White vinegar is a forgotten remedy and yet so versatile

Used since the 6th century, vinegar can be flavored with fruits, honey, herbs or malt. It was very popular with the Babylonians, and Hippocrates used it for various injuries.

In China, in the 10th century, it was used to disinfect the hands and in the United States it helped to treat fever, croup, edema and many other ailments.

Because of its clarity and transparency, white vinegar is also called "crystal". It is obtained from beet sugar previously transformed into alcohol (at nearly 95%) and then transformed into acetic acid by an accelerated fermentation process. It is therefore totally ecological, quickly and completely biodegradable.

It is rich in bioactive principles such as acetic acid, gallic acid, catechin, epicatechin and caffeic acid, which gives it powerful beneficial properties, but it is also a cleanser, deodorizer, disinfectant (antimicrobial), antioxidant and descaler.

As a condiment, it is popular all over the world. This product has a culinary interest, but also enormous health benefits that it is good to remember.

If you like vinegar, here are 10 good reasons to include it in your diet

1. Antimicrobial properties

Vinegar is known as one of the best natural cleaning agents largely because of its antimicrobial properties. Also when added to food, the organic acids in vinegar (especially acetic acid) help kill bacteria.
Thus, foods fermented with vinegar also have antimicrobial organic acids such as acetic, lactic, ascorbic, citric, malic, propionic, succinic, and tartaric acids.
One study found that acetic acid fights E. coli O157. Other research has shown that a mixture of lemon juice and vinegar can be effective against salmonella.

2. Antioxidant effects

The polyphenols and vitamins present in vinegar mitigate oxidative stress due to their antioxidant properties. The antioxidant molecules in cider vinegar, for example, are catechin, epicatechin, gallic, caffeic and chlorogenic acid.

3. Anti-diabetic effects

Vinegar is said to be "anti-glycemic", meaning that it has a beneficial effect on blood sugar levels. It would be the acetic acid of the vinegar which would make it possible to lower the glycemia.
It is the slowing down of the action of certain digestive enzymes which would be at the origin of this very interesting virtue.
The vinegar could really be considered as a treatment of the diabetes, because a study revealed that the absorption of vinegar would decrease the sensitivity to insulin in 19% of the diabetics of type 2, and 34% in the pre-diabetic people.

4. Cancer

The antioxidant molecules in vinegar may be useful in reducing the risk of cancer. This is particularly the case with traditional Japanese rice vinegar (Kurosu) which seems to inhibit the growth of certain cancerous cells, particularly in the case of colon, lung, breast, bladder and prostate cancer.
Kibizu, another Japanese vinegar made from sugar cane, would inhibit the growth of leukemia cells

5. Weight loss

Vinegar that works against obesity will undoubtedly help you lose weight, as it seems to promote the feeling of satiety and thus reduce the amount of food consumed. Volunteers who drank 2 tablespoons of raspberry vinegar daily for 4 weeks lost weight, while those who drank the same amount of cranberry juice gained weight.

6. Heart health

Vinegar promotes heart health in many ways. This is explained in the "Journal of Food Science": "Polyphenols, such as chlorogenic acid, present in large quantities in cider vinegar, could inhibit the oxidation of LDL and thus help prevent cardiovascular disease".
Of 2 studies conducted on rats, one showed that vinegar lowered cholesterol levels and the other that their blood pressure was reduced following the absorption of acetic acid.

7. Heartburn and acid reflux

You can easily regulate acid secretions from the stomach by diluting a tablespoon of unfiltered apple cider vinegar in a large glass of water every day.

8. Injuries

The "mother" of vinegar found in artisanal and raw vinegar has very powerful antibacterial properties that can help heal burns. Acetic bacteria will also help reduce inflammatory muscle damage caused by exercise.

9. Brain health

Another lead about the use of this condiment suggests that its consumption can improve cognitive functions because the acetic acid bacteria would produce precursor substances for the construction of brain tissue called sphingolipids.

10. Increased absorption of nutrients

Still on the subject of acetic acid, it would increase the absorption of minerals from food by the body. For example, diluting vinegar in a glass of water or adding it to your salad dressing will help your body absorb the nutrients in the vegetables you eat.

Which vinegar to choose?

• White vinegar will generally be reserved for cleaning and domestic sanitation.
• From a health point of view, it is preferable to opt for a raw vinegar, that is to say, unfiltered and of organic origin. In quality vinegars, you will observe a "mother" (particles) floating in the middle of this cloudy liquid.
• Often manufacturers distill vinegars to remove these "impurities", which diminishes the quality of the vinegar, as is the case with most refined and processed foods.
• If for health reasons you wish to consume large quantities of vinegar, turn to fermented foods instead. This way you will obtain all the benefits of the acids and at the same time you will recolonize your intestinal flora thanks to the beneficial lactic bacteria.
• If you prefer to use it as part of your meals, cider vinegar will make your dressings particularly tasty. There's nothing like a vinegar and garlic salad with raw cabbage or cucumbers.
• Vinegar can also be used to marinade fish and meat, which will tenderize them and give them a slightly spicy flavor.
• Vinegar is still very acidic, so it is not recommended to swallow it pure, as it could damage the enamel of your teeth or the tissues of your mouth and throat.
• It should always be diluted in water before swallowing.
• For long term use: ask your doctor or therapist if you are prone to potassium imbalances or osteoporosis, or if you are taking diuretics, laxatives, diabetes or heart medications.