Red wine vinegar is made when red wine is further fermented. The resulting concoction is strained and then bottled. More often than not, the vinegar is aged before it’s bottled to reduce the intensity of the flavor. Vinegar like red wine vinegar is made by fermenting a carbohydrate into alcohol. This is then converted by bacteria into acetic acid, which is what gives vinegar its strong aroma.

Red wine vinegar is very versatile. Not only is it full of healthy compounds, it also has a lot of health benefits and many other uses in the household. Here are six benefits to using red wine vinegar.

Red wine vinegar contains powerful antioxidants

The primary ingredient of red wine vinegar is the red wine. Red wine has many powerful polyphenol antioxidants such as resveratrol, which can provide the body with a variety of health benefits. Red wine also contains antioxidant pigments known as anthocyanins.

Red wine’s antioxidants protect your cells against free radical damage. Free radical damage increases the risk of chronic illnesses like diabetes, heart disease and cancer.

Red wine vinegar controls your blood sugar levels

Acetic acid is a main compound in vinegar. Many of red wine vinegar’s health benefits come from acetic acid, such as its ability to lower blood sugar levels. Studies have even found that consuming vinegar can increase insulin sensitivity. When added onto foods, vinegar can even reduce their glycemic index.

Red wine vinegar improves your heart health

The acetic acid, resveratrol and other polyphenols in red wine vinegar help prevent the formation of blood clots. Furthermore, it lowers your cholesterol, blood pressure, triglycerides and inflammation. All of these factors make consuming red wine vinegar valuable if you want to lower your risk of developing heart disease.

Red wine vinegar aids in weight loss

The acetic acid in red wine vinegar is a threat to fats. It can increase your body’s rate of fat burning, limit the amount of fat your body stores and reduce your appetite. It reduces your appetite by keeping food in your stomach for longer, delaying the release of ghrelin, or the hunger hormone.

Red wine vinegar protects your skin

The antioxidants in red wine vinegar can protect your skin against skin damage, such as from bacterial infections. A test tube study of acetic acid even saw that it can prevent the growth of many common causes of skin infections. Furthermore, if you’ve recently experienced a burn, the acetic acid and antioxidants in red wine can protect your vulnerable skin from bacterial infections.

Red wine vinegar has a variety of other applications

Red wine vinegar is normally used for cooking, but it also has a variety of other uses. Not only is red wine vinegar a great ingredient in salad dressings, it can also be paired with heart healthy foods like beef, pork and some vegetables.

Red wine vinegar isn’t limited to the kitchen. If red wine vinegar is diluted with water in a 1:2 ratio, it can be used as a facial toner. Additionally, adding two or three tablespoons of red wine vinegar in your lavender essential oil-infused Epsom salt bath will soothe your skin.

Red wine vinegar, like all other vinegars, needs to be taken in moderation. Even over-consuming this nutrient-rich solution may be harmful to your health. However, if you simply add several spoonfuls of red wine vinegar in your meals, you can be on your way to better health in no time.

Sources include:

EcoWatch.com

Healthline.com