Made from grapes, balsamic vinegar is known for its rich flavor and velvety black color. It’s fermented in wooden barrels, much like wine, and the taste of balsamic vinegar intensifies the longer it is aged. The thicker and more intense the flavor becomes, the less you need to use to provide a taste boost. Balsamic vinegar offers a number of health benefits, though the serving size is small.
Health Benefits And Uses Of Balsamic Vinegar
Diabetes
Balsamic vinegar improves insulin sensitivity which promotes blood sugar regulation. This can often reduce unpleasant side effects of high and low blood sugar levels associated with diabetes.
Bone Health
Acetic and pepsin help improve the absorption of important minerals into your body like magnesium and calcium. These two minerals are important in the formation of strong and healthy bones. Balsamic vinegar is a great source of both minerals.
Fighting Cancer
The grapes that are used in the formation of balsamic vinegar contain quercetin, which is a bioflavonoid with antioxidant properties. Along with having Vitamin C, the antioxidant also strengthens your immune system thereby making it easy for you to fight infections inflammations and even cancer.
Reducing Heart Attack Risk
Since balsamic vinegar contains low cholesterol and saturated fat, it is not harmful to your health more so to the heart. Substituting dressings that have high cholesterol levels with balsamic vinegar will improve your heart health because unwanted fats won’t deposited in your blood vessels. What’s more, balsamic vinegar contains low sodium and this means reduced blood pressure and enhanced heart health.
Pain Reliever
Balsamic vinegar was used in ancient times to relieve people of pain. People suffering from headaches and migraines can also find relief from their agony by taking some balsamic vinegar. This vinegar can also be used to treat infections and wounds as it has anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties.
Improved Metabolism
The polyphenols in balsamic vinegar boost the effect of pepsin which is an enzyme that breaks protein into smaller amino acids. This means that the amino acids are more easily absorbed into the body improving metabolism.
Antioxidant
When oxidation takes place in your body, energy is produced. This energy hampers the formation of free radicals. Free radicals are known to destroy cell membranes. They also manifest as premature aging, which hardens your arterial walls. The antioxidants found in balsamic vinegar destroy the free radicals and as a result, protecting your cells from destruction. The balsamic vinegar has also been seen to slow the process of aging.
Boost our immune system
Balsamic vinegar contains powerful antioxidant called polyphenols which fight cell damage and boost our immune system
Weight Loss
Balsamic vinegar can also be used as dressing for salads hence a wonderful substitute for fatty acids like mayonnaise. Since this vinegar also contains calories that only come from the grapes’ sugar content, it makes for a good weight control substitute. Balsamic vinegar is also known to keep you feeling full and for longer. Therefore, you will eat less food hence controlling your weight.
Anti-bacterial and anti-viral Agent
Balsamic has anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties which can make it an effective remedy for treating infections and wounds.
Uses of Balsamic Vinegar
Dipping whole-grain bread in extra-virgin olive oil mixed with balsamic vinegar can be a great light appetizer before a meal.
Dipping whole-grain bread in extra-virgin olive oil mixed with balsamic vinegar can be a great light appetizer before a meal.
For a breadless Italian sandwich try making an Asparagus Caprese Sandwich, with tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and basil.
Mix balsamic vinegar with extra-virgin olive oil and your favorite herbs and spices for a quick and healthy salad dressing or marinade.
Balsamic vinegar adds a unique taste to sweet desserts. It can be drizzled on fresh strawberries or try it over these Blue Cheese-Stuffed Strawberries.
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