According to Cider Craft Magazine, there are three health benefits that come from drinking hard cider: antioxidants, vitamin C and gluten-free. Apples are known to be a type of “superfood” that contains many vital vitamins and antioxidants. It can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. WebMD suggests that apple cider specifically contains polyphenols, which act as antioxidants.
What does this mean for you? Our source explains that the polyphenols in apple cider can help the body fight free radicals and cell damage, reducing the risk of certain types of cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. Polyphenols also help relieve inflammation in the body. Hard cider is made from pure apple juice, so it offers the same health benefits that juice offers. Hard cider, like unfermented juice, contains a lot of vitamin C and a considerable amount of antioxidants.
In fact, there are more antioxidants in hard cider than in green or black tea or in vegetables such as tomatoes. Traditional hard cider doesn't contain gluten either. These benefits sound good, but enjoy them in moderation, as hard cider tends to be high in calories. From a purely health standpoint, ciders seem to have a lot more going for them, but let's be honest, you're not going to drink ciders (or beers) because they're healthy.
In just eight years, small-scale commercial and cider brands have had an impressive impact on the industry. Apple juice and apple cider can take you back to childhood or thrill you with the coming autumn days in the pumpkin patch with your own children in tow. If you have a cream-based dish, such as a casserole, try a semi-dry cider, as the effervescence runs through the rich cream. Apple cider is packed with vitamin C and antioxidants such as polyphenols and flavonoids, which give it its distinctive color.
One reason for the addition is that bitter flavors help balance the sweetness of hard cider, producing a more mature and aromatic finish. Even so, the British consume more than any other country, collectively consuming almost 40 percent of the cider produced worldwide. As colonies began to form, settlers preferred not to drink the stale water that was often all that was available and that they stopped consuming cider. With a few winter months ahead (and more depending on your location) and the flu season in full swing, getting an extra dose of vitamin C is a great idea and cider has plenty.
In fact, cider contains more antioxidants than green tea and, when consumed in moderation, can deliver positive results beyond a buzz. The actual fruit content left in apple cider means that the drink contains nutrients from apples that the natural juice version might not contain. With demand for ciders steadily increasing, breweries, bars and restaurants are meeting popular demand by offering unique and tasty cider options, whether bottled or on tap.
