Ah, wellness. It makes us do some crazy things in the name of health and healing. Like drinking vinegar. If you’re not familiar with the trend, it’s actually not as scary as it sounds and boasts some impressive health benefits. Move over green juice and kombucha, it’s time to make room in your fridge for a new buzzy beverage on the scene. We put together a handy guide that tells you everything you need to know about the trendy new drink and offer some suggestions for the best drinking vinegars.
What is drinking vinegar?
Drinking vinegar is a more palatable approach to drinking straight-up vinegar — which doesn’t exactly go down easy and can burn more than a shot of whiskey. Healthy beverage brands are diluting and blending vinegar with ingredients like fruit juice, healing herbs like turmeric, ginger, and cayenne, and sweeteners like stevia extract and maple syrup. The resulting concoction? A tart health tonic that’s surprisingly sippable.
Health benefits
All this begs the question—why drink vinegar in the first place? Well, according to Dr. Edwin McDonald IV at the University of Chicago, apple cider vinegar does have some proven health benefits including blood sugar control, weight loss support, and digestion aid. With some brands enhancing their drinking vinegar with healing ingredients, you can tailor your drinking vinegar to suit your individual health needs. Try turmeric for inflammation, ginger for immunity, and probiotics for gut health.
While the internet would have you believe that drinking vinegar is a magical cure-all, that’s not entirely the scientific truth. The research is somewhat lacking and Dr. McDonald tells SheKnows more studies need to be done to truly understand the health benefits and side effects associated with apple cider vinegar.
Drinking vinegars to try
The drinking vinegar market is heating up and there are a ton of different brands out there to try. With delicious flavors like peach-ginger, hibiscus ancho chile, and strawberry basil, beverage companies are hoping to hook consumers into a healthy beverage habit that actually tastes good.
The OG of apple cider vinegar, Bragg, makes an apple cider vinegar drink in many flavors, most sweetened with stevia. Try their limeade, ginger spice or pomegranate goji berry for a sweet and not too puckery finish.
Ginger spice drinking vinegar, $2.96 at VitaCost
When it comes to digestive benefits, ginger is king! This drinking vinegar from BluePrint is made with maple syrup for just enough sweetness to keep you sipping on this vinegar tonic all morning long.
Ginger maple drinking vinegar, $24 (6-pack) at BluePrint
If you’re weaning off a green juice habit, this drinking vinegar from Suja is for you. Cold-pressed cucumber, celery and ginger juice is mixed with apple cider vinegar for a refreshing and palate-pleasing flavor.
Suja cucumber ginger, prices nary in grocery stores
This sparkling probiotic-infused drinking vinegar from Kevita has a spicy kick thanks to cardamom, black pepper, and ginger.
When should you drink them?
Anytime you feel like it. Some people love starting their morning with a vinegary beverage but they also work well with lunch, dinner or just as a late-afternoon pick-me-up.
Happy sipping!
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