Balsamic Vinegar Health Benefits

 

Balsamic  vinegar health benefits comprise reduced risks of heart diseases, cancer  and other infectious diseases. Moreover, balsamic vinegar decelerates  the aging process, controls diabetes, assists in digestion, etc.

Originated from Italy, this condiment is an aromatic, thick, dark,  syrup-like aged type of vinegar, prepared by the reduction of cooked  grapes. Balsamic vinegar, though popularly referred to as wine vinegar  is not made from wine, but is prepared from grape pressings, whose  fermentation process has been hindered. The best balsamic vinegar is  prepared in the hills of Modena, in Italy, where unique and flavorful  balsamic vinegar is formed. This vinegar is known to be a cut above the  other types of vinegar.  Unlike the sharp taste of vinegar, balsamic vinegar has a rich, sweet  flavor. You need to taste it to believe it!
Italians have been relishing balsamic vinegar for centuries, however,  the American palate has been able to savor this only since the past two  decades. Today balsamic vinegar is one of the most popular condiments  available in American grocery stores and is used in various sauces,  marinades, salad dressings, dips, desserts, etc. The popularity surge of  this dark, syrup-like condiment is not only because of its remarkable  taste, but balsamic vinegar health benefits also play a major role in  adding points to the popularity chart.
Health Benefits of Balsamic Vinegar
Balsamic vinegar retains most of the nutrients present in the parent  grapes and comprises nutrients like iron, calcium, potassium, manganese,  phosphorus and magnesium in adequate amounts. Thus, incorporating  balsamic oil in the daily diet  will benefit one immensely. Let us look at the different balsamic  vinegar health benefits.
Antioxidant Properties Oxidation reactions taking place in the human body to produce energy,  conduce to formation of cell damaging free radicals as natural  by-products. Free  radicals damage cell membranes and manifest themselves in terms of  premature aging, hardening of arterial walls and cancer. Antioxidants  from balsamic vinegar destroy these free radicals and prevent cells from  being destroyed.
Fights Cancer The grapes from which balsamic vinegar is formed is known to contain a  bioflavonoid called quercetin, which has antioxidant properties. Along  with vitamin C, this antioxidant strengthens the immune system  to fight cancer and other infectious  diseases and inflammations. Balsamic vinegar also contains  polyphenols which are anticancer agents.
Reduces Risks of Heart Attacks Balsamic vinegar is low in saturated fat and is believed to reduce cholesterol.  Moreover, since it is low in sodium, it enhances heart health and  reduces high blood pressure.
Controls Diabetes Research reveals that consumption of at least 5 teaspoons of balsamic  vinegar a day enhances insulin  sensitivity. The greater the insulin sensitivity, the better the diabetes control.
Natural Pain Reliever In ancient times, folk healers used this vinegar to relieve people of  their body pain. Moreover, they also used balsamic vinegar to treat  wounds and infections. The anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties in  the vinegar healed wounds.
Assists Digestion The polyphenols in balsamic vinegar stimulate the activity of pepsin  enzyme in the body. Pepsin is a digestive enzyme, which helps break  proteins into smaller units (amino  acids). Moreover, these polyphenols also assist the intestine in  absorbing amino acids expeditiously. Efficient amino acid absorption  enables the body to utilize it for cell building, repair and other body  maintenance work. Thus, balsamic vinegar aids the digestion process.
Read more on :  Besides these balsamic vinegar health benefits, this vinegar also  reduces the frequency of headache  inceptions, strengthens bones (calcium absorption), energizes the body,  slows down aging process and prevents anemia. It also helps  in weight loss by suppressing one’s appetite. Authentic balsamic vinegar  would have been aged for a minimum period of 3 years to a maximum  period of 100 years. The longer the aging process, finer the vinegar  quality. However, commercially produced balsamic vinegar produced in a  few hours is also available in the stores.