗 Everyday Salad Dressing (Inspired by My Mom…)

This isn’t just some boring vinegar-and-oil situation. This is an upgraded, gut-healing, metabolism-boosting, inflammation-lowering dressing you’ll actually crave.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar (with the mother)

• 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (cold-pressed)

• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional, for emulsification)

• ½ teaspoon fennel seeds, lightly crushed

• ½ teaspoon dried oregano

• ¼ teaspoon sea salt (or Celtic salt)

• Fresh cracked black pepper to taste

• 1 teaspoon raw honey (for extra polyphenols)

• 1 small garlic clove, minced (optional, great for immunity)

Optional herbal boosts:
Chopped fresh parsley, dill, thyme, or rosemary.

Try out Free Verse Farms culinary herbs.

Instructions:

1. In a small jar, mix ACV, mustard (if using), and honey.

2. Slowly drizzle in olive oil while whisking to emulsify.

3. Stir in fennel seeds, oregano, salt, pepper, and any fresh herbs.

4. Taste and adjust: more honey if you want it sweeter, more vinegar if you want it punchier.

5. Store in the fridge for up to 5 days — just shake well before each use.

Serving ideas:
Pour over arugula, spinach, or a chopped veggie salad.
Also amazing over grilled chicken or fish.

🌿 Crafting Your Own Immune-Boosting Oxymel

Ingredients:

• 1 part raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar

• 1 part raw honey

• Herbs of choice (garlic, thyme, elderberries, etc.)

Instructions:

1. Fill a jar halfway with your chosen herbs.

2. Pour equal parts ACV and honey over the herbs until fully submerged.

3. Seal and let it sit in a cool, dark place for 2–4 weeks, shaking daily.

4. After infusion, strain out the herbs and store the liquid.

Usage:
Take 1–2 teaspoons daily — especially during cold and flu season.

Why Apple Cider Vinegar Belongs in Your Life

So, I’m no longer a skeptic. I’m an enthusiast.

I suggest you try it too:

Get some raw honey, find a high-quality, organic apple cider vinegar with the mother, and make an oxymel you can sip at night. Or, if you're feeling brave, take a swig before meals — or throw it on your salad.

Just a note:

Make sure you buy organic ACV, preferably from a small family farm.
After learning that Katy Perry bought into Bragg’s — and some people are noticing the new product seems diluted — I’ve shifted to buying from local farms, especially Free Verse Farms in Vermont. I talk about profit over quality here.

No, ‘Healthy’ Foods Are Not Always Healthy

Look for:

• Organic certification

• A glass bottle

• A visible “mother” floating inside

That’s the real deal — and that’s where all the skin, gut, metabolism, and immune system benefits truly come from.

Hope you guys try it out. You will feel amazing. Blessings coming your way this week!!!!

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Love you all.

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I’m grateful to my partners who create amazing health & wellness products.

• Kion

• Bioptimizers

• Alitura

• Nootopia

Disclaimer. I am not a doctor. This is just some random stuff I learned on the internet. Pretend it’s a story. Ok bye.