Few people know about pomegranate vinegar. If until now you are convinced that nothing is more useful than apple cider vinegar, this article will convince you, or at least make you think.
CONTENT
1 What is it
2 Benefits of pomegranate vinegar
3 Potential harm and drug interactions
4 Pomegranate vinegar in cosmetology
5 Where can I buy
6 Application in cooking
What to cook with pomegranate vinegar?
Salad dressing with mustard
Salad dressing with garlic
7 How to make pomegranate vinegar at home
8 Storage subtleties
9 Expert sources
What it is
Pomegranate Vinegar (5-6%) is a ruby-colored liquid with fruity sweetness and high acidity. No added sugar. And what wonderful healing properties!
A quality product is made from organic direct-pressed pomegranate juice, and not from a concentrate by multi-stage fermentation (natural fermentation by acetic acid bacteria). The liquid is not pasteurized or filtered to preserve natural nutrients.
Calorie content: 33 kcal per 100 ml.
Benefits of pomegranate vinegar
Vinegar, made from pomegranate seeds, contains three times more antioxidants than green tea and has numerous health benefits:
For the gastrointestinal tract. The product is rich in acetic acid, which aids digestion. This acid increases the body's ability to absorb essential nutrients from food (vitamins and minerals).
Replenishes calcium deficiency. People suffering from lactose intolerance have to give up the consumption of dairy products, and with it, a fair dose of calcium in their diet. To restore the balance of this trace element in the body, you need to eat more spinach, broccoli and garlic. And do not forget about pomegranate vinegar, as it provides better absorption of calcium from food.
Fights cancer. As for the antitumor potential of pomegranate vinegar, animal experiments are already showing good results. In 2001, a group of Israeli scientists led by Dr. Ephraim Lansky published a report in which they showed the results of research: it turns out that pomegranate vinegar causes the self-destruction of breast cancer cells without affecting healthy cells.
Also:
- Helps the body fight diabetes, cancer and osteoporosis by improving the absorption of nutrients in the intestines.
- Reduces cholesterol levels, normalizes blood pressure (2001 studies by M. Aviram and L. Dornfeld). Like apricot kernels and pomegranate juice, pomegranate seed vinegar lowers the concentration of cholesterol in the blood and normalizes blood pressure. It reduces the risk of developing heart disease and the likelihood of stroke, improves blood flow, and reduces the stiffness of the arteries. The secret is the high levels of polyphenols compared to other fruit vinegar. And high concentrations of potassium. In addition, pomegranate vinegar contains three groups of antioxidants key to heart health: tannins, anthocyanins, and ellagic acid.
- Improves memory and fights mood swings. Pomegranate vinegar is rich in flavonoids, plant antioxidants that have a positive effect on brain cells and strengthen memory.
It combats depression and mood swings during menopause in women due to the content of estrone - a natural form of estrogen, which is also found in this vinegar.
- Reduces blood sugar levels in type II diabetes (up to 54%), and improves the functioning of beta cells in the pancreas.
- Saturates the body with iron and prevents the development of iron deficiency anemia.
Shows strong antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties, as it contains malic acid, which kills microbes. There are studies that even note a positive trend in HIV patients with regular intake of pomegranate vinegar.
How to drink pomegranate vinegar?
To experience the healing power of pomegranate vinegar, add it to salads or take it as a drink (1 tablespoon per glass of clean water at room temperature) on an empty stomach 30 minutes before meals. Can be combined with apple cider vinegar: take 1 tsp. each, and diluted in water.
In addition to pure drinking water, it is allowed to use mineral water (carbonated and still), as well as herbal tea.
How to use for weight loss?
Pomegranate vinegar is rich in antioxidants, flavonoids, polyphenols, and conjugated linolenic acid. Studies show that a drink diluted with water stimulates enzymes that break down body fat. At the biochemical level, it also affects the cells involved in glucose metabolism, which promotes natural weight loss without diets.
Drink water daily with 20-40 ml of pomegranate vinegar before, during or after any two meals. In parallel, diet is not required.
How long will the therapeutic effect of pomegranate appear?
According to numerous studies, the first noticeable improvements, especially in the treatment of hypertension, can be tracked after 5 days from the start of administration. But the maximum therapeutic effect will appear after 2-4 weeks.
Potential harm and drug interactions
The only side effect noted by experts is an allergic reaction with increased sensitivity to pomegranate extract. Symptoms are standard: runny nose, itching and skin rashes, in rare cases, swelling of the respiratory tract (requires immediate hospitalization).
Pomegranate vinegar may interact negatively with high blood pressure medications. This means that when taken at the same time, there is a high risk of a sharp drop in blood pressure and a deterioration in well-being. Therefore, the use of a drink for medicinal purposes is contraindicated for those who take the following drugs or their analogues: Captopril (Capoten), Enalapril (Vazotek), Lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), Ramipril (Altache).
Pomegranate vinegar in cosmetology
The product has bright cosmetic properties. In the beauty industry, pomegranate vinegar, when applied topically and ingested, benefits the skin, hair and nails, improves their condition, nourishes at the cellular level, protects against premature aging and the destructive attacks of free radicals.
Vinegar can be used neat as an organic, low-allergenic facial toner.
Is it good for the skin?
What is good for hair?
Where can I buy
Pomegranate vinegar is popular in Mediterranean countries, the Middle East and North Africa. Italy, Spain, Montenegro, Turkey, Iran, Israel, Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and Algeria are sunny countries where pomegranates grow. It's easier to find pomegranate vinegar there.
Balsamic pomegranate vinegar
If it is not possible to go hunting for pomegranates, elite chain stores will come to the help, as well as online health food stores: Amazon, iHerb.
The Koreans recognized the potential of the healthy food market in time, so they began to produce a whole series of fruit vinegar, including pomegranate, raspberry, blueberry, and even persimmon-based. These are the so-called Hongcho fruit concentrates (Korean - 홍초, English - Hongcho), prepared using a three-stage fermentation technology. According to the manufacturer, all the beneficial substances of fermented berries are preserved in such products, including B vitamins.
Application in cooking
Pomegranate vinegar in cooking offers a less acidic alternative to balsamic vinegar - with a sweeter and more fruity flavor.
When handling the pomegranate vinegar product, be aware that it can easily stain clothing, fingers, wallpaper, wood furniture, and porous countertops.
What to cook with pomegranate vinegar?
A recipe for almost any dish includes vinegar on the ingredient list. These can be sauces (mixed with olive oil, garlic, basil, lemon and mustard) for fish or poultry, salsa, dressings for fruit and berry salads and soups, vinaigrette, tofu, various marinades, jellies, cocktails, smoothies and even sangria.
In pomegranate vinegar, you can and should marinate meat and gherkins. It turns out very tasty. Gourmets will appreciate. In cocktails, this fermentation product goes well with apple or pineapple juice, ginger, turmeric, bee honey.
Salad dressing with mustard
Ingredients:
2 tbsp. pomegranate vinegar;
1 tbsp. liquid honey;
1 tbsp Dijon mustard;
1 tsp black pepper;
¾ cup extra virgin olive oil;
salt to taste.
Cooking method. Combine pomegranate vinegar, honey, mustard, salt and pepper. Then slowly add olive oil while stirring constantly, beat until smooth.
Salad dressing with garlic
Ingredients:
¼ cup pomegranate vinegar;
¼ cup olive oil;
a pinch of pepper to taste;
a pinch of dried garlic
Preparation Method: Whisk all ingredients together until smooth.
How to make pomegranate vinegar at home
Making pomegranate vinegar is not so easy, because the process of preparation and fermentation is delicate and sensitive. It is easy to spoil the product if you use a large number of grains (clear juice is needed for proper fermentation). And here is the recipe itself:
Recipe of pomegranate vinegar
Get 4 kg of ripe pomegranate fruit (this amount will make approximately 1 liter of homemade vinegar).
To squeeze the juice from a pomegranate quickly and safely, gently knead a whole pomegranate in its skin with your fingers. Then make a cross-shape cut near where the pomegranate was attached to the tree branch. Turn the pomegranate with the hole toward the bowl and squeeze the pomegranate juice from the cut, gently pressing with your fingers on the whole pomegranate peel.
The squeezed juice you pour into a clean glass jar and refrigerate for 2 days.
This is necessary so that the crushed seeds settle to the bottom - it will be easier to filter the valuable liquid.
After filtering, pour pure juice into a new glass container, cover the neck with clean gauze folded in several layers, secure with an elastic band.
Place the jar in a dark place for 30 days.
Then filter again and leave to ferment naturally for another 2 months.
Filter again and refrigerate.
The details of storage
Vinegar should be stored in a glass container in a cool place away from direct sunlight. If you keep a bottle of pomegranate vinegar on your kitchen shelf, it will quickly lose its wonderful properties.
You can freeze fruit vinegar in an ice cube container, and then take it out of the freezer as needed and add it to drinks, sauces, salad.
The shelf life of homemade pomegranate vinegar in the refrigerator is up to six months. But if you analyze industrial products, the label often indicates a shelf life of 12 to 24-36 months. This shelf life can only be achieved by adding preservatives. Consider this when choosing.