Healthy Kitchen: Vinegar

A recent study published in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry found that vinegar may help to keep your body from storing extra fat by breaking it down before it can settle onto your hips or stomach. Vinegar has been used for is medicinal and health properties since ancient times. The most adamant supporters of vinegar claim that it can be beneficial for almost any malady. However, many of these claims have not been proven. There are still benefits that can be obtained through eating vinegar.

• Vinegar is high in acetic acid which helps the body absorb minerals. It may be especially beneficial for women who suffer from osteoporosis because it helps to absorb calcium. Many women cannot obtain calcium through dairy products because of lactose intolerance. Calcium may also be obtained through dark leafy greens, but these greens sometimes contain compounds that inhibit calcium absorption. Fortunately, a splash of vinegar on greens can help the body to absorb calcium.

• Vinegar may help people with type 2 diabetes. It seems to inactivate some of the enzymes that turn food into sugar. This gives the body more time to assimilate the sugar and helps prevent the blood sugar spike that can be so dangerous. A study found that those who had vinegar before their meals had a higher insulin sensitivity, which means their body was better able to utilize the sugar they consumed. This is important because elevated blood sugar levels can lead to other problems such as heart disease.

• Vinegar can be used to replace unhealthy fats and salt. Saturated fats can cause such problems as elevated cholesterol levels and high blood pressure, which in turn, can lead to stoke and heart attack. Vinegar also adds lots of flavor, but hardly any calories! It only has 25 calories in half a cup!

• Vinegar can also be used to remove harmful pesticides from fruits and vegetables. Just mix 10 percent vinegar and 90 percent water and soak your produce in it for a few minutes. Then rinse your produce thoroughly and eat! (Don’t do this on tender produce such as berries—they absorb the vinegar through their porous skin.)

• Vinegar can enhance natural flavors. Use on sweet things such as strawberries to bring out the natural sweetness without using sugar. Use vinegar on veggies instead of salt. Make a salad dressing out of vinegar and olive oil. Use rice vinegar and soy sauce for an Asian flavor.
photo credit: paulshannon