Vinegar is a traditional condiment in China, with a history dating back three thousand years. In ancient times, vinegar was fermented from wine, hence it is also known as “bitter wine.” Nowadays, vinegar is produced by fermenting glutinous rice, wheat, sorghum, corn, and other grains, as well as alcohol. Vinegar plays a crucial role in Chinese cuisine, not only enhancing flavors but also aiding in digestion, softening blood vessels, and promoting health. However, many people have some vague or mistaken beliefs about the effects of vinegar.
1. Vinegar does not regulate body acidity:
Many people believe that vinegar tastes acidic and, once in the body, can adjust blood pH levels to boost immunity. Some individuals consume vinegar daily for health reasons. In reality, the human body’s blood is slightly alkaline under normal circumstances. Blood pH levels have a certain impact on the body – a slightly alkaline level is healthier, while an acidic level increases the likelihood of illness. However, consuming vinegar will not make the body more acidic. It is not scientifically proven that solely by eating certain foods can one alter pH levels. Under typical conditions, the body does not experience significant fluctuations in blood acidity or alkalinity. Only when ill, taking large amounts of medication for an extended period, or experiencing extreme dietary imbalances, might blood pH levels change. Therefore, vinegar consumption does not regulate blood pH.
2. Consuming vinegar aids in weight loss:
People often use vinegar as a weight-loss aid, by soaking soybeans in vinegar for days to create “vinegar beans” and consuming around 10 to 20 beans daily. It is believed that vinegar can enhance the body’s metabolism and prevent fat accumulation. However, a balanced diet is recommended, as prolonged consumption of one type of food without diversifying the diet can lead to nutritional deficiencies or imbalances, hence endangering one’s health.
3. Vinegar stimulates appetite:
During hot summers when appetite decreases due to the heat, consuming cool and acidic foods can stimulate one’s appetite. A simple seasoning method involves mixing vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, and chili powder to create a cold dressing, or pickling cucumbers, lotus roots, bitter gourds, etc., in vinegar. Adding these to daily meals can aid digestion. Medical experts indicate that vinegar plays a role in regulating appetite, especially for patients with chronic illnesses or elderly individuals with diminished taste perception. Slightly consuming vinegar can improve the appetite of the elderly and stimulate gastric acid secretion, thereby aiding digestion. While vinegar is beneficial for those with low gastric acid secretion, individuals with normal digestive function do not need to consume vinegar to improve digestion.
4. Vinegar helps prevent hypertension:
Consuming less salt and more vinegar is a traditional health practice. Using vinegar as a condiment to reduce salt intake can help lower the incidence of hypertension. Vinegar consumption also reduces the risk of diseases like atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, stroke, etc. Adding vinegar when cooking spare rib soup helps release calcium from the bones. Nutrition experts suggest that modest vinegar consumption is beneficial to health, but there is no need for intentional standalone consumption as it does not have any unique effects beyond what adding it to food achieves.
5. Avoid drinking vinegar on an empty stomach:
Even if one has a healthy digestive system, it is advisable not to consume vinegar on an empty stomach as it can stimulate excessive gastric acid secretion and harm the stomach lining. Instead, it is better to eat vinegar-infused dishes during meals or have vinegar an hour after eating to aid in digestion. Individuals with stomach issues, such as stomach ulcers or duodenal ulcers, should be cautious when consuming vinegar.
