Listen Live
RNB Philly Featured Video
CLOSE
Vinegar

Source: Maximilian Stock Ltd. / Getty

I know your homegirl has been downing apple cider vinegar to help her lose weight, but while that benefit is not scientifically proven, there are several health benefits in including more vinegar in your diet. So bring back your Granny’s favorite cleaning ingredient and clean up your health instead.

MUST READ: Get It Crackin’: 5 Reasons Why Eggs Are Good For You, Yes You Read That Right!

1. Drop It Down Low Blood Sugar

While the effect vinegar has on weight loss and weight management is subtle, it does appear to help with diabetes and blood sugar control. Vinegar blocks some of the digestion of starch, (not all of it) so it may be able to inactivate some of the digestive enzymes that break the carbohydrates from food into sugar. So people with type 2 diabetes rejoice. By slowing the sugar absorption process, your insulin-resistant body now has more time to pull sugar out of the blood, therefore preventing the blood sugar level from rising so high.

2. Vinegar & Calcium Are Besties

If there is one thing that vinegar is high in it’s acetic acid. What is acetic acid? Well like other acids, acetic acid can increase the body’s absorption of important minerals from the foods we eat. If you are lactose intolerant and must get your calcium needs from non dairy sources such as dark leafy greens, (which P.S. are also good sources of calcium) a splash of vinegar can help allow your body to absorb more valuable calcium. This is great since leafy greens tend to contain compounds that inhibit calcium absorption. A side of balsamic vinegar dressing coming right up.

3. Peace Out Unhealthy Fats & Sodium

So while you may be tempted to drink vinegar straight after reading this–don’t. Again it is super acidic, so if you throw it back like shots it could harm your tooth enamel and your esophagus. However, do feel free to dilute in with 1 to 2 tablespoons in a big glass of water–that’s if you want to sip it.

I rather cook with it and drizzle it on my salads, which totally still counts since vinegar is full of flavor and not calories. In fact using vinegar as a base to salad dressings, as a sandwich booster, or even when cooking  you can also reduce the amount of salt your food needs. Hello healthy flavor booster. Vinegar contains only 25 calories in half a cup–a serving size you will never use (scroll up).

4. Freshen Up Your Produce

Speaking of your produce, the last fun and easy way to use vinegar in your diet is to prep your fruit and vegetables with it. Nowadays eating fruits and vegetables may lead to an unhealthy consumption of pesticide and other farm-chemical residues (womp), however vinegar and water combined can make a pretty dope produce wash. So get rid of harmful bacteria and mix a solution of 10 percent vinegar to 90 percent water. You can either let your produce soak briefly (be sure to rinse before consuming) or you can put your solution in a spay bottle and spritz things down pre-meal time. Oh and don’t use this on fragile fruits like berries. They are too porous and trust me, the flavor will be altered.

Change your diet, change your life!

RELATED STORIES:

Pour It On: Oil and Vinegar Pourers

CHIC EATS: Mediterranean Mason Jar Salad [RECIPE]

CHIC EATS: End Of Summer Caprese Rolls [RECIPE]

4 Reasons Adding Vinegar To Your Food Will Save Your Life  was originally published on hellobeautiful.com