Vinegar is one of the most versatile products on the market, as it remains a popular ingredient and condiment, as well as an item used to clean everything from a computer mouse to window blinds, to de-odorizing a sink drain. But vinegar has been associated with some bold health claims, some of which might not be true. And vinegar does have the potential for negative health consequences for people on insulin, diuretics or who are sensitive to acidic foods and beverages.
The Basics
Vinegar is made from the oxidation of the alcohol in wine or cider. Three popular options are white wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar and apple cider vinegar, but vinegar can really be made of anything composed of sugar or starch. Vinegar is then used as a key ingredient in salad dressings, sauces, relishes and anything that needs a tangy taste that doesn't overwhelm the rest of the ingredients.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is sometimes touted as an effective weight-loss solution, but the Mayo Clinic suggests there is no scientific basis for such a claim. The idea that drinking a small amount of apple cider vinegar before a meal or taking vinegar supplements would help curb your appetite and burn fat more efficiently hadn't been effectively proven by March 2011. And if you opt for apple cider therapy, understand that the acidic nature of the vinegar might irritate your throat.
Vinegar Interactions
Vinegar also poses the risks of interacting with certain medications. For example, vinegar can interact with diuretics, which are used by patients to help lower their blood pressure. Diabetic patients also might find that vinegar interacts with insulin. Because of those interactions, certain people are cautioned against consuming much vinegar.
Vinegar in Cooking Might Be Safe
Apple cider vinegar is also shown to have negative effects on patients taking digoxin, a commonly prescribed drug for people with atrial fibrillation. However, that determination was reached by researchers looking at the impact on people who drank medicinally. Those same researchers believed that using vinegar in cooking would have little or no impact on the body if digoxin were also consumed.
References
- Mayo Clinic: Drinking apple cider vinegar for weight loss seems far-fetched -- Does it work?
- EFSA Journal: Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to apple cider vinegar and bowel motor function (ID 1377) pursuant to Article 13(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, Oct. 2009
- eMedTV: Apple Cider Vinegar Interactions Explained
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