Vinegar has been used for many centuries to heal the sick. Hippocrates started implementing vinegar to help patients in the year 400 B.C. He was one of the ancient forefathers of modern medicine and used vinegar to kill germs, treat ulcers, fractures and found it to have natural cleansing qualities. The Japanese Samurais knew the power of vinegar as well and drank it for strength and power. Medics used vinegar during the Civil War to sanitize wounds and to clean surgical tools. Today vinegar remains an ally of man as research also suggests it can help acid reflux, lower blood pressure, lower blood sugar, cancer, heart problems and may help shrink varicose veins. It's abundant in amino acids, enzymes and contains 3 calories per tablespoon. Vinegar also contains potassium, magnesium and acetic acid, which kills damaging bacteria on contact. Vinegar continues to amaze people in what it can do. Here are 8 ways vinegar can help you.

It aids a sore throat.

When a dry cough begins to irritate the back of your throat, use vinegar to kill the bacteria. Since germs can't thrive in an acidic environment, the irritation will become reduced. Mix 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar with 1/4 cup warm water, honey and gargle when needed. Since the main ingredient of vinegar is acetic acid, drinking it without it being diluted could damage the tooth enamel and the esophagus.

It gives you a boost of energy.

Vinegar can boost your energy during the day better than caffeine. The reason the concoction works is it has potassium and enzymes and these elements combat fatigue. Use a couple of tablespoons with a glass of water and add baking soda to help coat the stomach if you're sensitive. You can also add it to vegetable juice to disguise the taste.

It helps the body detox.

Dr. Josh Axe explained vinegar can help detox the body naturally and can "Stimulate cardiovascular stimulation, bowel motility and lymphatic drainage." Start drinking 2 tablespoons of vinegar in water and add a natural sweetener to flavor. The acetic acid in vinegar allows the body to absorb minerals from your foods better and allows the body to get rid of toxins.

It helps sore muscles.

Vinegar can actually remove the lactic acid that makes your muscles sore. Since vinegar contains minerals, calcium and potassium it has the capability of alleviating muscle cramps and muscle aches after a workout. "Potassium-rich apple cider vinegar can close this nutritional gap. It reduces one’s risk of developing muscle cramps associated with pre-existing cramps," thealternativedaily.com reported. Add a few tablespoons of vinegar to a cup of water and place a washcloth in the solution and apply it to sore muscles. You can also add vinegar to the bath to help soothe muscles.

It lowers blood sugar.

A study published in Diabetes Care suggested vinegar ingestion at bedtime may favorably impact waking glucose concentrations in Type 2 diabetes. "The anti-glycemic effect of acetic acid, the active ingredient in vinegar, has been attributed to reduced starch digestion." Take a drink of vinegar with warm water before going to bed and it could help keep your blood sugar levels balanced. Reader's Digest reported people with Type 2 diabetes for "Whom insulin was ineffective had lower levels of blood glucose."

It lowers blood pressure.

The news is also good for those with high blood pressure. Vinegar’s high acetic acid content may aid the body in reducing blood pressure and reducing bad cholesterol. Apple cider vinegar has also been shown to decrease levels of triglycerides and low-density lipoproteins (LDL) in your blood and increase the levels of high-density lipoproteins (HDL) or good cholesterol.

It may destroy cancer.

Some laboratory studies found vinegar may be able to decrease the growth of cancer cells or even kill them. "Japanese rice vinegar called kuroso could be a toll to kill cancer. Studies indicate that the antioxidants in kuroso inhibit the growth of many cancer cells, including colon, breast, lung, bladder and prostate cancer," the Research Center in Nara, Japan found. Nutritionists conclude by maintaining proper alkaline/acid balance in the body, this may prevent cancer. Cancer cannot live in an alkaline body and this is why Gerson Therapy is used to battle the disease. Gerson Therapy naturally reactivates your body’s magnificent ability to heal itself and ingesting vinegar plays a role in the process. "Dr. Max Gerson developed the Gerson Therapy in the 1930s, as a treatment for degenerative diseases such as skin tuberculosis, diabetes and, most famously, cancer," gerson.org shared. Along with these methods, using vinegar creates a hostile environment where cancer cells can't spread, which brings hope to many sufferers.

It's a great toner.

Mix together 1 teaspoon of vinegar and 1 cup water. Dip a cotton ball into the solution and use it as a natural toner. The alpha-hydroxy acids and acetic acid will help acne, shrink pores, eliminate bacteria, remove makeup and gets rid of dead skin cells. Vinegar also helps to balance pH and "Keeps your skin from becoming too oily or too dry by balancing the production of sebum. Rinse your face daily with apple cider vinegar if you desire balance," naturallivingideas.com reported. Also, vinegar will remove residue left from soaps which can strip the skin of its natural oils.

Vinegar is high in acetic acid, which has potent biological effects. It kills many types of bacteria, lowers blood sugar levels and helps you lose weight by making you feel full. Science is still revealing the benefits of vinegar and although not every study is conclusive, the natural power of vinegar can't be denied.