There are abundant organic acids in vinegar, which not only give vinegar a rich, mellow, soft, and delicious taste, but also make it a natural "killer" of various bacteria. Consuming vinegar can help with digestion and absorption, as well as inhibit bacteria, keeping people energized. Although there are many benefits to consuming vinegar, many people still wonder whether it is good to consume vinegar on an empty stomach in the morning.
Nutritional Value of Vinegar
The main component of vinegar is acetic acid, typically with a concentration of 1% to 5%. Aged vinegar can have a concentration of up to 20%. The sour taste of vinegar comes from acetic acid. Vinegar is not only a condiment, but also a good acid gastric tonic. It can help increase appetite, promote digestion, and is beneficial for people with low stomach acid by consuming vinegar-soaked or pickled foods. Moreover, vinegar also contains vitamins B1, B2, and niacin. Adding vinegar while cooking can help dissolve calcium, phosphorus, iron, and other components, allowing the body to fully absorb and utilize them. Additionally, adding vinegar when cooking fish can help remove the fishy smell, and adding vinegar when stir-frying chili peppers can reduce the loss of vitamin C.
Four Benefits of Consuming Vinegar
Vinegar Stimulates Digestion
Vinegar contains 18 types of amino acids, glucose, fructose, maltose, and abundant calcium, phosphorus, iron, and other elements that play a role in regulating appetite. It can stimulate gastric acid secretion, promote digestion, and be helpful for people with low gastric acid secretion or diminished sense of taste.
Vinegar Reduces Sodium Intake
When cooking, using less salt and more vinegar is a healthy dietary habit. Enhancing the taste of food with vinegar is much healthier than using salt. Consuming too much salt not only harms health but also makes one's taste buds increasingly sensitive to saltiness. By adding more vinegar to dishes and reducing the amount of salt, the dishes will not only maintain a sufficient level of saltiness but also become more delicious and healthier.
Vinegar Inhibits Bacteria
The acetic acid in vinegar can inhibit the growth and reproduction of various pathogenic bacteria to some extent. Therefore, during the outbreak of bacterial and viral infections, adding an appropriate amount of vinegar when stir-frying can not only stimulate appetite but also inhibit the proliferation of bacteria, helping prevent diseases.
Vinegar Removes Fishy Smell and Greasiness
Vinegar is a good ingredient for removing fishy smell and greasiness. When cooking seafood or organ meats such as heart and lungs, adding vinegar can effectively eliminate the fishy odor and grease. Soaking certain ingredients with a strong fishy smell in vinegar beforehand can not only remove the odor but also eliminate some surface-adhered fats.
Is It Good to Consume Vinegar on an Empty Stomach in the Morning?
It is not advisable to consume vinegar on an empty stomach in the morning as it can easily cause stomach damage and acidosis. Acidosis refers to excessive acidity in the body. Consuming vinegar on an empty stomach can also lead to excessive gastric acid production, increasing irritation to the gastric mucosa and causing chronic gastritis or gastric ulcers. Furthermore, consuming vinegar on an empty stomach not only does not have a weight loss effect but also increases gastric acid production, accelerating digestion, enhancing hunger, and increasing appetite. Long-term consumption of vinegar while strongly controlling diet can also lead to malnutrition.
Misconceptions when Consuming Vinegar
Vinegar is Not a Cure-All
Although vinegar has benefits for the body, the method and amount of consumption should be moderate. It is not necessary to consume excessive amounts of vinegar. Simply adding a little vinegar when eating noodles or cooking dishes is sufficient. There is no need to deliberately consume vinegar as a supplement, and consuming vinegar on an empty stomach should be avoided to prevent health damage.
Vinegar Does Not Aid in Weight Loss
Drinking vinegar alone will not lead to weight loss. Some folk remedies suggest pickling black beans or soybeans in vinegar and consuming them to achieve weight loss by increasing metabolism and preventing fat accumulation. However, there is no evidence to support these claims. Long-term consumption of such foods can lead to imbalanced nutrition and even damage gastrointestinal health. Some people claim that drinking fruit vinegar can aid in weight loss, but in reality, drinking fruit vinegar not only does not help with weight loss but may also increase calorie intake due to the added sugar content, potentially leading to obesity.
