Apple Cider Vinegar
Health Benefits

Apple Cider Vinegar: Uses, Health Benefits and FAQ

The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Apple Cider Vinegar History (Part 2)
Posted by Susan (USA)

We thank Jonothan Shiloka for emailing us the following:

Vinegar: A Natural Approach to Avian Management
By Wanda Barras

"Many herbalists recommend the use of raw, unpasteurized, unheated, organic apple cider vinegar as an important dietary ingredient for humans, farm animals and pets, including birds. The Encyclopedia of Natural Pet Care describes apple cider vinegar in this way: "Long a folk remedy, cider vinegar has been shown to improve the health of dairy cows, horses, dogs and other animals. It reduces common infections, aids whelping, improves stamina, prevents muscle fatigue after exercise, increases resistance to disease and protects against food poisoning. Cider vinegar is rich in the vitamins, minerals and trace elements found in apples, especially potassium; it normalizes acid levels [pH] in the stomach, improves digestion and the assimilation of nutrients, reduces intestinal and fecal odors, helps cure constipation, alleviates some of the symptoms of arthritis and helps prevent bladder stones and urinary tract infections."

Vinegar Through The Ages

Vinegar has been used to cure ailments for centuries. For hundreds of years, folk medicine practitioners have recommended daily doses of apple cider vinegar, not only for specific medical problems, but also for overall food health. In Asia vinegar is called the friend of Chinese herbs because it is often used to process herbal preparations. It is also successfully used in modern Chinese medicine.

Historically, the origin of vinegar was never specifically noted. Vinegar was probably discovered when one of our ancestors found that wine exposed to the air would turn sour, thereby creating vinegar. It is amongst the oldest of foods and medicines know to man. For its healing ways, vinegar has been used for thousands of years. In 400 B.C, Hypocrites, known as the father of medicine, treated patients with vinegar, making it one of the world's first medicines. Throughout biblical times, vinegar was successfully used to treat infections and wounds. For centuries medical textbooks have listed various ways to use vinegar. These uses include everything from keeping a sharp mind to purifying the waters of the body and to easing pain and alleviating dozens of other ailments. Modern laboratory analysis verifies the antibacterial and antiseptic properties of vinegar. Many of the old-time uses are just as applicable now as they were centuries ago. (Moore xii)

Natural Apple Cider Vinegar: One of Mother Nature's Most Perfect Foods

Fermenting sweet juice makes vinegar. The juice turns to wine or cider which is allowed to ferment a second time until the alcohol mixes with oxygen in the air, changing it into acetic acid and water. Natural---that is, undistilled, organic, raw, apple cider vinegar is often called one of Mother Nature's most perfect foods. Apple cider vinegar should be made from fresh, organic, crushed apples that are allowed to mature naturally in wooden barrels. Natural apple cider vinegar, found in health food stores, should be a rich amber color with the "mother" quite visible as sentiment on the bottom. The strength of vinegar is important. All varieties of vinegar contain about 4 to 7 percent acetic acid, with 5 percent being the most common amount. Acetic acid is what gives vinegar its tart and sour taste.

There is nothing beneficial about commercial distilled vinegars except for pickling, cleaning and disinfection ---they have no health value! They do not contain the health values of organic, raw apple cider vinegar with the mother still intact and viable. Distilled white vinegar and cider vinegar sold in supermarkets are considered "dead" vinegars with none of the enzymes and other live factors that make raw, unpasteurized vinegars so valuable. Distilling removes the beneficial "mother" from the vinegar, thereby, destroying the powerful enzymes and life giving minerals such as potassium, phosphorus, natural organic sodium, magnesium, sulphur, iron copper, natural organic fluorine, silicon, trace minerals, pectin and other powerful nutrients. Also destroyed are natural malic and tartaric acids, which are important in fighting body toxins and inhibiting unfriendly bacteria growth (_____ 1- 4).

Apple cider vinegar has shown to be an extremely valuable constituent in the body's biochemical operations and an essential building block in the construction of many complex substances in the body. Vinegar is low in calories and carbohydrates but does contain small amounts of calcium, phosphorus, iron and, of course, lots of potassium. A cup of ACV is 98.8% water, has 34 calories, a trace of protein, and no fat. (Moore p.viii) Acetic acid, the principal constituent in vinegar, plays an important role in the release of energy from fats and carbohydrates. It is of primary importance in the body's metabolism.

Apple Cider Vinegar Can Make Any Living Thing Healthier

Dr. D.C. Jarvis, MD who wrote "Folk Medicine, A Vermont Doctor's Guide to Good Health" and "Arthritis and Folk Medicine", is completely convinced that apple cider vinegar could make any living thing healthier. He believes, Potassium, which is found in just the right amounts in natural apple cider vinegar "is so essential to the life of every living thing and that with out it there would be no life. Potassium is the most important of all minerals that are necessary for good health." Potassium's main function is to promote cell, tissue and organism growth. It is necessary to replace dead cells and tissue. There is no better source of potassium than vinegar---particularly natural apple cider vinegar.

Dr. Jarvis believes Apple cider vinegar can help fight infection, simply by keeping fluids where they belong---in body cells, not in bacteria. Bacteria need moisture to thrive. As bacteria multiply, they will pull necessary fluids from healthy cells in order to flourish, particularly during times of stress when resistance is low. Stress is a major agent in causing a previously sub-clinical problem to break into a full-blown illness. If the process goes unchecked illness will occur. In order to defeat bacterial infections and illness it is important to keep moisture in the cells and prevent germs from depleting that moisture. According to Dr. Jarvis: "If there is enough potassium in each body cell, it will draw moisture from the [harmful] bacteria, instead of the bacteria taking moisture from the body cells." Therefore by providing natural sources of potassium in the diet (fruit, berries, sprouts, edible leaves, edible roots, etc.) and including apple cider vinegar to that diet the body cells are provided with the necessary moisture-attracting potassium. It is interesting to note that many traditional medicines used to combat bacterial illness also work by depriving bacteria of moisture and thus keeping fluids inside the cells (O'Brien p40)

Acidic pH Balance Will Discourage Bacteria, Yeast & Fungal Growth

Apple cider vinegar destroys microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, viruses and others, and prevents poisons from reaching the rest of the systems of the body. It has been proven to inhibit the growth of gram-negative bacilli, Pseudomonas, and Candida. The acid nature of vinegar makes the digestive tract environment unpleasant for germs and fungus. Apple cider vinegar has proven to be a natural treatment (and preventative) in simple cases of avian pediatric digestive disorders. Dr. Jarvis through his own research believes that apple cider vinegar will lower bloods natural alkalinity, bringing it closer to a natural healthy acid state. A naturally acidic digestive tract digestive, with the correct pH balance, will discourage bacteria and is less likely to grow yeast and fungus. Apple cider vinegar can assist the natural process of breaking food in the stomach. The acidic qualities of ACV will help break down protein, in the digestive system, for absorption into the bloodstream.

Apple Cider Vinegar On The Farm

For the past year and a half I have routinely added apple cider vinegar, to my baby birds' hand-feeding formula, to all drinking water and sprinkled some on the food of the animals here at our aviary and small dairy farm. These animals include several species of breeding exotic parrots, chickens, ducks, dogs, cats and LaMancha dairy goats. The vinegar keeps the water bowls and bottles very clean and sanitary and the animals seem to love it--- of course, the nutritional and health benefits are a plus. Apple cider vinegar added to young birds drinking water encourages early weaning and healthy weight gain and they will feather out faster. Adding a little raw apple cider vinegar to the hand-feeding formula water can prove nutritionally beneficial and help to inhibit the growth of yeast, fungus and bacteria. In formula a ratio of about 1/4 tsp per 4 oz water is best.

You may safely add cider vinegar to food and/or drinking water, starting with small amounts and building up to 1/2 to 1 teaspoon per 15 pounds of body weight or about 1 tsp apple cider vinegar (health food store variety best) to 8 oz water. That is about %1/4 cup per gallon of water and/or you may sprinkle or spray small amounts on bird's food. Gradually add small doses to food over time, you can help even the most finicky eater to accept this. Do not use metal food or water dishes when using vinegar, stainless steel is OK.

In Conclusion

Why Vinegar? Because it can be used medicinally, gets rid of poisons in the body, has disinfecting and cleaning properties and is a natural, nontoxic, biodegradable substance. That is, vinegar is an unadulterated food, a powerful cleansing agent and healing elixir---a naturally occurring antibiotic and antiseptic that fights germs and bacteria. We would be smart to make use of vinegar in our own lives and in our avian nurseries and breeding facilities. --- For a healthier, stronger, longer life for our animals and ourselves.

For further reading on vinegars medicinal and antiseptic qualities:"

Contact Information
Telephone: 337-394-6683 FAX: 775-542-2120
or 337-394-1944
Postal address: PO Box 493, St. Martinville, LA 70582

Apple Cider Vinegar History (Part 2)
Posted by Janette (Salem, Or) on 09/23/2016

This was so wonderful. Thank you. I have a beloved cat that has remained healthy from a redox signaling molecule drink called asea, but it is not working with a lung issue. It sounds like he is trying to throw up a worm, then swallows. Then hacks. Parasite meds do nada. So found your site on apple cider vinegar. He immediately calmed down with 4 ml in mouth and on cottonball in shoulder blades and on feet. I feel hopeful so am researching more on acv. Wow. Thanks.


Food Poisoning
Posted by Deirdre (USA)
★★★★★

I took a shot's worth of straight apple cider vinegar the moment I got home from a restaurant suffering from a queasy stomach. I usually dilute apple cider vinegar in water, but knew this time it had to go down straight if it was to work fast. Remarkably, it stopped my queasy stomach within 5 minutes. I am certain I did not get food poisoning because the apple cider vinegar quickly destroyed the bacteria in my colon and stomach. Amazing!


ACV and Tooth Enamel
Posted by Mama to Many (Tennessee) on 06/14/2014

I have seen concern expressed about the effect of long term use of Apple Cider Vinegar internally on tooth enamel. I have been using Apple Cider Vinegar for several years now. I put between 1 teaspoon and 1 Tablespoon in 16 ounces or more of water. I drink this almost daily, often several glasses a day. I do use a straw, but just out of preference.

Yesterday I saw my dentist. My tooth enamel is fine after using ACV in water for several years. Now, this is just one person's experience, but I thought I would pass along this information.

~Mama to Many~


Dental Enamel Issues
Posted by Doreen (England) on 03/02/2016

That is so true. It eroded my teeth enamel as well. I used to sip it every day. Now I use a straw and push it as far back as possible and swallow as quick as possible.


Allergies
Posted by Danae (Mckinney, Tx) on 07/12/2013
★★★★★

I've been drinking ACV for a few weeks now -- one shot morning and evening, with some water, and throughout my work day (a tbs or 2 in a bottle of water). I have so much more energy and end up not needing as much coffee as I used to. It also helps flush out candida and "junk" from the body. I'm hoping it'll help me shed some weight.

Yesterday my eye started feeling really itchy, not sure if it's allergies or a stye but immediately after it started swelling up I took 2 tbs of ACV with a little water in a shotglass and 30 minutes later the swelling went down tremendously. I woke up today and my eye is 90% better already!! Usually when I have allergies it takes a few days for the swelling to calm down but ACV sped up the process. Will definitely keep taking ACV :)

EC: Danae, Another option for even more energy is to add a dash of cayenne to your shot of ACV (or ACV tonic). Whew!


Dental Enamel Issues
Posted by Coco (Jupiter, Fl) on 07/05/2013

I have found a way to prevent enamel erosion when drinking a cider vinegar tonic. Get a handful of dark lettuce or other greens. Put the greens in your mouth and chew them to a mush, but do not swallow them. Push the greens to both side of your mouth so they coat your teeth. Then use a straw to drink the tonic. After you drink the tonic, you can chew the greens a little more and swallow them. With a little practice, you will find that you can keep the acid from ever touching your teeth.


Broad Benefits
Posted by Tim (Pittsfield, Ma) on 01/28/2012
★★★★★

I had real bad acid reflux and heartburn I was taking two prilosec otc tabs a day! But still had that gnawing little pain rigth below the esophagus.. Then I tried ACV 4tbls a day mixed with water cured it all!! No more prilosec!!! AVC also cured my athletes feet and kept my feet much dryer. I'm a true believer!!


Sinus Infections and Sinusitis
Posted by Delila (Tel Aviv, Israel) on 03/22/2012

My sister had very serious sinus problems and was suffering badly and said that the chronic conditions had completely ruined her life for over a year and half with mega doses of antibiotics and was considering to undergo an operation. As a last resort she went into google and looked up natural remedies for her problem and came up with this wonderful site and it has been a G-d send and read up all sorts of home remedies for the sinuses. One of the remedies was drinking 2 teaspoons of apple vinegar in a cup of water (using a straw so as not to ruin enamel of teeth) 3 times a day. From the first day she found relief to her chronic problem, but then came up with the idea of adding vinegar to a boiling kettle with water and breathing the fumes up her nose making sure not to burn herself - u must keep a distance so as not to burn herself and keep a low heat and use a towel over the head and making sure not to use too much vinegar because of the strong fumes, start with too tablespoons, if too strong add more water until comforable, if too weak add more vinegar. Since then and until this day her problem has completely gone thank G-d and I am a witness as to how much she had suffered before using apple cider vinegar. Halleluyah!!!


Acne
Posted by Melmax (Nyc, Ny) on 09/18/2010
★★★★★

LOVE! ACV. Have been taking it now twice a day for about a month. Unlike others, I have no problem with the taste. Actually like it, and don't add any sweetener. I've had acne all my life. Was told it was hormonal. Since taking apple cider vinegar (ACV), my skin has been clear and healthy looking. Also have lost some weight. And feel an overall sense of general wellness. Am keeping an eye on my varicose veins to see if it has any affect on those. Will keep you posted. But, either way, you can be sure I will keep up with the ACV.


Energy
Posted by Melanie (Ankeny, Iowa) on 03/21/2010
★★★★★

I've used ACV for about 2 months, and feel good. No weight loss, like I hoped, but aches and pains have gone away, and high energy throughout the day. I usually mix about a week's worth in water bottles and store in my fridge.


ACV Chasers
Posted by Terry (Clarksville, Arkansas, United States) on 01/09/2010

Can anyone tell if there is any disadvantage to just taking two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar orally and just quickly getting it over with? I am one of those people who just likes to get it over with quickly when it comes to unsavory tasting drinks or food.

ACV Chasers
Posted by Thomas_m (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) on 12/13/2010
★☆☆☆☆

WARNING!

ACV should not be taken straight. Dilute in a glass of water. ACV cuts the protective mouth mucus and will burn your esophagus and back of throat. (People who drink 40% alcohol straight get infections and cancer much more frequently than beer drinkers)


Apple Cider Vinegar Soak
Posted by Deirdre (Earth Clinic) on 10/07/2009

Not all apple cider vinegars are made alike.

Okay, yeah, I win this week's "ultimate dork" award. I have been faithfully following Tricia's remedy for cracked heels for days now. Yesterday, a dark and gloomy day in Atlanta, I proceeded with Tricia's remedy as usual and used a fine nail file on the cracked area of my feet and heels. Then it came to soaking them, and this is where I changed my protocol and decided to use cheap apple cider vinegar from Heinz that I bought at the store ages ago. Usually I use the organic, raw, decidedly more expensive ACV to soak my feet, but not this time. Heh heh. I filled up my casserole dish with 1 inch of apple cider vinegar (room temperature & undiluted) and then started soaking my feet as I worked at the computer. I lost track of time. Some time passed, maybe a lot of time. I came out of my Earth Clinic computer fog enough to register that my feet were FREEZING and that an hour and a half had passed. A trace longer than the half hour that I usually soaked. My feet did look pickled and prune-faced, but that didn't worry me. I went and rinsed off the apple cider vinegar. Heh heh. Then I sat down to apply the moisturizer, just as Tricia recommended, and that's when I saw my new feet. By new, I mean discolored, burned, orange-tinged feet with a dark line running across the bottom half of my ankle, showing where the apple cider vinegar stopped and the air began. They looked so ridiculous, the feet of a clown: half orange, half pasty white.

Confidentally, I was certain the new color scheme would fade within the hour. But they didn't. Or they haven't I should say. Time has passed, almost 24 hours, and my clown feet have not returned to their original color. Wish me luck.


Apple Cider Vinegar Tips
Posted by Bonnie (Stroud, Glos Uk) on 09/13/2009

I have discovered a great way to take apple cider vinegar with no taste. I bought some empty caplets 00 size off the internet.If you google empty caplets a whole list of companies come up. Then i use an empty dropper and fill them up and take them like that with plain water to swallow them. The kind of dropper i use is the sort you get for putting drops in your ears for ear wax etc as i have not seen any to buy . Taking them this way also protects the tooth enamel as it doesn't touch your teeth. I know you can get apple cider pills but there is a big question as to how much apple cider vinegar is actually in each pill and what do they do to it to get into the pill state. The empty caplet way is a sure way of getting pure apple cider vinegar in a tasteless way.You have to make them up fresh or they dissolve but it takes no time at all. I take 5 at a time as this is about a teaspoon full on the 00 size caplets

Fountain of Youth
Posted by Alfred Baron (Bangkok, Thailand) on 03/28/2009
★★★★★

please take two tea spoon in 8 oz glass of water, 3 times each day.. you can take more, NO side effects..I take before I eat on an empty stomach.. you can take when ever you want.. This stuff works .YOU will get well and stay well.. I am only 81 yrs young.. been taking it in USA for 22 years, now just retired in Thailand.. In the future i plan on bottleing it in my name.. Not to make a profit but to make people healthier.. Health is worth more than money. My organic ACV will be sold at a lower cost to fit everyones budget.
Stay well my friends
Alfred


Pain
Posted by Jim (Madison, Wisconsin) on 03/16/2009
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

I have spinal stenosis and scoliosis and my back got so bad that I started limping. I had severe pain especially if I bent over. My back literally was killing me with pain. I was taking prescription naprosen (1000 mg/per day). That had little effect on the pain. I had arthritis in both index fingers, both shoulders and my back was full of it. I remembered that I had heard or read somewhere about ACV. I found this web site and read everything I could on ACV. I was so encouraged! I went out that day and bought a qt of organic ACV. The first time I took it I wondered how could I continue taking it. However the taste was not as bad as the pain I was going through. I quit taking the pain medication and just used ACV. I take about 3 ozs. to 4ozs a day in some water. After about 3 or 4 days, I noticed the pain throughout my body starting to subsiding. By the end of 2 weeks the pain was literally gone. I can bend over with no pain, hop around with no pain and play with my cat. No more NSAIDS, only ACV. I have been telling everyone I see about this MIRACLE CURE FOR PAIN. I hope I have encouraged someone sitting on the fence to try this. By the way, there are other benefits to taking ACV.


Acne
Posted by Rachel (Hartford, Connecticut, Usa) on 07/26/2012
★★★★★

Try applying it topically for faster results. Here's my skin regimen: wash/exfoliate with a paste of baking soda and castille soap (castille soap won't dry your skin), tone with 50/50 mixture of water and ACV (I use B---- brand with the mother), then moisturize with organic virgin coconut oil. I've found all of these products at either the grocery store or a vitamin/health shop.

Since using the above procedure, my breakouts are down to near zero (I do get one or two here and there when I get stressed, but this is the exception rather than the norm). My skin just glows now -- I just wish this site had been around when I was in high school!


Acne
Posted by Ninasim (Northampton, Ma) on 09/26/2012

I'm so happy to have found this site, so much great info. I have been diagnosed several times with Candida. My body seems to be falling apart... Skin problems, allergies, lethargy and severe gastrointestinal problems for years. I started taking ACV twice a day with 5 drops of Grapefruit seed extract. It has been a week and I have so much more energy! Unfortunately, my cystic acne has broken out horribly... Worse than it's ever been. Is it possible that this means that my system is clearing out the bad stuff? Or am I making a mistake in using this as a solution?

Acid Reflux
Posted by John (Germantown, MD,USA) on 01/08/2009

Hello everyone, first i would like to say what a wonderfull website this is and i have learned a lot by reading here every night THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

I am 28 years old and i have Acid reflux, i started taking apple cider vinegar (ACV) (_____s) 1 to 2 tsp with 8 ounces of water and i saw tremendous improvement in my reflux, everything in my body started to come back to Normal, Unfortunately it also mad me constipated and it is giving me gas/Bloating and discomfort. pressure type of symptom right where Liver suppose to be, i have tried to do research of why this is happening with no success.

I am Guessing maybe because i have TOO much acid and taking ACV Makes my food go quicker without proper digestion which also causes gas and bloating? i don't know..please someone help me, no way i am giving up on apple cider vinegar it's too good, but how do i get rid of this pressure on my side of a stomach and constipation? any help would be greatly appreciated, thank you in advance and God bless.

please emaill me if possible at [email protected].

Thank you again.

Acid Reflux
Posted by Seana (Bennett, CO) on 06/02/2009

If you're experiencing constipation after drinking ACV, you'll want to drink more water. You should be drinking about 1/2 your body weight in ounces over the course of your waking hours. So, if you weigh 120lbs, you'll want to consume 60 ounces or 7.5 - 8 ounce glasses over the course of a day.

ACV is a mild cleanse. It gently cleans out your digestive system. If you've never drank it before you may have a lot to eliminate. More water will make your bowel movements softer and easier to pass. It should help with gas, pressure and bloating, too.

Sources: personal experience


Warts
Posted by Dan (Myrtle Beach, Sc, Usa) on 01/03/2011
★★★★★

YES!! My wife had some SERIOUS warts on her one leg that she refused to freeze off because it hurt and would blister so bad. She had it for years and they grossed me out. I wouldn't touch that leg. I read here about ACV working great on warts and she soaked small pieces of paper towel and held them in place with bandaids for 2 days and the big suckers turned black and then disappeared with only SOME burning! She was thrilled! Her leg still looks great 4 months later. She did the same thing on her daughter's hand, which had a few moderate warts, and the same thing happened. FANTASTIC!! I wish I could get my wife to drink it for her allergies, colds/sinuses, menstrual cycles, eczema and asthma, but she just cant get past the smell and taste. I am looking into pills for her so we'll see...


Acid Reflux
Posted by Debbie (Waverly, United States) on 09/03/2008
★★★★★

Apple Cider Vinegar has been a miracle for my mother. She has been suffering terribly from acid reflux and it was so bad the other night she felt like she could not breath. She has tried every medication over the counter and prescription and nothing has worked. She was desperate, so I thought I would look up some natural cures and found this site. I called her right away and told her about the apple cider vinegar. She tried it right away and she could not believe it. She said immediatley her throat felt better and she slept all night for the first time in weeks. She took it agian today and said she still feels great. She said she has not even taken a pill today. She used 8oz of water and a Tb. Apple cider Vinegar and a pinch of baking soda. Thanks for this site. Its a life saver. Debbie


Sinus Infections and Sinusitis
Posted by Rob (Justice, IL) on 06/24/2008
★★★★★

APPLE CIDER VINEGAR AND SINUS RINSE....I SPEAK FROM EXPERIENCE---I'VE HAD 4 SINUS SURGERIES DUE TO A DEVIATED SEPTUM, FOLLOWED BY SURGERIES TO REMOVE POLYPS... I WOULD HAVE ALLERGIES IT SEEMED YEAR ROUND.. I HAVE BEEN USING THE ACV FOR ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF, ALONG WITH DOING A DAILY SINUS RINSE (YOU CAN BUY AT ANY POPULAR DRUG STORE). I HAVE NOT HAD ONE SINUS PROBLEM SINCE-----THE ACV KEEPS THE ALLERGIES AT BAY, WHILE THE RINSE FLUSHES OUT ANY POLLENS OR DUST, ETC... IF I WOULD HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THIS 8 YRS AGO, I WOULD NOT HAVE HAD 3 SINUS SURGERIES...

Iodine Depletion
Posted by Lana (Ormond, USA) on 11/13/2007
★★★★★

Ingesting ACV has long been used for medical treatment and is sometimes very effective.. HOWEVER, one should also take an iodine supplement, such as kelp tablets or kelp extracts while using this therapy. Extended ACV consumption can remove iodine from the body, and can result in thyroid problems. (Salt also causes the same problems which is why commercial salt has added iodine.) I learned all this back in the early 1970's, and have not found this important information on iodine/ACV interaction in any articles or books recently. However I have not covered your entire site. So in case no one has mentioned this yet, it really needs to be addressed.


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