A drizzle of red wine vinegar on top of freshly-made salad instantly adds a tangy twist to the overall taste. This vinegar is a popular condiment in Spanish, Italian, and French cuisines. However, did you know that red wine vinegar is more than just a salad dressing? That’s right; this vinegar includes compounds like polyphenols and probiotics that provide numerous health benefits.
This article highlights the practical, research-backed benefits of using red wine vinegar.
Health Benefits of Red Wine Vinegar
Following are the eight health benefits of red wine vinegar:
1. Prevention of Chronic Diseases
Red wine is the main ingredient used to make red wine vinegar, which includes highly effective polyphenol antioxidants, like resveratrol. These antioxidants help in preventing cellular damaged, usually caused by free radicals. Otherwise, these free radicals can result in chronic diseases like heart issues, diabetes, and cancer.
While these antioxidants are present in this vinegar in smaller quantities in comparison to red wine, they can still offer the same antioxidant benefits.
2. Management of Blood Glucose and Diabetes
Red wine vinegar reduces triglycerides and helps fight obesity, which also reduces the risk of diabetes. The acetic acid properties present in this vinegar regulate the blood glucose in the body. Research has found that vinegar decreases elevated blood pressure in type 2 diabetes.
Another study found that consuming vinegar before going to bed can lower the blood sugar levels by 4% to 6% by the time you wake up. These findings indicate that the benefits of vinegar for blood glucose stay even hours after consuming it.
An ideal means of fighting diabetes is to reduce the number of carbohydrates you consume. However, if you are eating carbs, then including vinegar in your diet can reduce the glycemic effects.
One research highlighted the benefits of reduced triglycerides, and also highlighted the improved muscle-glucose and postprandial insulin uptake when vinegar is included in a meal.
3. Prevention of Skin Damage and Infections
The antioxidants in red wine vinegar also help fight skin damage and bacterial infections. These are the anthocyanins that give vegetables and fruits their purple, red, and blue colors.
A study indicated that the content of anthocyanin in red wine is dependent on the quality and type of red wine used to create it. The vinegar, which is made with Cabernet Sauvignon, offers the highest number of anthocyanin compounds.
The resveratrol present in this vinegar can also help in fighting skin cancer, like melanoma. Another study affirms these findings. Test-Tube research concluded that this resveratrol eliminates skin cancer cells and drastically reduced the growth of cancer cells.
The acetic acid in the vinegar can also help in fighting skin infections. This acid has been medicinally utilized for more than 6,000 years for ear, chest, and urinary infections. Any type of vinegar, including red wine vinegar, can be used on the skin after diluting it with water to decrease acidity. It has also been found to reduce the process of skin aging.
4. Treatment of Wounds
The acetic acid in red wine vinegar prevents the growth of bacteria, including Acinetobacter baumannii, which is a common cause of infections on burns. The P. aeruginosa is a major cause of infections in burn wounds, as well as soft tissue infections. These wounds can be treated with vinegar to prevent these infections.
5. Faster Weight Loss
Red wine vinegar is also useful in reducing fat storage in the body. Again, the acetic acid in the vinegar prevents increase in appetite and plays a role in burning body fat faster. The acetic acid keeps the food in your stomach longer to allow the release of ghrelin, which prevents food cravings.
According to the findings of a study, the intake of vinegar increased fat loss among obese people in merely 12 weeks. The belly fat also reduced within this duration. Individuals consuming a high amount of acetic acid also reported feeling full faster and longer.
6. Reduced Risk of Heart Diseases
Red wine vinegar has also been found to enhance your heart health. Both the resveratrol and acetic acid helps in preventing the clotting of blood and reduced the blood pressure, inflammation, and cholesterol levels.
Another study with 60 adult participants suffering from elevated blood pressure found that consuming red wine extract reduces the blood pressure significantly in comparison to grape extract. Polyphenol compounds, like resveratrol, can relax the blood vessels and increase the calcium amount in the cells. As a result, blood pressure decreases, and circulation is improved.
Acetic acid may offer similar benefits. In rodent research, the acid was found to reduce the blood pressure by enhancing the absorption of calcium and improving the hormones that control the blood pressure.
Both resveratrol and acetic acid reduce cholesterol and triglycerides levels, which otherwise can increase the risk of heart disease.
7. Enhanced Anti-Microbial Properties
Another significant benefit of consuming red wine vinegar is its anti-microbial properties. There are numerous food-borne pathogens that can increase your risk of severe health issues. These pathogens include:
- Staphylococcus
- Salmonella
- Listeria
- E-coli
- Clostridium botulinum
Studies have shown that the acetic acid present in red wine vinegar can effectively prevent bacterial infections and eliminate harmful bacteria. Moreover, evidence has also been found that the acid can kill highly drug-resistant infections.
8. Increased Absorption of Nutrients
Red wine vinegar also helps in enhancing the absorption of numerous essential minerals, including magnesium and calcium. Including a meal containing a tiny amount of this vinegar can drastically increase the absorption of these nutrients in your body.
These are some of the many health benefits you can enjoy by adding red wine vinegar to your diet every day.
How is Red Wine Vinegar Made?
All types of vinegar are created through the process of fermentation of a carbohydrate source in alcohol. The alcohol is then converted into acetic acid by acetobacter bacteria, which also provides the vinegar with its strong aroma.
Red wine vinegar is created after the fermentation of red wine. It is then strained and bottled up. Often, it is left to age before it is bottled to decrease the intensity of its flavor.
Firstly, the red wine is fermented until it becomes acidic and sour. The mass-produced vinegar gets bottled during the early stage. However, this type of vinegar is has a lower quality. It has a sour and sharp aftertaste.
Therefore, it is essential to allow the vinegar to age first for a better taste. It results in a flavorful and thicker taste of the red wine vinegar.
Ways to Include Red Wine Vinegar in Your Diet
While red wine vinegar is commonly used as salad dressings, including potato salad, pasta salad, and green salad, there are plenty more ways of incorporating this vinegar into your diet. Here are some useful tips:
- Use the vinegar to marinate meat to add a tangy flavor to the meal
- Drizzle a small amount on top of chili or soup to get a bold flavor
- Enhance the flavors of marinated vegetables like shallots and mushrooms with a dash of this vinegar
- Add a little vinegar on top of scallops or shrimp during the grilling process
- Stir in a small amount in the gravy for potatoes and meat
- Pour it in caramelized onions or sautéed mushrooms to brighten up an otherwise savory and earthy taste
To give you more ideas, here are three recipes you can prepare with red wine vinegar:
- Vinegar-Braised Chicken – pour in ¼ cup of red wine vinegar in three cups of broth or water to make a delicious braised chicken
- Roasted Vegetables – once you are done roasting the root vegetables, like beets, carrots, and sweet potatoes, drizzle them with red wine vinegar
- Salad Dressing – create an Italian dressing with your choice of herbs mixed with red wine vinegar. Toss in roasted zucchini, feta cheese, and kalamata olives to really spruce it up
Red wine vinegar is a fantastic healthy addition to your diet. Merely a small amount can provide significant health benefits. However, this vinegar is not a miracle worker and is not going to give your positive results immediately.
Moreover, make sure to consume it in smaller amounts as higher consumption may lead to adverse health effects. These might include heartburn, indigestion, and nausea. It might also damage your tooth enamel, so ensure you thoroughly rinse your mouth after having vinegar-containing beverages or food.
Make sure to take red wine vinegar in moderation to enjoy these health benefits, and consult a health professional immediately in case of any health issues.