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Tummy Tamer

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Keep apple cider vinegar on hand to treat digestive problems.
Keep apple cider vinegar on hand to treat digestive problems.
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“The Apple Cider Vinegar Companion” by Suzy Scherr explores the many uses of apple cider vinegar.
“The Apple Cider Vinegar Companion” by Suzy Scherr explores the many uses of apple cider vinegar.

The Apple Cider Vinegar Companion, by Suzy Scherr (The Countryman Press, 2016), explores simple ways to use one of nature’s most versatile ingredients. From cleaning, to cooking, to keeping your hair shiny, apple cider vinegar is a cupboard staple. With just water and apple cider vinegar, you can naturally treat digestive problems.

I do my best to eat a balanced diet; drink plenty of water; take in the recommended amount of fiber; and consume dairy, alcohol, caffeine, and sugar in moderation. But sometimes — usually due to stress, eating on the go, or a day or two of loving food just a little too much — I end up in a state that can be characterized only as “gastrointestinally challenged.” When this happens, I reach for apple cider vinegar, which I like to think of as my intestinal reset button. Because the vinegar mimics the acidic environment of the stomach and helps food to break down, it effectively reduces symptoms of reflux, heartburn, gas, bloating, abdominal pain and cramping, and constipation — they’re often caused by having too little stomach acid rather than too much. It also helps considerably with diarrhea: pectin, iron, and acetic acid, which all occur naturally in raw apple cider vinegar, combine to form a fibrous gel that helps soothe an irritated digestive tract and bulk up stool to slow things down.

To Ease Indigestion:

• 1 cup cool or room-temperature water
• 2 to 4 teaspoons apple cider vinegar, depending on the severity of your discomfort

1. Combine the water and vinegar in a glass.

2. Sip the drink slowly, over a period of 20 to 30 minutes. Relief should come gradually over this period.

To Soothe a Stomachache and/or Find Immediate Relief from Constipation:

• 1 cup cool or room-temperature water
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

1. Combine the water and vinegar in a glass.

2. Sip over a period of 30 minutes.

3. To prevent future bouts of constipation, drink this mixture up to three times daily.

To Overcome Diarrhea:

• 1 cup warm water
• 1 to 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

1. Combine the water and vinegar in a glass or mug.

2. Drink the mixture over a period of 15 minutes.

3. Repeat as frequently as once an hour until the diarrhea subsides.

More From The Apple Cider Vinegar Companion:

Homemade Cough and Cold Syrup
Jerk Marinade
Baked Apple Cider Doughnuts


Reprinted with permission fromThe Apple Cider Vinegar Companion, copyright 2016 by Suzy Scherr. Published by The Countryman Press.