Are you a lover of all things pickled? Pickled onions, peppers, gherkins, capers (or of course, nasturtium seeds)? Well you can easily justify your indulgence. You probably already know that apple cider vinegar has unique health benefits but it seems that even plain ol’ vinegar is also good for you.
A clinical study conducted on vinegar (acetic acid), found that adding vinegar to your meals reduces the increase in blood glucose and insulin after meals. It also increases the feeling of being full. The results, according to Ostman et al (2005), show there is an interesting potential for fermented and pickled products containing acetic acid to lower the glycaemic index (GI) of meals, helping to control glucose and insulin response and satiety. In other words, vinegar with meals helps to protect you against both diabetes and obesity.
Bring on the Ploughman’s Lunch next time you’re at the pub and be sure to eat your pickled onions. Be liberal with the vinaigrette on your salad. (And don’t scorn that gherkin in your Big Mac, children!)
Click for a recipe for pickled nasturtium seeds – home made capers for free!
Pickled Nasturtium Seeds
References
=======================================================================Ostman E, Granfeldt Y, Persson L and Björck I. (2005) Vinegar supplementation lowers glucose and insulin responses and increases satiety after a bread meal in healthy subjects. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition 59(9):983-8. PMID: 16015276