11 Amazing Health Benefits And Uses Of Rice Vinegar

Rice vinegar is a popular condiment in Asian cuisine. Derived from rice by fermentation, it is used to flavor salads, soups, and meat dishes. Other than its subtle Asian flavor, there are a host of rice vinegar benefits as well! When compared to regular white vinegar, rice wine vinegar is mildly acidic and can easily blend in a number of recipes!

Rice vinegar is becoming more popular not only in Asian dishes but also in health-focused diets around the world. With its distinct flavor and numerous health benefits, it is a great addition to any kitchen.

But what is rice vinegar? What is rice vinegar used for? Can it be used in pickles? Don’t worry. We can help you with these answers and more. Read on to learn more about rice vinegar’s many benefits and how you can include it in your diet!

Know Your Ingredient: Rice Vinegar

What Is It?
Vinegar made in East and Southeast Asia via the fermentation of rice.

What Are Its Benefits?
It is used to improve digestive health, liver health, and immunity and beat fatigue.

Who Can Use It?
It can be used/consumed by anyone, especially people with acidity.

How Often?
It can be used daily and is used extensively in East Asian cuisines as a condiment.

Caution
When stored improperly, it can become toxic and cause food poisoning.

Rice Vinegar – A Brief:

Derived from either rice or rice wine, rice vinegar is used as a condiment in Asia and other continents extensively. Since its acidity quotient is lower than other types of vinegar, it is not suitable for preserving and pickling foods. However, it is used extensively as a condiment with salads and in cooking several meat-based dishes. Rice vinegar adds a subtle flavor to the dishes, but it also offers you a number of health benefits.

It is available in several varieties. Broadly speaking, there are two types of rice vinegar – unseasoned and seasoned. For maximum benefits, you need to use the unseasoned variant. There is a sweet rice wine named mirin that contains alcohol, but it is different from rice vinegar.

Trivia

Rice vinegar originated in China and became a staple in Japan in the 4th-5th centuries. It was mainly used to flavor dressings and sushi rice.

Benefits Of Rice Vinegar

Following are the top 11 rice vinegar benefits:

1. May Improve Digestive Health

There is a good amount of acetic acid in rice vinegar. This acid may aid in boosting your digestive health (1). It also helps your body absorb more nutrients from the foods you eat. Thus, your body would be able to absorb more calcium, potassium, and vitamins from foods, which are beneficial for health. You can use 1-2 tablespoons of rice vinegar in your salad dressings, meat marinades, or vegetable pickles to make the most of its benefits.

2. Has Antiseptic Properties

Brown rice vinegar is used widely in making antiseptic medicines. It can eliminate detrimental bacteria upon contact and hence is used in several native medications to treat myriad health conditions (2).

3. May Act As A Liver Tonic

One variant of Japanese rice vinegar named kurozu, made by fermenting brown rice, reportedly has protective benefits for the human liver (3). This has been corroborated by a 2011 study published in the coveted “Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition”. The researchers are of the view that it has the potential to thwart the onset of liver tumors.

4. May Help Beat Fatigue

Rice vinegar contains a moderate amount of amino acids. These may effectively fight the development of lactic acid in your blood. Lactic acid development results in stiffness, irritability, and fatigue. Hence, reducing lactic acid buildup keeps you fresh and energetic throughout the day. The bioactive compounds in vinegar also possess anti-fatigue properties (4).

Trivia

Rice vinegar (also called Komezu) became popular in Japan during the Edo period (1603-1867). However, it was considered a luxury, and commoners couldn’t afford it.

5. May Improve Immunity

One of the best benefits of rice vinegar is that it helps in boosting immunity (5). Rice vinegar contains essential amino acids. These help you in achieving optimum health. These amino acids help fight the damaging effects of free radicals or oxidative stress (6). They also help boost immunity.

6. May Improve Heart Health

Rice vinegar aids in preventing fatty peroxide formation in your body. This in turn helps slow down cholesterol build-up on the walls of blood vessels (7). So, in the long run, your heart benefits greatly by including a few teaspoons of this vinegar in your daily meals.

7. May Keep Weight In Check

If losing excess weight is a priority for you, consuming rice vinegar with food can be quite helpful. Animal studies have indicated it helps in losing excess flab to a great extent (8). In fact, Japanese people have used it for ages to aid weight loss. The vinegar made from brown rice is quite useful in this regard.

8. May Give You Radiant Skin

Not many people are aware of it, but using rice vinegar can be beneficial for your skin as well! You need to make a mixture of rice vinegar, purified water and tea tree oil in a bottle. Then shake the bottle to make the ingredients blend well. The ratio of water and rice vinegar will be 6:1. Apply the mixture on the acne-affected facial skin using a cotton ball. Let it dry and wash with water.

9. Natural Facial Toner

Anecdotal evidence suggests that rice vinegar can also be used as a natural and non-chemical substitute for facial toner

. Many women and men use OTC skin toners to prepare facial skin for the application of cream and moisturizers. However, using rice vinegar can serve the need and the skin does not get exposed to any chemical ingredient. A mix of distilled water, tea tree oil, and white rice vinegar can be used to tone your facial skin. You can keep this mixture stored in a bottle for use. You can either spray this as a mist on the skin or apply it with cotton balls.

10. May Control Blood Sugar Levels

According to a study conducted on diabetic rats, those treated with white rice vinegar showed weight loss to some extent, reduced blood glucose levels, improved insulin levels, and liver health (9). While more human studies are required in this regard, anecdotal evidence suggests rice vinegar may be a beneficial remedy for controlling diabetes.

11. May Prevent Colon Cancer

A study conducted on the efficacy of vinegar made from unpolished rice observed that it may help prevent colon cancer in rats. According to the study, vinegar from the rice significantly reduced the occurrence and incidence of colon cancer in male rats (9). However, more human studies are warranted in this regard.

Nutritional Information

Rice vinegar is a low-calorie condiment with minimal nutritional value (10).

It primarily consists of carbohydrates (53.3 g), primarily sugars, and contains negligible amounts of protein, fat, or fiber (10).

While it doesn’t provide significant amounts of vitamins or minerals, it does contain a small amount of sodium (4730 mg). The specific nutritional content can vary slightly depending on the brand and production method of the rice vinegar (10).

Culinary Uses Of Rice Vinegar

Rice vinegar elevates the flavor of countless dishes. Its subtle, tangy taste and delicate sweetness make it a popular choice in various cuisines.

One of the most common uses of rice vinegar is in sushi. It is often combined with sugar and salt to create the sushi rice’s characteristic flavor.

Rice vinegar can be used to make flavorful salad dressings and marinades.

Its bright acidity complements the richness of meats and seafood, while its subtle sweetness balances the flavors in a dish.

Infographic: Incredible Health Benefits Of Rice Vinegar

If you haven’t already included rice vinegar to your diet, you’re missing out on a calorie-free, flavorful ingredient that not only offers an improved taste to your meals, but also has a number of other health advantages. Yes, you read that right! Regular intake of this vinegar can benefit your overall health.

Take a look at the infographic below to learn about a few health advantages of consuming rice vinegar.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Is rice vinegar high in sugar?

Rice vinegar has moderate amounts of sugar. A 100 mL of rice vinegar has 53.3 grams of sugar.

Is rice vinegar good for high blood pressure?

Yes, rice vinegar is good for high blood pressure as the acetic acid in it is known to reduce systolic blood pressure.

Does rice vinegar have arsenic?

Yes, rice vinegar has arsenic. But the quantity is very negligible. 50 mL of rice vinegar contains only 1 microgram or less of arsenic.

Is rice vinegar a probiotic?

Although rice vinegar is made by fermentation, it is not a probiotic.

Does rice vinegar have sodium?

Yes, rice vinegar has negligible amounts of sodium. A tablespoon of rice vinegar has 0.3 mg of sodium.

Is it OK to drink rice vinegar?

No, drinking undiluted rice vinegar straight may cause dental damage. Always have rice vinegar as a condiment or ingredient in other food items.

Illustration: Amazing Health Benefits Of Rice Vinegar

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Learn about the amazing benefits of rice vinegar. Discover how it can help improve your health and well-being. Check the video to learn how!

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Avantii DeshpaandeMSc (Food Science & Nutrition)

 

Avantii Deshpaande is a nutritionist, author, speaker, and entrepreneur with over 20 years in the field. She is also a nutrigenomic counselor and a gut microbiome specialist. She worked in the food industry for 10 years and was a faculty member in various nutrition and food tech colleges.

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Tanya ChoudharyHealth & Wellness Writer

 

Tanya is an ISSA certified Specialist in Fitness & Nutrition. She specializes in writing articles on ingredients that benefit skin, hair, and health. She believes in the right health and lifestyle practices and strives to promote the same to everyone around her.

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Ravi Teja TadimallaCo-Editor-in-Chief

Ravi Teja Tadimalla is a Co-Editor-in-Chief and a published author. He has been in the digital media field for over a decade. He graduated from SRM University, Chennai, and has a Professional Certificate in Food, Nutrition & Research from Wageningen University.

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Moksha GandhiHealth & Wellness Writer

Moksha is a health and wellness writer and a certified diet and nutrition coach. Her passion for science and writing has helped her excel in crafting evidence-based articles. Her previous experience in writing science-based research papers ensures that her articles are grounded in research and provide practical tips that are reader-focused.

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