Rice Vinegar
It is made from distilled fermented white rice, slowly brewed over a period of about 30 days. ”Vinegar” is a word which is derived from the French ”vinaigre” meaning “sour wine.”
This type of vinegar originates in Japan and China, however, it is now popular in European, Hispanic, and American cuisines.
The bottom of the bottle of even the best RV will have a fine rice sediment. When these grounds are disturbed, they give the RV a muddy appearance. This dark residue is acknowledged to be the mark of a high-quality RV.
The Mitsukan and Marukan brands are excellent, and they are quite easy to find in Asian groceries and supermarkets.
Uses
It can be added to cold and hot recipes as well as it can enhance the flavor of basic vegetable dishes. Moreover, it was traditionally used as a method of preserving food.
Also, it is used in natural antiseptic medicine. For instance, it can be used to cure athlete’s foot, a fungal infection that affects the skin on the hands or feet. Also, it has the potential to kill harmful bacteria, like those found in food, on contact. Similar to all kinds of vinegar, it can be used as a natural cleaning agent. For this, you may mix equal parts of water and RV in a spray bottle to clean sinks and counters.
Health Benefits
It contains a moderate amount of amino acids. These actually fight the development of lactic acid in your blood. If too much acid accumulates in the human body, your healthcare specialist may diagnose you with a disorder called acidosis. Symptoms of this condition include nausea and weakness.
According to a 2014 study issued in the Journal of Food Science, the antioxidant content in RV may vary depending on the source. Some types are high in phenolic compounds, which help in protecting the body from a variety of conditions, including – osteoporosis, cancer, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and heart diseases.
Also, phenolic compounds protect the body from the adverse effects of ultraviolet radiation.
Constipation is mentally and physically troublesome for many people, and can considerably interfere with their daily well-being and living. RV helps to ease constipation since it activates the bowl secreting stomach acid a lot, which helps your bowl to flow well.
According to statistics, in 2017, there will be about 600,920 cancer deaths and 1,688,780 new cancer cases diagnosed in the United States. The antioxidant content of RV may make it effective against cancer because it has been found to inhibit the growth of a variety of cancer cells, such as – lung, colon, bladder, breast, and prostate.
As per a 2012 study issued in the journal ”Acta Diabetologica,” RV may improve liver function and blood sugar control in type 2 diabetics.
Some minerals are difficult to absorb by the human body, however, a 2016 study shows that consumption of RV boosts the absorption rates.
Rice Wine Vinegar
It is available in white, black, and red and could be amber or clear in color. All these varieties are produced from fermented rice wine, plus, some of them come with seasoning while other types of RWV do not.
Health Benefits
It helps reduce the values of LDL and total cholesterol and triglyceride levels. More importantly, people who consume RWV as a salad dressing are at a reduced risk of ischemic heart disease, according to a 2005 study conducted at the Department of Pharmacology, University of Yamanashi, Japan.
Moreover, a study involving 11 people with type 2 diabetes mellitus found that taking RWV before bed lowered blood sugar levels in the following day by about 5%.
Side Effects
It is recommended to drink any type of vinegar with a straw since it may help to prevent damage to the enamel of the teeth. Also, it is advisable to rinse the mouth soon after drinking it and drink vinegar only after diluting it with water.
Also, heartburn (acid reflux) may occur after drinking vinegar due to the fact that is acidic.
Do not consume any type of vinegar without consulting with your doctor if you have a medical condition that thins your blood or if you take blood thinner medicines, like – warfarin or heparin, according to the Columbia University Health Services.
The human body may excrete extra potassium because of the process needed to digest the vinegar. Signs and symptoms of potassium deficiency include – palpitations, constipation, bloating, vomiting, nausea, irregular heartbeat, cramping in the leg or arm muscles, numbness, or tiredness.
Note
Acidic liquids (such as vinegar) stored in plastic have the potential of leaching harmful chemicals into the liquid itself, therefore, it is always recommended to buy vinegar in a glass container.
Final Words – Rice Vinegar vs Rice Wine Vinegar
RW is a much milder, more mellow tasting than the RWV with which we are more used to in the US. However, both are quite similar and with almost the same health benefits.
Featured image credit – Shutterstock
READ THIS NEXT: Athlete’s Foot On Hands
References https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960308509000200 https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-1-4899-3754-4_22