Balsamic vinegar is a flavorful, thick liquid seasoning that not only adds flavor to foods, it also offers health benefits to those who consume it. This product of Italy appears as a dark syrup and is aged in wooden barrels. Knowing how to utilize balsamic vinegar can help to benefit your health.
Significance
True balsamic vinegar is produced in the Modena and Reggio Emilia regions of Italy, according to Fine Cooking. The governments of this region have strict manufacturing rules, down to how a balsamic vinegar bottle is shaped. Balsamic vinegar from these regions must be aged for at least 12 years in order to retain the flavors and nutrients associated with balsamic vinegar.
Insulin Resistance
Carol Johnston, a researcher at Arizona State University, conducted an experiment to test how the body breaks down vinegar when it is ingested. After measuring test subjects, Johnston found that drinking vinegar helps to reduce blood sugar spikes in diabetics. These findings are beneficial to those with diabetes because blood sugar spikes can cause damage in the body.
Residue Removal
Balsamic vinegar's natural acidity can help to remove harmful pesticide and farm-chemical residues, according to TLC Cooking. Add one part balsamic vinegar to nine parts water to create a vegetable or fruit wash that can reduce bacteria or pesticides. However, this solution may not be useful for fruits with fragile skins, such as some berries, because the vinegar will soak in through the pores.
Inflammation Fighter
In addition to balsamic vinegar's flavorful tastes, it is packed with antioxidants, according to the EVOO Marketplace, a website dedicated to studying the health benefits of vinegar. Antioxidants help to fight free radicals in the body, which can cause inflammation and damage to the body's tissues. Free radicals are associated with causing wrinkles and even cancer. Consuming balsamic vinegar can help to reduce inflammation. Balsamic vinegar also contains vitamins and minerals that help to slow osteoporosis.
Solution
Balsamic vinegar can be swapped for many high-calorie foods, allowing you to reap its health benefits. TLC Cooking suggests using balsamic-vinegar based salad dressing as a replacement for mayonnaise-based dressings, which tend to be higher in calories. You also can use balsamic vinegar as a marinade and tenderizer for lean meats. You can make a coleslaw using balsamic vinegar and add it to vegetables, such as beans. Balsamic vinegar also can be drizzled on top of strawberries and even ice cream to make a tasty dessert, according to TLC Cooking.
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