Vinegar is the Best of Food

'Â'ishah narrated that the Prophet said, "Vinegar is the best of dip (or the best of food). "I Imam at-Tirmidhî reported this hadîth on the authority of Jâbir daha who used to say, "I have loved vinegar since I heard this saying from the Prophet ." Talhah is also said, "I have loved vinegar since I heard it from Jâbir ." Umm Sa'd it also narrated that the Messenger of Allâh came into 'Â'ishah's house while I was there and said,
"Do you have anything for lunch?" 'Â'ishah said, "Yes, we have bread, dates and vinegar." The Messenger of Allâh said, "Vinegar is the best of dip. O Allah! Make the vinegar blessed (food) for us, as it was the dip of all the Prophets before me.
' Reported by Muslim, "Book of Drinks," hadîth no. 5350-5355. It was also reported by at-Tirmidhî, and Ibn Mâjah.

Explanation of the Hadîth

Scientific studies proved that vinegar is a very good antibiotic, which prevents tooth decay, acts as a disinfectant for the digestive system, stimulates digestion and metabolism and aids in losing weight in cases of excessive overweight. It is also known for its ability in treating asthma and rhinitis, cases of severe diarrhea as it contains some astringent components and also in treating arthritis. Moreover, it has a pain relieving effect in cases of bees and jellyfish stings.
One may be surprised when he reads that the Prophet called vinegar, "dip" (in Arabic 'Idâm'). The word 'Idâm' in Arabic refers to what is used as food in itself, as a sauce to enrich food or bread, or may also be used as a condiment. Experimental science came to prove that vinegar is a diluted form of acetic acid (containing only 4-5% acetic acid).
Acetic acid is one of the simple fatty acids composing oils and fats, which form an essential constituent of our food, for being a major source of energy. Nevertheless, excessive consumption of fats may be harmful for health, and therefore the presence of acetic acid in vinegar in a concentration varying between 4-5%, implies that it is a useful ingredient for man's health.
Acetic acid provides the body with the minimum amount of vegetable fat, needed by the body, without exposing it to high ' Reported by Ibn Mâjah, "Book of Food," hadîth no. 3318. In another version by Imam at-Tirmidhî, The Prophet * said, "A house in which there is vinegar is never devoid of dip.", "Book of Food," hadîth no. 1765.
concentration of animal fats, the accumulation of which in the human body leads to several diseases. Consuming fats in moderate amounts is essential for man's body as they have a high-enormu notential in addition to 11. ... ability to build body cells, by Allâh's Will. They also have a role in carrying fat-soluble vitamins to all body organs, besides giving a good taste to food in general.
Vinegar is an astringent liquid produced through the oxidation of alcohols during the fermentation process of grains such as barley, fruits such as apples and grapes, and the fermentation of molasses produced from the juices of these fruits.
Barley vinegar is brown in color, but through its distillation, white vinegar is produced. Vinegar is used in pickling and as a special condiment for food in general.
By describing the vinegar as being a 'dip' or 'food' and the 'best of food', the Prophet introduced a scientific sign, as nobody at his time could have realized all these nourishing values of vinegar. The Almighty is Most Truthful when He says,
(Your companion (Muhammad) neither has gone astray nor has erred. Nor does he speak of (his own) desire. It is only an Inspiration that is inspired. He has been taught (this Qur'ân) by one mighty in power, Jibril (Gabriel)}. (An-Najm: 2-5)