Natural Remedies Using Balsamic Vinegar

The Romans developed balsamic vinegar when they used to boil grape juice to preserve it for the winter. Some of the juice fermented and turned into vinegar. Since then, Modena, Italy has become known for its balsamic vinegar. The vinegar-making process begins with the juice of well-ripened Trebbiano grapes, heated and aged in wooden casks until it becomes more concentrated and turns into a flavorful sour-and-sweet brown vinegar. Longer aging means a more expensive balsamic vinegar.

Digestion

Balsamic vinegar may aid in digestion, especially the digestion of protein. The polyphenols in balsamic vinegar stimulate the body's production of pepsin, which helps to convert protein into its component amino acids and also helps the body absorb those amino acids. Balsamic vinegar also helps your body absorb calcium and other essential minerals.

Nail Fungus

The anti-fungal property of balsamic vinegar makes it potentially effective in treating toenail or fingernail fungus. Proponents of this remedy claim a drop or two of the vinegar applied twice daily to the base of the nail should clear up the fungus. However, scientific support for this treatment is lacking.

Wounds

Folk healers have a history of treating wounds and infections with balsamic vinegar. Though the anti-microbial property of balsamic vinegar is undisputed, experts advise against the use of vinegar for treating wounds based on scientific evidence. Vinegar is only slightly effective at inhibiting the growth of certain bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus, and not effective at inhibiting other forms of bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Bacteroides fragilis and group D Enterococcus.

Blood Sugar

Balsamic vinegar holds promise for lowering blood sugar levels. Taking about 5 tsp. of balsamic vinegar as a part of your meal -- to dress a salad or to season vegetables, for example -- may increase your insulin sensitivity, which aids in insulin absorption. It may be that the vinegar's ability to slow the rate at which your stomach is emptied contributes to the antiglycemic effect of vinegar. The ability of balsamic vinegar to lower blood sugar levels may benefit high-risk individuals by slowing their progression to diabetes.

Cancer

Because balsamic vinegar contains polyphenols, the compounds that plants make to defend against oxidative stress, it can help lead to a reduced cancer risk, as a result of the polyphenol antioxidant protection.