What Are The Benefits Of Using Vinegar?

Vinegar is an acidic liquid noted for its high content of naturally occurring vitamins, minerals and amino acid. It is also commonly believed to possess powerful healing and cleansing properties and has been used for centuries to treat various ailments. While vinegar’s proposed health benefits have not been proven definitively, yet proponents of traditional medicine continue to view it as an alternative remedy for a range of conditions.

Lowers High Cholesterol

High cholesterol is a condition marked by the gradual buildup of plaque along artery walls. This buildup eventually causes the arteries to narrow and harden, which in turn increases the risk of chest pain, heart disease and heart attack. Alternative medicine frequently references vinegar intake as a natural way to treat this condition. According to a remedy found on Apple-Cider-Vinegar-Benefits.com, a daily, 3-tbsp. dose of organic apple vinegar will help lower cholesterol. Additionally, a 2006 animal study published in the "British Journal of Nutrition" lends further support to the theory by finding that vinegar helps lower cholesterol in rats.

Promotes Weight Loss

Vinegar has long been used as an alternative way to promote weight loss. Earth Clinic Folk Remedies claims that drinking 2 tbsp. of apple cider vinegar mixed with 16 oz. of water will help ease digestion and break down fat. Vinegar may also reduce water weight.

Furthermore, ingesting small doses of vinegar at mealtime may help curb the appetite. In 2005, the "European Journal of Clinical Nutrition" published a study in which participants reported feeling fuller after eating a meal of white bread supplemented with vinegar.

Relieves Congestion

Around 400 B.C., Hippocrates, also known as the “Father of Medicine,” began treating his patients with a mixture of vinegar and honey called oxymel. He claimed that it helped clear up congestion and other respiratory ailments. Hippocrates also touted vinegar as a general antibiotic, using it to treat burns and other inflammations.

Treats Acne and Blemishes

A traditional folk remedy for acne and blemishes involves treating the affected area with daily topical applications of diluted vinegar. According to HomeRemediesWeb.com, a solution of one part apple cider vinegar to three parts water will help balance the skin’s pH level and kill bacteria. Vinegar also dries up excess oil, which reduces the risk of clogged pores.

Vinegar can also be used to treat trouble skin from the inside out. Earth Clinic Folk Remedies suggests that drinking apple cider vinegar mixed with large amounts of water will promote a healthy, rosy complexion.