In today's world, several people use vinegar, while cooking, to enhance the taste of their food. Vinegar is also a common ingredient that is used in home remedies to cure several ailments, conditions and problems.
However, the thought of "drinking vinegar" may sound absolutely revolting to several people, because of its smell and sour taste. Vinegar has been considered a folk remedy for many years. There is a wide range of ills that vinegar supposedly cures with no scientific evidence. Medical research, however, has found some possible benefits of drinking vinegar. There are several benefits of drinking vinegar, which makes it a common practice in some cultures, according to Webmd.com.
Anecdotal evidence dates the use of vinegar for weight loss back to the ancient Egyptians. D.C. Jarvis maintained that apple cider vinegar helped to burn fat, improving the functioning of the metabolism and leading to weight loss. The "Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism" reported a study in 2010 in which 2 tsp. of vinegar ingested during mealtimes reduced the glycemic response to food by about 20 percent as compared to placebo. C.S. Johnston, from the Department of Nutrition at Arizona State University East, notes that this is "a phenomenon that has been related to satiety and reduced food consumption," according to Webmd.com.
The use of vinegar to promote cleansing dates back to Hippocrates, who recommended apple cider vinegar to cure joint pain, digestive distress and blood disorders. D.C. Jarvis wrote in his book that apple cider vinegar destroys harmful bacteria in the digestive tract-creating more efficient digestion and elimination of waste. He also noted that vinegar's ability to break up fat helped improve the functioning of the liver and kidneys, whose primary role is to detoxify the body. Apple cider vinegar contains beta-carotene, which according to the Mayo Clinic possesses antioxidant properties that counteract damage caused by free radicals and that boost your immune system. The anti-inflammatory properties of apple cider vinegar work to soothe the effects of sunburned skin when added to a bath. It can also help internal inflammation within the gastrointestinal tract.
Even though there are several benefits of drinking vinegar daily, it is important to first consult a doctor, before adding it to your diet, especially, if you suffer from any medical condition. when added to salads or taken diluted with water.