Red wine vinegar is a kind of vinegar that is made by fermenting the red wine, then straining and bottling it.
Once the alcohol starts turning into acetic acid with the help of Acetobacter bacteria, it loses much of its alcoholic content and gives the vinegar its signature strong aromas. [1]
Red wine is a versatile ingredient that you can use in different types of recipes, such as pork, beef, and even vegetables.
In addition to its versatility, red wine vinegar possesses numerous health benefits. Acetic acid and resveratrol, two of its major components that have so many beneficial effects on your health.
This article looks into some incredible health benefits of red wine vinegar, along with some downsides.
Health Benefits of Red Wine Vinegar
1. Red Wine Vinegar May Aid in Weight Loss.
Consuming red wine vinegar regularly may help you to lose weight, thanks to its acetic acid content.
Several studies have shown its ability to increase fat burning, reduce appetite and fat storage. [2, 3, 4, 5]
Acetic acid can keep food in your stomach for a longer time by delaying the release of ghrelin, a hunger hormone. This way, it can keep you away from overeating. [6]
In a research published in 2009, obese adults consumed a 17-ounce beverage with 0 ml, 15 ml, or 30 ml of vinegar every day for 12 weeks. The result showed a significant lower belly fat and reduced weight in the vinegar group. [7]
Another study found that consuming acetic acid with your breakfast can help you feel satiated than those who take low acetic vinegar. [8]
2. It May Reduce Blood Sugar Level.
The acetic acid in red wine vinegar can slow the digestion of carbs and increase the absorption of glucose in your body, making sure there is less glucose in your blood. [1, 9, 10, 11]
In fact, a study published in 2004 found that consuming 30 ml of vinegar before a carb-rich meal reduced blood sugar by 64% and increased insulin sensitivity by 34% in adults with insulin resistance. [12]
Using red wine vinegar in certain dishes can lower its glycemic index (GI), meaning that those foods will not raise your blood sugar level. [13]
According to a 2001 study, adding vinegar or pickle made of vinegar to rice can reduce its GI level by 20-35%. [14]
3. Red Wine Vinegar is Rich in Antioxidant.
Red wine, the key ingredient of this vinegar, is rich in potent antioxidants, such as resveratrol and anthocyanins. Anthocyanins are antioxidants pigments that give fruits and vegetables their deep blue, purple, and red colors. [15, 16]
Free radicals can cause cellular damage, which leads to chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and even cancer. The antioxidants can fight free radicals and protect your body from cellular damage. [17]
Although in a smaller amount, the antioxidants in red wine are also found in the vinegar. The anthocyanin content gets reduced by up to 91% during the fermentation process. [18]
4. It is Good for Your Skin.
The antioxidants in red wine vinegar that may treat bacterial infections and protect your skin from damage. [19]
Resveratrol, another type of antioxidant found in red wine vinegar may fight skin cancer. [20, 21]
In a test tube study, the antioxidant resveratrol effectively killed cancer cells and slowed the growth of new cancer cells. [22]
Besides, red wine vinegar contains acetic acid, which is known to fight skin infections. In fact, this acid has been shown to prevent the growth of Acinetobacter baumannii, a bacteria that cause infections in burn patients. [23, 24]
5. Red Wine Vinegar May Boost Your Heart Health.
The resveratrol and acetic acid content in red wine vinegar may prevent blood clots and reduce inflammation, cholesterol, and blood pressure. [25, 26]
Resveratrol can relax your blood vessels and increase calcium in your cells, thus improve the circulation and reduce blood pressure. [27, 28, 29, 30]
A 2006 study shows that acetic acid can reduce hypertension by increasing calcium absorption and altering the hormone that controls blood pressure. [28]
Both resveratrol and acetic acid may decrease cholesterol and triglycerides and reduce the risk of heart disease. [29, 30]
Downsides of Red Wine Vinegar
Although extremely nutritious, red wine vinegar may also have some side effects.
- Consuming too much of vinegar may worsen your digestive symptoms, such as heartburn, nausea, and indigestion.
- If you’re under medications for blood pressure and heart disease, drinking red wine vinegar may create a problem by reducing the potassium level. [31, 32]
- The acidic content in this vinegar may damage your tooth enamel. Make sure you rinse your mouth with water after consuming red wine vinegar. [33, 34]
Bottom Line
Red wine vinegar can be an excellent ingredient to your recipes, as it will make them delicious and nutritious.
It’s rich in antioxidants that may reduce your blood pressure, blood sugar, as well as cholesterol. It can be a great addition to your skincare regime as well.
However, be careful about how much you’re consuming as over consumption may cause some problems.
