Health Benefits of Vinegar
Rose May Pimentel in Health
Sep 08, 2022 • 3 min Read
Vinegar is an important ingredient and condiment in Philippine cuisine. It’s hard to imagine our kitchen without vinegar – dishes would lack flavor and there are recipes that you wouldn’t be able to prepare like our adobo, paksiw, etc. Vinegar offers a range of health benefits, including weight loss, improved digestion, a stronger immune system, and a healthier heart.
Here are some of the amazing benefits of vinegar, from Organic Facts:
1. Rich Source of Antioxidants
Vinegar contains powerful antioxidants. It helps in reducing the overall oxidative stress in the body and fight off free radicals, thereby improving health and preventing premature aging.
2. Regulates Blood Glucose Levels
A study conducted on type 2 diabetics was published in the Journal of Diabetes Research and revealed that vinegar has a stimulating effect on insulin. In the case of insulin-resistant people, it helped in raising insulin sensitivity.
3. Weight Loss
Vinegar helps curb appetite and increase satiety levels, thus, it effectively boosts weight loss. It also prevents metabolic syndrome by reducing the risk of obesity.
4. High Cholesterol
The presence of a compound called chlorogenic acid prevents the occurrence of LDL (bad) cholesterol. This helps in the reduction of overall cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the body.
5. Anticancer Potential
A study conducted on the effects of vinegar on human cancer cells showed that vinegar from unpolished rice controlled the growth of the cancer cells when administered to human cancer cells like the colon, lung, breast, bladder, and prostate. The inhibition depended on doses for each type of cancer.
6. Improves Heart Health
Vinegar helps in reducing hypertension and renin activity. Studies on the effect on blood pressure showed that using it for long durations helps in controlling hypertension due to the presence of acetic acid, thus improving heart health. It also helps in reducing the risk of strokes or heart attacks.
7. Antimicrobial Properties and Antibacterial
Vinegar possesses antimicrobial properties. Studies showed that wood vinegar is effective in controlling the growth of microbial cultures. Vinegar was used as a food preservative for hundreds of years. With vinegar’s antibacterial properties, it can effectively act as a good preservative for food by controlling microorganisms that generally attack food and cause decomposition.
8. Reduces Acid Reflux and Heartburn
Vinegar with its acid content mitigates the condition of acid reflux and thereby prevents heartburn.
9. UTI and Kidney Stones
Taking two tablespoons of vinegar every day can reduce high alkalinity in the blood. Alkalinity is increased by regular metabolism, which has to be balanced by acid, making it a good choice for treating kidney stones and preventing urinary tract infections (UTIs).
10. Anti-Aging Properties
In many cultures, vinegar was used to improve immunity, associated with longer life and strength. Studies administering it to rats have shown quite encouraging results.
11. Hair Care
Vinegar is best suited for keeping your hair healthy. By applying a teaspoonful of apple cider vinegar to the scalp, it can remove dandruff, itching scalp, hair loss, and in some cases, baldness.
12. Skin Care
Vinegar helps us to have healthy and glowing skin. Take half a cup of apple cider vinegar, mix it with 1 liter of warm water and apply it gently to your skin which will become soft as the pH level begins to re-balance. Vinegar can also clear away dead skin cells and harmful toxins on your skin and can work well for sunburn.
If you want new flavors in your cooking menus or just add healthy habits to your daily routine, there’s always vinegar for you.
Stay healthy and safe!
