Vinegar, used since ancient times for everything from preservation to cooking; even for coloring Easter eggs and cleaning out coffee pots. Vinegar has also been long believed to hold healing properties; used as a tonic by the Chinese to promote strength and vitality and also as a medicine and antibiotic. Modern research is suggesting what many civilizations have believed for years may be true…linking vinegar to lower blood sugar, increased satiety and lowering cholesterol.
Most recently Japanese researchers have discovered a link between vinegar and weight loss. They found that mice who were fed acetic acid (the main component in vinegar) developed significantly less body fat (up to 10% less) than mice who weren’t fed the vinegar compound. Researches believe the vinegar may help the body produce certain proteins that may help break down fats quicker, preventing them from sticking to your backside. But keep in mind that this study was done using mice as subjects, and animal models don’t always accurately predict what may occur in humans.
This may be yet another reason to eat a colorful salad (with vinegar) everyday. Although I don’t believe vinegar is the cure to all your weight loss problems like some may claim…can you say Apple Cider Vinegar Diet…I do believe that if some of these benefits prove to be true in human studies, then vinegar can be a wonderful addition to a healthy balanced diet.
Here are some ideas on ways to incorporate vinegar into your diet:
- Splash vinegar (red wine, white wine, balsamic or herb) and olive oil on any type of vegetable salad.
- Eat pickle slices on your sandwich or enjoy a whole pickle with your lunch or dinner. (Go easy on the pickles if you need to watch your salt intake)
- Use rice vinegar in Asian or Chinese cooking.
- Use vinegar, herbs and spices to marinate meat and poultry.
- Dip bread in a mixture of olive oil and vinegar.
Also be sure to check out Josee’s French Salad Dressing recipe (which contains vinegar of course).
- Lauren
Labels: Diet, healthy tips, Lauren, Weight Loss
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Vinegar is good mixed as a dressing or in other recipes so why not! Thx for the interesting read.