About Vinegar
The word vinegar has its origins from the French vin aigre, implying “sour wine. Vinegar is a liquid made of mainly acetic (CH3COOH) acid and water. The acetic acid in vinegar is derived from the process of is fermentation of ethanol by acetic acid bacteria. Vinegar is one of the most used liquids in industries, medical and domestic purposes. In this article, we shall explore the various health benefits of vinegar.
Health Benefit 1: Increasing Absorption of Calcium
The acetic in vinegar aids in absorption of minerals, iron being just but an example. It assists in absorption of calcium especially in women. Women tend to have a predisposition to bone diseases such as osteoporosis due to reduced calcium in their bones. Apart from that, they experience lactose intolerance caused by consumption of dairy product that contain calcium. Vinegars come handy in aiding them to absorb calcium.
Health benefit 2: Regulation of Blood Sugar Levels
Vinegar aids people to cope better with type 2 diabetes due to its ability to control blood sugar. High blood sugar causes complications such as impotence, blindness and cardiovascular diseases. Vinegar works by inactivating digestive enzymes that convert carbohydrates hence less blood sugar is absorbed into the blood stream. It has also been found to increase insulin sensitivity to type 2 diabetes patients such that they are able to be more receptive to insulin so that the hormone is able to work at optimum.
Health Benefit 3: Replacing Unhealthy Fats and Sodium
Vinegar helps the body manage fats and sodium when it is used a substitute for foods containing high sodium. This is important so as to lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as stroke. This is due to the considered belief that it inhibits the renin-angiotensin system.
Health Benefit 4: Treatment of Dandruff
Vinegar restores chemical balance in the skin when a few tablespoonfuls are applied on the scalp then rinsed.
Health Benefit 5: Relief from Cough
To treat a bad cough, use apple cider vinegar mixed with water, cayenne pepper and honey to make a tincture. A one-half cup of water, a table teaspoonful and four teaspoonfuls of honey are adequate to make the tincture. When taken before bedtime or when the cough starts, this mixture will give you a quick relief.
Health Benefit 6: Treatment of Arthritis
Arthritis is a form of joint disorder that is characterized by inflammation of one or more joints. Vinegar treats this condition when taken in a glass of water. In three weeks after starting this regime, you will get a relief from this debilitating condition.
Health Benefit 6: Removal of Corns
Corns and calluses (hyperkeratosis) appear as thickened parts on the surface of the skin, usually between toes and soles of feet. The anti-fungal and antibacterial properties in vinegar assist in the removal of corns.
Health benefit 7: Treatment of Acid Reflux
Apple cider vinegar has been used for ages in the treatment of gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD) a condition we commonly refer to as acid reflux.
Image Credit : Collections.Lacma
