Vinegar is an essential condiment in the home. However, some middle-aged and elderly people believe that vinegar is the secret to health. In their opinion, as age increases, blood vessels will gradually harden, and "vinegar can soften blood vessels." Does vinegar really have this effect? Experts say there is no scientific evidence that drinking vinegar can soften blood vessels. In order to keep blood vessels healthy, we need to eat properly, stop smoking and drinking, and exercise regularly.

It is understood that the popular saying that "vinegar can soften blood vessels" is because some people claim that with age, blood vessels will become hard and need to be softened. As we age, blood vessels may indeed harden and form "atherosclerotic plaques." "When this kind of plaque forms, the blood vessel walls will become thick and hard, the diameter of the blood vessels will become smaller, and they may even become blocked. Generally speaking, the most common result of atherosclerosis is stroke, caused by narrowing of the artery or occlusion of the lower limbs It can cause limb ischemia (or even necrosis), which is very harmful to health."

It is said that vinegar is an acidic food and can dissolve calcium in blood vessels, thereby preventing vascular calcification, atherosclerosis, and various diseases. cardiovascular disease.

This idea is obviously wrong. First, suppose a person drinks enough vinegar. After vinegar is absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract, it undergoes a series of changes and becomes diluted. The amount of vinegar remaining in the blood is very small. Even if vinegar enters the bloodstream, the body will adjust the pH. This is the "buffering mechanism" of the human body's fluid system. Drinking vinegar will not change the internal environment.

Secondly, atherosclerosis is a very common phenomenon. After the age of 40, about 60% of people will have plaques. The main component of these plaques is not calcium but is related to fat. Once the soft plaque breaks off and causes bleeding and thrombosis, the blood vessels will become blocked, resulting in myocardial infarction and cerebral infarction. Therefore, even if vinegar enters the blood vessels, it will not melt these plaques. It is unrealistic to hope that there will be no plaque in the blood vessels. What's really important is stabilizing the soft spots and blending spots in the blood vessels so they don't fall off easily.