Coconut vinegar is a natural product produced from the sap of the fruit of the coconuts (Cocos nucifera). Its use dates back thousands of years when it was used as a food preservative and flavor enhancer. Today, coconut vinegar is widely available in health foods stores and supermarkets. It is often sold in large bottles with names like “Vinegar” or “Balsamic”. The main purpose of using coconut vinegar is to preserve food and beverages. It may also be added to other products such as salad dressings, soups, sauces, marinades and more. You can buy coconut vinegar at your local grocery store, health food stores and online.
Benefits of Using Coconut Vinegar:
1) It helps prevent spoilage due to bacteria growth.
2) It prevents bacterial growth in the production of alcohol, which is harmful to human body.
3) It improves taste and aroma of food and beverages.
How to Use Coconut Vinegar?
The first step is to prepare a container for storing the vinegar. All you need is a glass jar with a tightly closing lid. Next, sterilize the jar and the lid by heating them in water and allowing to air dry. For extra safety, you may also want to boil them for few minutes.
In a separate pan over medium heat, bring coconut milk (or any other kind of milk), honey, and apple cider vinegar to a slow boil. Stir constantly until all the solid matter is dissolved and the liquids have a uniform consistency.
Pour the liquid into the sterilized jar and seal it. Let it cool. It should last for several months at room temperature.
If refrigerated, it should last even longer.
Coconut vinegar can be used as a substitute for white or red wine in cooking recipes. It pairs especially well with fish, shellfish and vegetable dishes.
Other Uses for Coconut Vinegar:
Coconut vinegar can be used as a mouthwash or for general washing in place of chemical-laden soaps. You can also drink it diluted in water instead of ordinary vinegar. It has a slightly sweet taste, almost like diluted apple cider vinegar.
Coconut Vinegar and Health:
1) Coconut Vinegar – Acne and Pimples
Applying coconut vinegar to the affected area can help reduce swelling and redness resulting from pimples. The antibacterial nature of the acid helps to balance out the PH levels of the skin, preventing further breakouts. You may also want to try using it as a facial cleanser for clearer, healthier looking skin.
2) Coconut Vinegar – Arthritis Pain
Coconut vinegar contains anti-inflammatory agents such as caprylic acid. These properties make it an ideal pain reliever for sufferers of arthritis and similar joint pains.
3) Coconut Vinegar – High Cholesterol
Studies have shown that acetic acid found in small amounts in apple cider vinegar can help to lower cholesterol levels. It may also help the body to breakdown and process fats more efficiently.
4) Coconut Vinegar – Digestive Aid
The main reason why so many people use apple cider vinegar is because of its digestive benefits. It helps the stomach produce more acid and also helps digest food. It also reduces the affects of acid reflux and heartburn.
5) Coconut Vinegar – Sinus Infections
Apple cider vinegar opens up the passages leading to the sinuses, allowing you to breathe more freely. Another bonus is that it reduces the amount of mucus produced while fighting off infection.
6) Coconut Vinegar – Asthma
The pectin and fiber content in apple cider vinegar helps to relieve chest pain and tightness related to asthma. It also helps with digestion, which indirectly alleviates some of the pressure on the lungs.
Sources & references used in this article:
Antidiabetic and hypocholesrolemic effect of different types of vinegar in rats by SSA Soltan, M Shehata – Life Science Journal, 2012 – Citeseer
Coconut water vinegar ameliorates recovery of acetaminophen induced liver damage in mice by NE Mohamad, SK Yeap, BK Beh, H Ky, KL Lim… – … and alternative medicine, 2018 – Springer
Functional properties of vinegar by NH Budak, E Aykin, AC Seydim… – Journal of food …, 2014 – Wiley Online Library
Improving the Value of the Coconut with Biotechnology by FM Dayrit, Q Nguyen – Coconut Biotechnology: Towards the Sustainability …, 2020 – Springer
In vitro and in vivo antitumour effects of coconut water vinegar on 4T1 breast cancer cells by NE Mohamad, SK Yeap, N Abu, KL Lim… – Food & nutrition …, 2019 – ncbi.nlm.nih.gov