Vinegar is believed to perform a variety of health benefits including lowering harmful cholesterol levels. Apple cider vinegar, in particular, contains the water-soluble fiber known as pectin which may absorb fats and eliminate cholesterol from our bodies cites the National Institutes of Health. The amino acids found in apple cider vinegar may neutralize some of the effects of harmful LDL cholesterol. Vinegar can be used in several ways to improve your cardiovascular functioning.
Beverages
If you enjoy drinking a variety of beverages, you may be able to lower your cholesterol by simply adding vinegar to them. According to the May 2008 issue of "Scientific American," adding a small amount of vinegar to an 8-oz. glass of water and drinking it as a tonic lowered cholesterol figures. There were no side effects exhibited from this tonic when compared to traditional cholesterol-lowering medications.
You can also make a tonic of 2 to 3 tsp. apple cider vinegar added to 1 cup of your favorite juice. Popular juices that are combined with vinegar include apple and/or grape, according to Apple-Cider-Vinegar-Benefits.com. To reap the cholesterol-lowering benefits of the vinegar, it is recommended you consume 3 tsp. daily. In addition to consuming the vinegar, you are advised to cut back on your fat intake and increase your consumption of fiber-rich fruits and vegetables to gain the highest level of health benefits.
Adding plain vinegar or apple cider vinegar to your favorite hot or cold tea may help you lower your cholesterol, says Apple-Cider-Vinegar-Benefits.com. If the tartness is not to your liking, the taste can be sweetened by adding 1 tbsp. honey or your favorite sweetener. It is not recommended that you drink vinegar as is due to its high acidity content.
Salad Dressings
The oil-and-vinegar combination is a popular lower-calorie salad dressing, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), that can provide nutritional and cholesterol-lowering benefits when compared to other varieties of dressings. Instead of higher fat salad dressings, such as thousand island or honey mustard varieties, the NIH recommends you substitute a lower fat dressing into your meal plan. Using apple cider vinegar, in particular, mixed with some heart-healthy oil may help you lower your cholesterol numbers, according to the American Heart Association. Heart-healthy oils include plant-based oils such as canola, vegetable, peanut, sunflower seed and olive. In fact, the Mayo Clinic recommends olive oil due to its high antioxidant level and cholesterol-lowering capabilities.
Sandwich Flavoring
Using vinegar as a lower-calorie substitute in your sandwich is recommended by the NIH. Combining vinegar with water and oil will add extra taste to your sandwich's main ingredient while also helping you to lower your cholesterol. Try adding vinegar to your guacamole to get more taste while also obtaining the cholesterol-lowering properties of the vinegar. The American Heart Association recommends using and eating heart-healthy guacamole instead of mayonnaise as a sandwich spread to obtain the antioxidant and cholesterol-lowering benefits of the avocado.
