An elder from my circle of family friends shared with me that she has been drinking black vinegar for weight loss and health benefits. She said that a Chinese woman shared with her many years ago that the Chinese and Japanese drink a tablespoon of it after every meal as a part of their daily habit, because black vinegar is believed to have many health benefits and it keeps them trim. As with anything, before you try this, you may want to consult with your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking medication due to interactions.
I find this to drinking Apple Cider Vinegar and the benefits. From what I understand, people have been drinking ACV since the early 1900's and only became mainstream since the early 1990's. With Black Vinegar, the Asians have been drinking this for benefits for far longer. So whichever you choose if you do choose - do your research, know what you are ingesting, drink a lot of water while you are on either regimen to assist your body with flushing out toxins, and truly understand the reasons why you are even doing it in the first place. And yes, I tried it and I found it best when mixed with a teaspoon or less of honey only. I was on a full stomach so it didn't upset my stomach at all. :)
WHAT IS IT: Black Vinegar called specifically Mature Vinegar is made by fermenting unpolished rice, wheat chaff, sorghum, millet peas and bran or in some combination of those. The vinegar ferments for 1 to 3 years and it is during the fermentation process that the color of black vinegar darkens, its aroma and flavor get more intense and the content of amino acids, vitamins, minerals and other essential nutrients increases. It has a stronger smoky flavor than rice-based black vinegar. It is popular in the north of China as a dipping sauce, particularly for dumplings. Because black vinegar is believed to have many health benefits, many people in China and Japan make a drink out of it that they consume as a part of their daily diet.
WHAT DOES IT TASTE LIKE: It's rich, black color is like soya sauce, but its taste is more like balsamic vinegar. It has a very strong, yet pleasant smoky flavor. There is a lighter form of Black Vinegar, made from rice only, but it is too glycemic and high in sodium.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS:
1. Lowers Cholesterol - The acetic acid in black vinegar may help in the lowering of sugar or glucose levels in your blood. This is why this vinegar can have a preventative effect on a variety of cardiovascular diseases including stroke, high blood pressure and artery disease.
2. Provides Energy - Black vinegar is rich in citric acid, which plays an important role in the metabolic processes that aid in the conversion of food into energy. Many systems, including your immune and digestive systems, benefit from the energy increase.
3. Prevents Cancer - The high levels of antioxidants found in black vinegar may help in the prevention of some types of cancer. Experts say that these antioxidants may have the potential to prevent or even heal the damage caused by the free radical activity. The damage caused to the body by free radicals contributes to cancer development. Experts also say that black vinegar may also have the ability to prevent the development of tumours.
4. Prevents Fatigue - According to experts, the amino acids and other nutrients that are present in black vinegar help in fighting the effects of the build-up of lactic acid in the blood. This build-up can cause fatigue, and you can prevent this by making black vinegar a part of your daily diet. This way, you can also keep irritability away.
5. Prevents Sore Muscles - Due to lactic acid build-up in the blood, you can suffer from sore muscles. To make sure that you keep this painful problem away, you should increase your intake of the delicious black vinegar.
6. Detoxifies The Body - Black vinegar is rich in a number of essential nutrients. Some of these nutrients help in the detoxification of the body. This rich vinegar also keeps the pH levels in your body well-balanced.
7. Improves Digestion - According to health experts, black vinegar helps in keeping the digestive system healthy. It aids in the improvement of digestion. When digestion is improved, you keep constipation and other abdominal problems away.
8. Prevents Plaque Build-Up - The amino acids present in black vinegar are known to significantly improve cardiovascular health. This vinegar can hinder the formation of harmful substances in the body, and hence prevents plaque from building up on the walls of blood vessels.
9. Improves Circulation - Black vinegar is rich and warm. It is this warming nature that is said to help in proper blood flow. It also plays a role in ensuring that blood circulation takes place normally in your body.
10. Relieves Pain And Disinfects - Black vinegar is often used topically as it can disinfect wounds, insect bites, etc. It is also used to heal fractures and provides relief from pain caused by sprains. Black vinegar is also used as a natural remedy for athlete’s foot.
11. Weight Loss - Aged mature black vinegar is richer in texture and contains enzymes; nutrients and fermented ingredients that help you get off the pounds.The real power of vinegar is lies in its active ingredients. The secret of an effect is the amino acid and citrate which are mostly contained in black vinegar! It is a nutrient indispensable to fat combustion, which help you burn fat more efficiently.
HOW TO TAKE IT:
Important - Do not ingest more than six tablespoons per day AND that you drink lots of water to assist your body in flushing out the toxins.
Option 1 - one teaspoon or tablespoon 3x a day - whichever you can prefer. It is also best for you to avoid taking it with meals as in some individuals that could promote stomach upset. In addition, taking the black vinegar on an empty stomach may help you digest your food better. Drink mixture three times a day, with or without meals. If it is too strong tasting to take on its own, you can try these concoctions:
With Orange Juice: Fill a small or short tumbler with ice with four ounces of orange juice, lemon juice or lime juice. If you are diabetic, you can also add a bit of spring water, to dilute the strength of the natural sugars in the juice.
With Honey: Add one tablespoon of Black Vinegar and one tablespoon of raw, organic honey to the juice and muddle it all together with a spoon. Jiggle the ice with the ingredients until everything is well mixed together.
Option 2 - add to your daily diet
1. Use it as a dipping sauce for vegetables all on its own.
2. Use it as a seasoning or condiment on rice, rice and beans or over Asian dishes. Black vinegar can be a low-sodium alternative to soy sauce.
3. Using it as a dressing on salads. The taste of black vinegar is very similar to balsamic vinegar. It can just be drizzled on greens and raw vegetables and used as a seasoning in the same way that you would use balsamic vinegar.
4. It also suits salads that contain roasted or cooked vegetables such as parsnips, beets or sweet potatoes.
5. Black vinegar can be added to soups to give them a sweet and salty kick. This type of vinegar is also excellent for waking up the flavor of vegetables and meat in a soup that tastes a bit bland. It goes particularly well in onion soups.
6. Add to your smoothie.
7. Drizzle black vinegar over sliced fresh strawberries. This naturally enhances the flavor of the strawberries.
With Orange Juice: Fill a small or short tumbler with ice with four ounces of orange juice, lemon juice or lime juice. If you are diabetic, you can also add a bit of spring water, to dilute the strength of the natural sugars in the juice.
With Honey: Add one tablespoon of Black Vinegar and one tablespoon of raw, organic honey to the juice and muddle it all together with a spoon. Jiggle the ice with the ingredients until everything is well mixed together.
Option 2 - add to your daily diet
1. Use it as a dipping sauce for vegetables all on its own.
2. Use it as a seasoning or condiment on rice, rice and beans or over Asian dishes. Black vinegar can be a low-sodium alternative to soy sauce.
3. Using it as a dressing on salads. The taste of black vinegar is very similar to balsamic vinegar. It can just be drizzled on greens and raw vegetables and used as a seasoning in the same way that you would use balsamic vinegar.
4. It also suits salads that contain roasted or cooked vegetables such as parsnips, beets or sweet potatoes.
5. Black vinegar can be added to soups to give them a sweet and salty kick. This type of vinegar is also excellent for waking up the flavor of vegetables and meat in a soup that tastes a bit bland. It goes particularly well in onion soups.
6. Add to your smoothie.
7. Drizzle black vinegar over sliced fresh strawberries. This naturally enhances the flavor of the strawberries.
WARNINGS
1. Consult with your doctor before taking black vinegar, as it is not suitable for some people, especially those who have weak stomach acid
2. If you want to be gluten-free, then avoid Black Vinegar as it is made from grains and legumes that contain gluten
3. Keep in mind that this diet works best if you are living a sensible lifestyle that includes exercise and eating a healthy diet
4. Try not to consume more than six tablespoons of black vinegar a day to avoid effects such as stomach upset, cramps and gas
5. A tablespoon of black vinegar can be added to a cup of epsom salts and mixed well, and then rubbed on areas of the body that need smoothing due to cellulite deposits beneath the skin
6. Drink a great deal of water while you are on this regimen of taking black vinegar every day to assist your body with flushing out fat and toxins.
1. Consult with your doctor before taking black vinegar, as it is not suitable for some people, especially those who have weak stomach acid
2. If you want to be gluten-free, then avoid Black Vinegar as it is made from grains and legumes that contain gluten
3. Keep in mind that this diet works best if you are living a sensible lifestyle that includes exercise and eating a healthy diet
4. Try not to consume more than six tablespoons of black vinegar a day to avoid effects such as stomach upset, cramps and gas
5. A tablespoon of black vinegar can be added to a cup of epsom salts and mixed well, and then rubbed on areas of the body that need smoothing due to cellulite deposits beneath the skin
6. Drink a great deal of water while you are on this regimen of taking black vinegar every day to assist your body with flushing out fat and toxins.
WHICH ONE TO BUY FOR WEIGHT LOSS: I did a lot of Googling regarding Black Vinegar. This excerpt is from Visihow.com: The best way to tell the difference between mature black vinegar and other types is to look on the label at the ingredients. The labels on many black vinegar bottles will also tell you where it is made. The black vinegar that is effective for weight loss is made in the Shanxi Province. If the vinegar is made in the city of Zheniang or called Chinkiang vinegar, it may not be effective for weight loss. The light black vinegar known as Kurozu is also not as effective for weight loss as Mature Vinegar made in the Shanxi Province.
UPDATE: I experienced no benefits while trying this but I will have to say that I only did this for a short period of time.
Information above was borrowed from the links below:
http://visihow.com/Lose_Weight_with_Black_Vinegar
http://www.stylecraze.com/articles/health-benefits-of-black-vinegar/#gref
Information above was borrowed from the links below:
http://visihow.com/Lose_Weight_with_Black_Vinegar
http://www.stylecraze.com/articles/health-benefits-of-black-vinegar/#gref