Vinegar: the healthy healer

Vinegar has been valued for its healing properties for centuries.

The ancient Greek father of medicine, Hippocrates, used it as an antibiotic, and even as recently as World War I it was used to treat soldiers’ wounds. However, these days we tend to just think of it simply as a tangy condiment.

There are many different types of vinegars, but the one that’s the most beneficial is apple cider vinegar. It can
be used just like other types of vinegar, such as in dressings, or as a kind of tonic, by adding a tablespoon to a glass of water.

Some of apple cider vinegar’s health benefits are:

Sugar absorption
Vinegar appears to be able to slow down the rate at which the body absorbs sugar from food.

This assists the hormone insulin in doing its job properly, helping to prevent blood sugar levels soaring, which in turn reduces the risk of conditions such as diabetes. It can also help with controlling weight.

Improved calcium
Vinegar contains acetic acids, which can increase the body’s ability to absorb vital minerals found in food. It’s thought to be useful at helping women obtain the calcium they need for strong bones. It’s especially good for lactose-intolerant women, who can’t get their calcium from dairy products.

Calcium is also found in dark leafy green vegetables, but some contain compounds that stop the body absorbing it. A few drops of vinegar sprinkled on the greens helps to counteract this, which is why vinaigrette dressings make the perfect accompaniment for salads.

Heart disease
Studies have shown a regular intake of apple cider vinegar may help to improve levels of good high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol in the blood, and also lower levels of the bad low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. It’s thought it does this by speeding up the processing of fats in the body.

Improving good cholesterol can reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. Meanwhile, other research shows rats given acetic vinegar have lower blood pressure, which is another risk factor for heart disease.

Curbing appetite
Vinegar may be able to help with weight-loss. It does this by helping you to feel full, so you eat less. It may also help to lessen cravings for sweet treats, due to its effect on blood sugar levels.

Health watch

• Being happy may be the key to a longer life. A five-year study of 3800 people has found that the happier people reported being, the longer they lived. In fact, the most cheerful folk had a 35% lower risk of dying compared to those who were deemed to be most miserable.
• Having trouble sleeping while you’re pregnant may increase the chances of having your baby prematurely. A new study has found that disturbed sleep in both the first and the last trimester may be linked to early labour.