Drinking Vinegar And Its Health Benefits

Can someone really drink vinegar? One of the first things I heard about vinegar was it's benefit towards weight loss. I tried it but I couldn't keep up the ritual but my stomach did feel better after drinking. So personally I never proved the weight loss theory, but based on what happens with vinegar and fat when combined it is not hard to believe that it would work by breaking down fats.

One of the first things one would ask is: Is it safe to drink? Many people know that vinegar is on the acidic side and that we should not consume too much so it begs to question if, how, when and why vinegar can be consumed.

There are many different types of vinegar and I will list the most popular ones here. What I have come to realize is that most cultures have their own type of vinegar made from some item in their culture that is original to them.

• Apple cider - maybe the most popular in the western world
• White cane - definitely the most popular in the Caribbean and Jamaica, also very popular in the Philippines.
• Balsamic - very popular in Europe
• Red Wine - very popular in the Mediterranean and Eastern Europe
• White wine
• Rice vinegar - of Asian origin
• Malt

I am sure there are others especially in Asia but am unable to list them all. In Jamaica we also use ripe bananas to make vinegar but I have never seen this on the market so I assume it's just a local concoction.

Vinegar has many health benefits and can be used in many ways including cooking, salads dressing and drinking. Here are some of the benefits of vinegar.

Some tests, even though not conclusive, have linked vinegar to a low risk of esophageal cancer where it is believed that the acid in the vinegar kills cancer cells.

Another link to vinegar is the benefit of assisting the breakdown and absorption of calcium thus increasing the amount the body gets. This benefits our bones by reducing the risk of osteoporosis. Vinegar’s main ingredients is acetic acid which helps to break down certain minerals such as calcium. Having some vinegar before taking your calcium will greatly increase the amount the body actually utilizes.

In a study conducted with two groups of persons with type two diabetes, shows that the group of persons who consumed diluted vinegar solution right before bed showed a decrease in blood sugar levels of 4 - 6% in the morning as opposed to the group who did not take the vinegar.

One of the most popular uses for vinegar is to control weight. There have been no conclusive studies but there have been reports of people who drink the vinegar solution before meals who say they feel fuller on less calories than those who do not consume the solution. Not only is the direct drinking of vinegar a great impact on weight loss but the use of the product in dressings. ½ cup of vinegar carries only 25 calories while ½ cup of mayonnaise carry 800 calories.....so do the math.

There is no definite formula for drinking vinegar for health reasons. The most common dose has been 2 tablespoons to a cup of water per day. If you are taking vinegar capsules than you would be advised to follow the directions on the container. But 285 mg is the usual dose.

The thing to remember is that vinegar is acidic and it is never wise to consume to much acidic substances. While vinegar helps to maintain a balance PH in the body consuming too much may raise that level and your body becoming too acidic.

If you find drinking vinegar hard on the stomach but would still like the benefits consider taking the capsule.

Consider using vinegar for salad dressings instead of the usual creamy dressings. Vinegar and olive oil usually gives a very nice flavor and need little else to make it work.

Talk to Your Health Care Provider

This article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Consult your doctor or alternative medicine provider.