A journalist friend called to say she had met a 98-year-old woman who is in excellent health. You could say she has sharp hearing and good eyesight—her vision is even better than the journalist's—and she can thread a needle with ease. Recently, for some unknown reason, black hair has started to grow among her white hair. The friend mentioned that the elderly woman loves vinegar very much and drinks a bag of it every three or four days. Could it be that the secret to her longevity is directly related to her love for vinegar?
Vinegar is a common seasoning used in cooking, and the history of vinegar consumption in our country can be traced back at least to the Western Zhou Dynasty. Jinyang (modern-day Taiyuan) is one of the birthplaces of vinegar in our country, and by the Spring and Autumn Period, there were already specialized vinegar shops. The "Qimin Yaoshu" from the Northern Wei Dynasty records a total of twenty-two methods for making vinegar. This shows that people have always loved "vinegar" since ancient times.
Vinegar has been so popular since ancient times because it is rich in various substances such as amino acids, acetic acid, lactic acid, glucose, fructose, maltose, potassium, calcium, sodium, iron, copper, and more. Additionally, vinegar contains elements like vitamins B1, B2, and B6, which can help with human digestion and absorption. Furthermore, vinegar can soften blood vessels and lower cholesterol, making it a good remedy for patients with hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases. Vinegar plays many important roles in life:
Adding a little vinegar when cooking dishes can make them more crisp and delicious, and it can also help protect the loss of some nutrients. When making bone soup, adding a little vinegar helps dissolve calcium from the bones and promotes its absorption.
Vinegar has a good protective effect on the skin and hair. Ancient Chinese medical records include using vinegar as medicine, believing it has the effects of promoting hair growth, enhancing beauty, lowering blood pressure, and aiding in weight loss.
Vinegar can eliminate fatigue, promote sleep, and alleviate discomfort symptoms such as motion sickness and seasickness.
Vinegar can also reduce the concentration of alcohol in the gastrointestinal tract and blood, helping to sober up.
Today, Shanxi also has special health vinegars for direct consumption, as well as fruit vinegars for beauty purposes.
However, people with stomach ulcers and excessive stomach acid should not consume too much vinegar, as it can worsen stomach conditions. Individuals taking certain medications, such as sulfonamides, alkaline drugs, antibiotics, and traditional Chinese medicines that induce sweating, should also avoid vinegar.
Vinegar not only regulates the body but also plays an important role in psychology. Many people feel "sour" and a bit "jealous" when encountering emotional problems. Of course, it's better to consume this kind of "vinegar" in moderation.
Of course, for the long-lived elderly woman, her love for vinegar is not the sole reason for her longevity. Her longevity is also related to many other aspects, such as her good living habits, diet, and mental state.