Benefits Of Balsamic Vinegar

Balsamic vinegar is made by pressing and fermenting grapes. Originating in Italy, balsamic vinegar is aged for months or even years to get the right flavor profiles. Since it ferments and ages in oak barrels, it has a rich, earthy oak flavor. You can drizzle balsamic vinegar onto salad, fresh tomatoes, pasta or deli sandwiches for added flavor. Adding it to your diet offers multiple health benefits.

Low in Calories

Balsamic vinegar adds tons of flavor to any food, while providing few calories. Drizzling 1 tbsp. of balsamic vinegar on your salad at lunch adds a minimal 15 calories. Since it is a product of fermented fruit, almost all of the calories come from simple carbohydrates, like sugar. Additionally, balsamic vinegar is a fat-free food.

Antioxidant Properties

Balsamic vinegar is loaded with several compounds that have antioxidant properties. Free radicals form as a by-product of digestion. They travel through your body, permanently damaging your cells and increasing your risk of chronic diseases. Free radicals are also known to speed up aging and cause wrinkles. Antioxidants ward off free radicals and keep your cells healthy. A study published by the "Journal of Food Biochemistry" in 2010 explains that as the vinegar ages, a Maillard reaction occurs, causing a reaction of flavonoids and tannins. This reaction increases its antioxidant properties the longer it ages. Balsamic vinegar that has been aged for 10 years has more antioxidant power than balsamic vinegar that has been aged for only one year.

Appetite Supression and Digestion

Balsamic vinegar is an all natural food product that suppresses your appetite. This can help curb your cravings throughout the day and may even help you consume less during a meal. Adding balsamic vinegar to your diet helps produce more digestive enzymes, according to Cruets.com. This process boosts your metabolism, which is the breakdown of carbohydrates, protein and fat.

Minerals

Minerals are naturally occurring substances in balsamic vinegar. It provides calcium, phosphorous, potassium and iron. Calcium and phosphorus make up the structure of your bones and teeth, keeping them strong. You need 1,000 mg of calcium and 700 mg of phosphorous for the entire day. Each 1 tbsp. serving of balsamic vinegar provides 4 mg of calcium and 3 mg of phosphorous. Potassium is an electrolyte that passes electricity through your body, thereby aiding muscle contractions and skeletal movements. A serving a balsamic vinegar has 18 mg of potassium, adding to the 2,000 mg you need for the day. Iron's main function is to transport oxygen to cells, tissues and organs. Without enough iron, you feel weak and fatigued, a condition known as anemia. To prevent iron deficiency, women need 18 mg of iron and men need 8 mg. Balsamic vinegar provides nearly .12 mg per tablespoon. Adding a little balsamic vinegar to your grilled chicken at lunch, or on your side salad at dinner, is an additional way to get all of these essential minerals.