Vinegar as a standard part of your diet usually doesn't pose a health hazard. After all, it's included in numerous dishes. However, drinking vinegar as a supplement could put you at risk for certain issues, especially if you have underlying medical conditions. As a general rule, you should consult with a physician before using vinegar outside of standard cooking.
High Acid Content
According to Health Services at Columbia University, vinegar is highly acid, and its main ingredient is acetic acid. This acid can burn the throat, mouth, esophagus, and stomach. It may also wear off tooth enamel if you drink it too often. Diluting vinegar in water can help reduce this effect, however.
Raw or Natural Vinegar
Normally, the vinegar you buy at the local supermarket has been filtered and pasteurized to remove bacteria. However, many organic, raw, and natural varieties of vinegar aren't pasteurized to maintain a higher level of nutrients, according to "The Vinegar Institute." Unfortunately, this puts you at risk for being exposed to bacteria, according to Health Services at Columbia.
Supplementation and Drug Interaction
Supplementing with vinegar, whether you drink it as a liquid or take vinegar pills, could cause drug interactions if you take prescription medications. According to "eMedTV," vinegar may interact with diuretics and insulin because it reacts in the body similarly to these drugs and could produce overdose-like symptoms.
Those Most Likely to Suffer Side Effects
Drinking vinegar on a regular basis causes problems in some people more than others. For instance, if you have problems swallowing, suffer from heartburn or have ulcers, you should avoid drinking vinegar because it could make your symptoms worse, according to "eMedTV."
Member Comments