Ballyhoura Artisan Food Park

We take a look at the potential benefits of adding apple cider vinegar to your diet.

Apple cider vinegar has been used for centuries to promote wellness and may have some benefits day to day. From the possibility that apple cider vinegar aids blood sugar management to its use as a tool in weight loss, there may be some good reasons to use a little bit of apple cider vinegar every day. Research into its healthy attributes is ongoing, but here are some of the positive effects it may have:

Blood Sugar Regulation

Studies suggest that taking small amounts of apple cider vinegar on a regular basis, may have a positive impact on controlling your blood sugars. It may help your glucose and insulin levels, by taking consuming a small amount prior to meals.

Possible Weight Loss Aid

This is an area where there is ongoing research and it’s early days, but apple cider vinegar may help with feelings of fullness after eating, if consumed before a meal. You usually drink a small amount that’s well diluted, so this can also help feelings of satiation when you complete your meal. There is also the possibility that apple cider vinegar may help in the consumption of fewer calories over a longer period of time.

Apple cider vinegar has also been put forward as an aid to belly fat reduction, which could also help with health benefits. Again, research is ongoing into the potential of apple cider vinegar as a fat reduction aid.

Digestive Health

Apple cider vinegar has also been used to aid digestion and it may support digestion by increased acid production in the stomach. Some people use it before meals as they feel it may reduce bloating, but research in this area is limited.

Overall Health Promotion

One of the things said about apple cider vinegar, is that is possesses anti-oxidant properties which promote health. There is also ongoing research about the potential for apple cider vinegar to have positive effects on both cholesterol levels and blood pressure. As with all vinegars, apple cider vinegar has anti-microbial properties, again aiding health.

Apple cider vinegar has long been associated with healthy lifestyle and while research is ongoing in a number of areas, it may have health benefits and promote wellness.

The content above is intended for information only and does not constitute formal advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional in relation to your health.

We show you some tasty ways to add Ballyhoura Apple Cider Vinegar to your dressings and dishes. Apple cider vinegar has a fruitiness and natural acidity that’s perfect for bringing extra flavour to salads, roasts and vegetable dishes. Here are just a few ideas for bringing that apple cider zing to your meals.

Brighten Up Your Salad Dressings

Replacing standard vinegar with Ballyhoura Apple Cider Vinegar can add an extra layer to salad dressings. A tasty vinaigrette is simple and easy to make; just combine olive oil, mustard, a touch of honey and a dash of apple cider vinegar to get a great addition to salads. Try out different amounts of each ingredient for the sweetness and acidity balance that best suits you. Apple Cider Vinegar dressing is great with walnut and cheeses and really good on different grains. Try out this recipe:

Ballyhoura Apple Cider Vinaigrette

Ingredients:

• 60 ml apple cider vinegar
• 120 ml extra virgin olive oil
• 15 g Dijon mustard
• 15 g honey or maple syrup

Simply whisk all the ingredients together for the perfect addition to salads and roast vegetables.

Marinade for Meaty Dishes

Apples and pork are a culinary marriage made in heaven and apple cider vinegar and pork are too. Apple cider vinegar is wonderful as a marinade ingredient, not only for its flavour but for how it helps tenderise the meat.

Ballyhoura Apple Cider Pork Marinade

Ingredients (for  around 500g of pork):

• 60 ml Ballyhoura Apple Cider Vinegar
• 60 ml olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic finely chopped
• 15 g Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste

Just combine the ingredients and place your pork chops or loin into the mixture and let rest for at least 30 minutes before cooking. This marinade is also great with chicken.

Perfect Pickling!

Pickling is nice way to add a bit of interest to condiments. We like this recipe for pickling red onions and these taste great on burgers, with cheese or added to a toastie.

Pickled Red Onions

Ingredients:

• 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
• 120 ml Ballyhoura Apple Cider Vinegar
• 120 ml water
• 15 g sugar
• 3g salt

This recipe couldn’t be easier. All you need to do is stir through all the ingredients over a medium heat until dissolved. Have a sterilised jar ready with the sliced onions in it and when the solution cools down, simply pour it over the onions in the jar and you’ve got perfect pickled onions ready to go.

You can also use Ballyhoura Apple Cider Vinegar for adding some extra flavour to roast veg; just mix with some olive oil and cracked pepper before placing the vegetables in the oven. You can also add a dash to sauces for a depth of flavour. Happy cooking!

We’ve all heard the old adage that “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” but just how good are apples for you? Pretty good, it turns out. We take a look at some of the benefits of apples and apple based products.

Apples are high in fibre, vital for aiding digestion and keeping you healthy. They also keep you fuller for longer than low fibre foods and of course they are a healthy low-calorie food. Apples are also rich in Vitamin C, helping your immune system and body tissues. Apples are also loaded with polyphenols, which help protect your cells from damage, so you can pack a lot of goodness in by eating just one apple each day.

Added Benefits

Did you know that the fibre and polyphenols in apples help lower blood pressure and cholesterol? The fibre in apples also feeds your good gut bacteria and increasingly we’re becoming more aware of just how important that bacteria is for a range of health benefits. Apples also have a low glycaemic index, meaning they assist in blood sugar control. The antioxidant power of apples may also have a positive link to improved health.

Ballyhoura Apple Products

At Ballyhoura Apple Farm, we use 100% natural ingredients in all our apple-based products. Our apple juice and apple and beetroot juice retain more of the nutrients and antioxidants present in the apple, including polyphenols and fibre. Cloudy juice routinely has a higher concentration of beneficial compounds and Ballyhoura Apple Farm juices are no exception. Studies also suggest that cloudy apple juice can positively impact intestinal barrier function and reduce stress reactions in the gut.

Apples as a Go-To Snack

Apples really are the best of fast food and perfect for the snack on the go. They’re portable, easy to store, don’t require refrigeration so can be popped in your bag for an easy to reach healthy snack that’s great for satisfying.

Apple Cider Vinegar and Wellness

Long thought to have positive health benefits, apple cider vinegar also adds flavour to a range of foods. It has been used for centuries for taste and to promote wellness and may have some benefits day to day. From the possibility that apple cider vinegar aids blood sugar management to its use as a tool in weight loss, there may be some good reasons to use a little bit of apple cider vinegar every day. Research into its healthy attributes is ongoing, but its positive effects may range from aiding digestive health to blood sugar regulation and overall health promotion.Top of Form

So the old adage about “an apple a day”, is firmly rooted in fact and you can’t go wrong by adding some apples to your weekly shop. Ballyhoura Apple Farm apple-based products carry on the tradition of providing natural goodness using 100% juice from apples grown on the island of Ireland, so you might find yourself adding some of our juices and apple cider vinegar to your shopping basket too.