Health Benefits Of Drinking Balsamic Vinegar

Balsamic vinegar has quickly become one of our favorite flavors in dressings and sauces. Although the health effects of ingesting vinegar can be found in most varieties, the essential benefit in drinking balsamic vinegar, or aceto balsamico, is taste. Traditional balsamic vinegar is made of Trebbiano grapes from Modena, Italy, where the product originated. The word balsamic denotes "balm," which translates from Italian as "healing" and "soothing" medicine.

Properties of Basamic Vinegar

Because of the product being derived from grape juice, balsamic vinegar contains a number of nutrients. It also contains antioxidant polyphenols. Such an antioxidant may be able to lower LDL cholesterol counts in your body. Balsamic vinegar is abundant in potassium, and calcium. Balsamic vinegar is also fat free and has small amounts of vitamin A, vitamin C, riboflavin, niacin, iron, and thiamine. The vinegar is distinctively dark in color, unless it's white balsamic vinegar, and is bitter but sweet in taste.

Weight Lost

Louise Gittleman, PHD, CNS for "The Healing Powers of Vinegar" by Cal Orey discusses the effects of acetic acid, the key ingredient that vinegars are made of. Gittleman mentions that acetic acid is known to retard the absorption of carbohydrates as they are metabolized in the body, which leads to the dissolving of fats. Gittleman adds that the acid can purify the blood and detoxes the body. In addition, the potassium in the vinegar reduces hunger. Drinking about two tablespoons of balsamic vinegar a day can help with weight loss through this process, which occurs when you eat certain foods.

Diabetes and Vinegar

In addition to weight loss, Arizona State University scientist Carol Johnston found other positive attributes of vinegar. In a study researching the effects of consuming vinegar among diabetic, pre-diabetic, and non-diabetic subjects, the results were a reduction in blood sugar levels. Reducing your body's blood sugar level enables the insulin to move sugars into the appropriate cells that take them in, as it normally should happen. Drinking balsamic vinegar can do as much some of the leading diabetes medication. Fortunately, balsamic vinegar's distinct flavor is what makes the product popular. Drinking it may be a pleasurable experience for you.

Simpler Remedies with Balsamic Vinegar

Drinking about two tablespoons of balsamic vinegar may relieve heartburn or acid indigestion. Other uses for the vinegar include chest congestion via a hot water and vinegar vapor, and sore throat by gargling with hot water and honey. Balsamic vinegar has the taste and scent that is much easier to the senses than other types of vinegar.