V is for Vinegars
There are surprising health benefits to be gained from including vinegar in your diet. I thought it would be fun to discuss the merits of vinegar because fish and chips certainly would not taste so good without a sprinkling of it!
Malt vinegar is made from the malted grains of barley and is double fermented. It may be light to dark brown in colour and certainly adds a nice sharp taste.
The name vinegar is from the Latin vinum acer meaning sharp wine. It has a long history dating back to 5000 BC.
🫗 Early records from China, the Middle East, and Greece cite vinegar as a remedy for digestive problems, antibacterial, and coughs. These claims have not yet been substantiated by scientific research.
🫗 Vinegar is unique as it is used as a cooking ingredient, and condiment and may also be used as a household cleaner!
🫗 If you want to reduce your calorie intake vinegars can make zesty, fat-free alternatives to oily salad dressings. Why not be adventurous and add garlic, and herbs to increase the nutritional value of your dressings?
🫗 Vinegar is an excellent preservative, as it kills bacteria, good for pickling food. I often pickle my own beetroot which is delicious with fewer additives than the bottled varieties found in shops.
🫗 There are many varieties of vinegar; white distilled is usually used in household cleaning. Balsamic which tastes a little sweeter than malt vinegar and is good in salad dressing and marinades. Wine made from red or white wine and used in cooking, salad dressings, and marinades, to name a few.
🫗 Apple cider vinegar does have research supporting potential health benefits. It contains antimicrobial and may have antioxidant effects, but more research is required before it can be recommended as an alternative therapy.
I have used apple cider vinegar as a remedy for painful knees – you know I love to run! I soak a facecloth in the vinegar place it on the painful area, then wrap it in clingfilm for about 20 minutes twice a day. I have found this helpful. If you are struggling with a painful joint, then it is worth a try.
Live with joy and health 💚
Elizabeth Beetham