Vinegar Health Benefits, Properties, and Uses

Vinegar is a sour and acidic liquid that is formed from the fermentation of diluted alcohol substances ¹. As a typical household product, vinegar uses range from cooking and cleaning to preserving and even for medicinal purposes. Vinegar health benefits include vinegar uses as an antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, pain reliever, digestive aid, and more. Many vinegar types as well as vinegar and baking soda mixture, provide a variety of vinegar benefits. Different vinegar types can even help to prevent diseases and improve certain health conditions ².

Vinegar Uses and Health Benefits

Vinegar benefits are plenty, especially because there are so many types. Some of the most common household vinegar types include apple cider vinegar, red wine vinegar, the classic white vinegar, and dozens more ^3,5. Vinegar can be consumed in a number of ways including taken orally or applied topically in a diluted solution. Vinegar and baking soda mixtures can also be created for a health treatment solution. Vinegar contains several active ingredients including acetic acid, phenolic acids, aldehydes, and flavonoids. Because of these natural compounds, vinegar health benefits include the following ⁵:

• Anti-bacterial
• Anti-inflammatory
• Effective antiglycemic in controlling diabetes
• Alleviate stomachache
• Reduce fever

By adding vinegar to cooking, or taking it orally or applying it topically, or creating a vinegar and baking soda mixture, you can help treat a number of conditions. Some of the most common vinegar uses include vinegar for skin treatments and vinegar for hair follicle treatments. Here are some of the best vinegar uses for medicinal treatments:

• Fever - To reduce the level of fever, vinegar can be diluted in a hot bath. By soaking in warm water with a few tablespoons of vinegar it can help reduce the fever strength.
• Body Odor - For persistent body odor, apply apple cider vinegar as a diluted body spray. You can apply diluted solution directly to the body including the underarms.
• Acid Reflux - To prevent acid reflux, drink apple cider vinegar diluted in water a half hour before eating. You can also drink it after eating to help eliminate burning symptoms of acid reflux.
• Athlete’s Foot - Athlete’s foot is a fungal skin condition that occurs on the feet and in between toes. Soak your feet in one part water and one part vinegar or apple cider vinegar. The acetic acid compound in vinegar will help kill off bacteria. Soak as often as needed, up to three times daily.
• Folliculitis - When hair follicles become infected or inflamed it can be treated topically with vinegar. The acetic acid in vinegar can help to reduce the inflammation and reduce the infection.
• Ringworm - Ringworm fungal infections can be uncomfortable. But an oral or topical vinegar treatment to the infected areas can help reduce inflammation and treat the infection.

Vinegar Side Effects and Precautions

As with anything, over-consuming vinegar can cause side effects like ⁵:

• Injuring the esophagus
• Causing hypokalemia, hyporeninemia, and osteoporosis if taken too often over time

If you want to use vinegar for skin treatments, vinegar for hair follicle treatments or any other vinegar uses for health benefits, consult with your doctor first to prevent side effects and discuss precautions.

References

1. http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Vinegar
2. http://pitt.edu/~cjm6/s98vinegar.html
3. http://global.britannica.com/topic/vinegar
4. http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Vinegar
5. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinegar