Carrot apple salad with apple cider vinaigrette

You’ve all heard about apple cider vinegar (ACV), and I personally love it so I thought I would share this recipe with you. It's been in the news for quite a while, but instead of overusing it, why not add small amounts to your food? 

The history of apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar was used in the ancient civilizations of Egypt, Babylonia, Greece and the Roman Empire. It was used for simple digestive problems, for endurance and stamina, and for external wound care.

In 400 B.C in Greece, Hippocrates treated his patients with apple cider vinegar and honey for all sorts of issues.

What's in ACV?

Apple cider vinegar is a fermented vinegar made from apples and apple cider. Unlike other vinegar, ACV is not distilled. That way enzymes, trace minerals, pectin-soluble fibre, minerals like boron and iron, and other valuable nutrients stay intact in the ‘Mother’: you can see it at the bottom of the bottles of unpasteurized ACV.

Apple cider vinegar assists the body in fighting toxins and unfriendly bacteria.

ACV and detox

Some research shows that apple cider vinegar may support liver detoxification by helping to break down proteins and other nutrients. 

ACV and weight loss

“A dilution of apple cider vinegar was drunk by Ancient Persians to prevent the accumulation of fatty tissue in the body.” - Ancient belief.

Vinegars are thought to help promote weight loss by increasing satiety between meals or by safely suppressing appetite. A double-blind study from bioscience, biotechnology and biochemistry showed that obese subjects who consumed a daily drink containing either one or two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, for twelve weeks, had significantly lower body weight, BMI, visceral fat, and waist circumference than the control group that didn't consume any vinegar.

Researchers credited vinegar’s acetic acid, which may switch on genes that pump out proteins that break down fat. However, more research does need to be conducted.

Warning - apple cider vinegar and drug interactions

Digoxin, a cardiac glycoside, interacts with apple cider vinegar. Large amounts of ACV can decrease potassium levels in the body and can increase the side effects of digoxin.

Insulin interacts with ACV and might also cause low levels of potassium. Finally, diuretic drugs interact with apple cider vinegar.

Carrot apple salad with apple cider vinaigrette 

Ingredients

• 1¹/₂ tbs ACV
• 1 cup of grated carrots
• 1 small clove of garlic, minced
• 1/2 green apple, diced
• 1/4 cup of fresh parsley, chopped
• 1/4 cup of raw almonds/walnuts/hazelnuts, chopped
• 1 tbs of honey
• 1 tbs of olive oil
• 2 cups of baby spinach leaves
• Salt and pepper, to season

Method

1. Combine ACV and garlic in a small bowl. Let stand for 15 minutes.
2. Stir together carrots, apple, green onions and parsley in a large bowl.
3. Whisk honey and oil into ACV mixture, add to carrot mixture, toss to coat, season with salt and pepper.
4. Cover and chill for two hours or overnight.
5. Add the nuts.
6. Serve the salad on a bed of spinach leaves.

Enjoy! 

Recommendation: Make sure you buy an organic apple cider vinegar with the mother.