Vinegar increases the acidity in the stomach, which allows it to digest the food you’ve eaten and increases your rate of digestion. A slow digestive system actually causes acid reflux, which triggers the feeling of fullness and bloating. So, consuming vinegar stops you from swelling up.

When your stomach isn’t producing enough acid, this impairs the absorption of nutrients as well as B6, folate, calcium, and iron. To help your body ingest a bit more, try taking acid in the form of vinegar, and you’ll actually be able to use all the good stuff you consumed.

The acetic acid found in vinegar interferes with the enzymes in your stomach responsible for digesting starch so you can’t absorb the calories from carbs you’ve eaten. In theory, this means that vinegar should help with weight loss.

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Consuming vinegar before a meal can help by slowing the rush of sugar to your blood stream, so your blood sugar spike resembles a hill instead of a mountain and you don’t crash quite as hard.

In a small study, researchers found that people who consumed vinegar before eating a breakfast of white bread felt more satisfied 90 minutes after eating compared to people who only ate the bread.

Endurance athletes sometimes drink diluted vinegar before they carb-load the night before competing because acetic acid can helps the muscles turn carbs into energy to fuel intense exercise.

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Some studies suggest that drinking vinegar can lower your blood pressure by a few points. Researchers don’t understand exactly how this works but certain doctors are pretty confident that it can make at least a modest difference.

You might have heard that the antibacterial properties of vinegar can kill microorganisms responsible for bad breath — and in theory, this is true but some experts says it’s no more effective than any other antibacterial agents.

Do away with those powders and sprays! Just wipe down your feet with a paper towel dipped in diluted vinegar. The antibacterial properties of vinegar will kill nasties that make you feel stink.

(Read more: 5 Easy Hacks To Stop Shoes From Smelling Bad)

Although vinegar is acidic, it actually has a neutralising effect once it’s inside of you. Meaning: It makes your body’s pH more alkali and because people who eat more alkaline diets (more veggies and less meat) tend to have greater bone mineral density, vinegar could strengthen your bones.

(Text by bauersyndication.com.au)