Health benefits of Vinegar
Vinegar is a weak acid and mainly composed of water and acetic acid. The pungent smell and sour taste of vinegar do not deter people from using it in cooking preparations. Initially, vinegar was produced from apple (apple cider vinegar) but now it can be produced from rice, sugarcane, palm, malt, coconut, raisin, dates, beer, kiwi, and honey.
For centuries, vinegar has been used to preserve food items or add tart to delicious preparations. But with scientific research, it has been found that vinegar may benefit you in more ways than expected. Read on to know what the nutritional benefits of consuming vinegar are.
Vinegar is a weak acid and mainly composed of water and acetic acid. The pungent smell and sour taste of vinegar do not deter people from using it in cooking preparations. Initially, vinegar was produced from apple (apple cider vinegar) but now it can be produced from rice, sugarcane, palm, malt, coconut, raisin, dates, beer, kiwi, and honey.
Use of vinegar dates back to 3000 BC as a flavoring agent and condiment by the Egyptians, the Greek physician Hippocrates used it in the form of medicine around 400 BC, Chinese physician (Sung Tse) suggested to clean hands with vinegar before performing surgeries. During biblical times, vinegar was used as a tonic to improve health.
Vinegar is produced similar to wine, by the fermentation of ethanol using acetic acid bacteria. 100g of apple cider vinegar contains 94g water, 21 kcal energy, nearly 1g carbohydrates, 0.4g sugar, 7mg calcium, 5mg magnesium, 0.2mg iron, 8mg phosphorus, 73mg potassium, 5mg sodium, and 5mg acetic acid.
Vinegar is known to provide many health benefits. It is used as food preservative since ages because of its antibacterial properties that control the growth of micro organisms.
People with diabetes are benefited from regular consumption of vinegar as it has been studied to stimulate insulin production and raises insulin sensitivity. Consuming two teaspoons of vinegar before calling it a day may benefit in type 2 diabetes. Studies reveal that vinegar is beneficial in reducing glycemia as including vinegar in a high glycemic meal results in a positive effect on reducing the post prandial glycemia.
Scientists have also studied the significant relationship between regular consumption of dilute vinegar solutions in managing granular myringitis.
Vinegar is also known to improve immunity and studies on rats have revealed encouraging results in associating vinegar with long life and strength.
Scientists conducted a study in which they added small quantities of vinegar to certain foods that people are allergic to, such as chicken, eggs, and lentils. The sample tests on skin revealed reduced signs of allergic reactions as compared to food samples without added vinegar.
Consuming two tablespoons of vinegar every day may help to reduce increased alkalinity in blood. Antimicrobial properties of vinegar are effective in controlling microbial growth in the oral cavity. Vinegar can also treat venomous box jelly fish stings by breaking down the venom in to harmless protein molecules.
Vinegar is also effective in reducing hyper tension and vinegar from unpolished rice is beneficial in controlling the growth of colon, bladder, lung, prostate, and breast cancer cells.
Applying a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar on the scalp is beneficial to control the development of dandruff, itchy scalp, and baldness. To half a cup of cider vinegar add one liter of warm water and apply this concoction gently on your skin. This will clear away dead skin cells, leading to glowing skin.
