The Ins and Outs of Vinegar

Apr 4, 2018
5 min read

How much of an exotic experience would you like to have with vinegars? Vinegar - the word comes from the French vin aigre, meaning sour wine. For surely, there is a world of difference in them. And what an enjoyable journey they can offer you.

My family says my forte' is sauces and a great deal of the accomplishment goes to the particular type of vinegar that I choose to use for each recipe. I actually only use a few, so I am not reaching to the nether parts of the world

to achieve my goals.

On the health side, most vinegars, due to their acetic acid content are known to help control and lower cholesterol levels, triglyceride levels and blood pressure. Most have potassium, which will help lower blood pressure, as well as, they can boost the body’s ability to absorb minerals, especially calcium.

Researchers have found a 40 % rise in the calcium amounts of chicken broth when vinegar was put into the solution.

Apple cider and wine vinegars also contain magnesium, a necessary compound that facilitates the absorption of calcium. Increased blood calcium levels help to mitigate the effects of osteoporosis and prevents painful cramping in the legs that can occur when calcium levels are low. Drinking a mild tonic of vinegar and water (up to a tablespoon in a glass of water) just before or with meals will improve your body's ability to absorb the essential minerals locked in foods. Vinegars can also be infused with herbs, flowers, and fruit for sipping or added flavor in recipes.

To remove harmful bacteria on fruits and vegetables, place produce in mix a solution of 10 percent vinegar to 90 percent water. Soak briefly then rinse.

Hopefully, after you read this, you will be a little more health conscious and a little more creative in your kitchen ventures. And your family will truly be impressed!

So let's begin....

Distilled or white vinegar - it is made either from grain-based ethanol or laboratory-produced acetic acid and then diluted with water. Distilled vinegar has been purified more than white vinegar. White vinegar is actually clear. It is usually produced from sugar cane, the extract of which is put through acid fermentation. In the process, the liquid is oxidized, causing the chemicals in it to change and become more acidic. Another way of making white vinegar is to combine acetic acid with water.

White vinegar, also known as spirit vinegar, has 5-20% acetic acid.

This is generally higher as compared to distilled vinegar’s 5-8%.

Since white contains a higher percentage of acidic content, it is more ideal as a household cleaning agent. Use to clean windows without streaks and add some to cotton balls in a bowl to remove odors in rooms.

I am just going to repeat that distilled or white vinegars should only be used for cleaning agents and not for consumption. They do have another big plus - a vinegar bath does counter skunk smell.

Balsamic vinegar - The word balsamic denotes "balm," which translates from Italian as "healing" and "soothing" medicine. It's fermented in wooden barrels, much like wine, and the taste of balsamic vinegar intensifies the longer it is aged. The flavor is a rich dried fruit characteristic, sweet, and complex and yet smooth. A little goes a long way. The color is distinctively dark.

benefits: 1. reduces the hardening of arteries

2. lowers and stabilizes blood pressure levels

3. balances your blood sugar levels

4. improves fat break-down for more energy

5. although vinegar is acidic, it has an alkalizing effect in the

body helps relieve acid indigestion

6. reduces hunger - can aid in weight loss

7. antibacterial and antiviral properties

8. has bioflavonoid called quercetin - helps fight immunity

deficiencies

9. contains resveratrol - anti-aging and anti-cancer

Great for dressings, marinades, and sauces. You can use this vinegar without any needed oil or sweetener, if you so choose. The flavor is so unique that it is used on fruit, desserts, and a dipping sauce for bread.

There are also fruit balsamics, such as fig, date, strawberry, and pomegranate. A great way to be more creative with flavor!

Red Wine Vinegar: made from red wine, though the final product is nonalcoholic. Low in calories and doesn't contain any fat.

benefits: 1. contains resveratrol - anti-aging and anti-cancer

2. reduces the risk of heart disease

3. helps manage blood sugar

4. effective against bacterial infections

5. contains probiotic bacteria if “raw and unpasteurized”

Adding a 5% solution of acetic acid ( present in red wine vinegar), produces bactericidal activity and is effective against strains of Salmonella, Yersinia and monocytogenes. Adding this to foods inhibits the development of these bacterias.

Great for dressings, marinades, pickling, and sauces. Add a splash to grains, like quinoa and millet or soups and stews for a bolder flavor. In marinades, it will induce flavors or tenderize the meat. Can be added to egg whites to make meringue fluffier. Add to doughs to enhance better flavor and texture and produce a higher rise.

Apple Cider Vinegar: only use raw, organic unfiltered with the "mother.” Made from cider or apple-must and brown in co

benefits: *Is rated to be the most healthy*

1. increases a person’s metabolic rate

2. aids in lowering circulating blood glucose - helps diabetics

3. detoxification - liver and lymphatic tonic

4. balance your body’s pH - which can reduce risk of chronic illnesses and increase your energy levels.

5. kills unwanted bacteria when it comes into contact with it,

acting as a natural antibiotics - provides numerous benefits

related to skin, digestion and immunity health

6. good source of polyphenols - prevention of cardiovascular

diseases, cancers, osteoporosis, diabetes and neurodegenerative

diseases like Alzheimer’s.

7. helps break up mucous in your body and support lymphatic

drainage

8. improvement for varicose veins as it improves circulation in the

vein walls and is anti-inflammatory - combine apple cider vinegar

with witch hazel and rub on veins in circular motion and you should

see improvements in two weeks

9. will dissolve acid crystals in the blood and provide potassium,

calcium and other essential minerals to the body needed to ease

the leg cramps

10. health-promoting potassium - acts as a fat-flushing agent

Great for dressings, sauces, and marinades. Add to doughs to enhance better flavor and texture and produce a higher rise. Improves pie and biscuit texture. Use a splash to presoak grains, as well as, a splash in milk to make a buttermilk substitution for baking recipes.

Topically: add some to your bathwater as it draws toxins out of the body, leaving behind toned and moisturized skin. For foot or toe fungus, soak the feet in 1 cup of apple cider vinegar in water or apply directly to the affected area. For skin fungus or yeast, apply the vinegar directly. Also soothes aching and swollen feet. Great for hair rinses, facial toners and masks, and sunburns.

Pets: improve your pets health by adding to their water for probiotics, vitamin and mineral supplements, skin problems, infections, flea/tick deterrent, keeps flies off horse's grain, and ear infections.

I hope this was beneficial to you. My goal is to help provide the information that you need to make wise lifestyle choices.