Apple cider vinegar is neither new nor exotic. You might already have a bottle in your pantry or fridge to add tang to sauces and marinades. Why, then, has it become one of the trendiest products among people seeking to improve their quality of life? Quite honestly, it's because this simple liquid offers some compelling health benefits.

Before diving into what's popularized apple cider vinegar (ACV), let's talk about how it's made. During a multi-step process, crushed apples are mixed with other ingredients like sugar, yeast, and, eventually, bacteria. The result is a fermented concoction with a signature sour-sweet smell and taste. If left unprocessed and unfiltered, ACV is murky thanks to a plethora of sediment. The sediment-usually called "the mother"-has probiotic properties.

Despite ACV's place as a kitchen staple, it's been used as a homespun remedy for everything from dandruff to eczema. However, unlike many other traditional cure-alls, it's turning out to be heavy on truth and low on hype. In fact, science has now begun to test quite a few of the claims about ACV-frequently with eye-raising results. 

This is the reason that you're starting to see ACV popping up on mainstream medical sites. Though it's not a magical elixir, it's certainly powerful in its own right. Below are just some of the biggest reasons that you might want to become an ACV aficionado this year.

1. ACV is fighting the battle against diabetes.

According to the Diabetes Research Institute, more than 34 million Americans have diagnosed or undiagnosed diabetes. That's a significant percentage of the country's population. While many treatments offer diabetes management help, ACV is one of the few that's both cheap and fast-acting.

As one academic study showed, subjects with diabetes were asked to ingest two tablespoons of ACV before eating. Glucose tests were then performed 30 minutes and 60 minutes later. The tests showed lower sugar levels than occurred in a similar group that was given a placebo. This suggested that the ACV could be used in conjunction with other medicines to temper sugar responses.

2. ACV is being used as a natural appetite suppressant.

Losing weight can be difficult. ACV may be able to make it a little easier. In one exercise, participants that consumed ACV daily ate up to 275 calories less than their peers who didn't take in ACV. Though 275 calories might not sound like a lot, it can add up to slow, steady, long-term weight loss.

Since not everyone enjoys sipping on raw ACV, there are alternatives including gummies. If you're going to augment your diet with gummies, look for ones that make use of "the mother." For instance, Numo offers an ACV gummy that's created through a cold manufacturing process. That way, "the mother" is kept intact to both aid in appetite suppression and overall gastrointestinal balance.

3. ACV is warding off bacteria commonly found on salad greens.

Look through any grocery aisle that sells household cleaners. Sooner or later, you'll find one that contains vinegar. Why? Vinegar is well-regarded for its germ-fighting properties. You could even clean your countertops, bathroom sink, and tile floor with a combination of white distilled vinegar and water. You'd wind up with zero residue and a sparkling clean surface.

As it turns out, you can use ACV-which is also strong like white vinegar-to clean your veggies. When you make a fresh salad, feel free to toss it with a dash of ACV. You can put more dressing on later or not. The ACV will keep unwanted bacteria like salmonella at bay so you're less likely to get sick from your nutritious lunch.

4. ACV can give you shinier, more manageable, hair.

Have you ever wondered what the world was like before hair conditioners were status quo? Many people used vinegar rinses to give their hair a soft bounce. Additionally, families sometimes turned to vinegar to get rid of dandruff and scalp itchiness.

You'll want to water down your ACV before pouring it over your head in the shower, however. All it takes is a few tablespoons of ACV mixed with several cups of water to restore the look of your locks. For best results, leave the ACV on for a few minutes before rinsing it out. And avoid using ACV as a conditioning agent more than once a week. It's acidic, after all, which means it can be too harsh on your tresses for every day.

5. ACV can make your gut less cranky.

Stomach issues happen from time to time. But who wants to live with the constant annoyance of bloating and gas? As mentioned above, unfiltered ACV is naturally rich in probiotics, which are good for setting sour and uncomfortable stomachs.

Taking just a couple of tablespoons of ACV before or after you eat can bring relief. Some adults swear by this method of keeping their stomachs from getting distended. Of course, you may want to talk with your doctor first to rule out any other issues, like irritable bowel syndrome. However, if you're otherwise healthy but just have a cranky gut from time to time, ACV could be the perfect fix.

For a health-boosting, all-natural product that's budget-friendly and readily available, ACV checks all the boxes. If you've been looking to add something new into your wellness regimen, give it a go in any of its forms.