Does vinegar soften bones?

Vinegar is an essential condiment in every household. Many people add a little when eating dumplings or noodles, which enhances the flavor and makes them delicious. In addition to this, everyone knows that vinegar also has the effect of softening blood vessels, so the elderly, especially those with hypertension, should eat more of it. When we get something stuck in our throat while eating fish, we can also drink more vinegar, which has the wonderful effect of softening bones. This article introduces the benefits of vinegar, let’s take a look.

1. Does vinegar soften bones?

1. Vinegar

Almost any grain alcohol liquid or fruit liquid that can be fermented by natural ethanol-oxidizing acetic acid bacteria can be used to produce vinegar. Although most vinegars contain only 4-8% alcohol, higher concentrations can be used for pickling and other purposes. Naturally occurring vinegar also contains citric and tartaric acid. Vinegar is widely used in cooking, such as seasoning vegetables, pickling vegetables, making salads, and as a condiment. Because of its acidic properties, vinegar is also often used to tenderize meat and fish.

2. Bones

Bones are lightweight but strong. The two main substances that make up bones are calcium carbonate, which provides strength, and collagen, which promotes softness and flexibility. It’s important to have the right ratio of these two substances, as too much calcium can lead to excessive bone density, while too little can lead to damaged collagen. These problems can make bones weak and easily break.

3. Vinegar and bones

Due to the different chemical composition, when the bones are soaked in vinegar, they become elastic. The acetic acid in the vinegar will dissolve the calcium carbonate in the bones. It is for this reason that when making bone broth, a small amount of vinegar can be used to extract the meat that is attached to the bones. The more meat and marrow you extract from the bones, the tastier the soup will be. Vinegar is also often added when cooking shellfish such as lobster or crab. The vinegar softens the shellfish's bones and makes them more flexible, making them easier to cut. Additionally, adding a small amount of vinegar when making seafood soup can extract more meat from the shells, making the soup more flavorful.

2. How to soften chicken ribs with vinegar

Pour some vinegar into a glass bottle, and then put the chicken ribs into the vinegar; let the vinegar completely cover the bones and soak for two days; after two days, take the bones out of the vinegar, and then tap the soaked bones with a spoon; at this time, you will find that the chicken bones have become very soft, not only can they be easily bent, but they can even be knotted.