10 Reasons to Have a Daily Spoonful of Balsamic Vinegar
Balsamic vinegar is a popular condiment
that is often used in salad dressings, marinades and many other foods.
Its flavor is distinct and is often described as tart and complex. Some
studies suggest that balsamic vinegar has several health benefits that
range from improving a person's complexion to lowering cholesterol and
aiding weight loss. Let's take a look at the potential health benefits
of balsamic vinegar:
1. Improves skin health
Balsamic vinegar contains antimicrobial compounds, acetic acids and
antioxidants - components that may help improve a person's complexion
over time. If using this method opt for clear vinegar to help clear up
acne as balsamic can cause stains and should not be applied directly to
the skin.
2. Reduces blood sugar
Studies suggest that this popular salad dressing ingredient offers a
number of health benefits, including in helping to regulate blood sugar.
In one review which examined the scientific effects of vinegar found
that balsamic vinegar has an anti-glycemic impact when consumed. This
means that a person's blood sugar will spike less drastically after a
meal. According to the paper, it indicated that vinegar could help
create a blood sugar plateau for a period of up to 5 hours following a
meal.
3. Promoting healthy digestion
One of the active compounds found in balsamic vinegar is acetic acid.
This acid contains strains of probiotics that aid digestion. The
probiotics found in acetic acid help promote good gut health and
digestion while supporting overall immune function.
4. It lowers cholesterol
It has been found that balsamic vinegar may help lower cholesterol. The
antioxidants in balsamic vinegar help block toxic cells in the body that
raise cholesterol levels. In one study which involved rabbits with high
cholesterol, it is possible that consuming balsamic vinegar can help
lower or maintain already low cholesterol levels.
5. It helps you lose weight
The probiotics contained in balsamic vinegar can help you feel full for
longer. Studies show that people may consume fewer calories throughout
the day when they add vinegar to their morning meal.
6. It treats wounds
For many years, balsamic vinegar has been used to treat wounds. It has
been suggested that balsamic vinegar has anti-fungal, antiviral, and
antibacterial properties. However, it is important to note that these
claims have not been well studied.
7. It reduces hypertension
In one study which involved rats, it was determined that balsamic
vinegar may help lower blood pressure. This research suggested that
regularly adding balsamic vinegar to foods may help reduce high blood
pressure over time. It may be true if a person replaces fatty foods,
such as butter and oil, with vinegar, which lowers the total amount of
fats they consume.
8. It relieves congestion
While this is not popularly known, some people use balsamic vinegar to
help treat congestion. To do this, add a few drops of vinegar to
steaming water and breathe in the vapor.
9. It reduces acid reflux
Balsamic vinegar can be used to help reduce acid reflux or heartburn.
While this remedy may not work for everyone, you may want to give it a
try. Do so in small amounts and wait several hours to see whether it
improves your symptoms, or worsens them.
10. It promotes blood circulation
Balsamic vinegar is derived from grapes. Studies have shown that grapes
help prevent cardiac disease by preventing platelets from building up in
blood vessels. It also contains polyphenols which aid in blood
circulation. However, the evidence is inconclusive so far.
But what are the risks of taking balsamic vinegar?
While the risks are few, it has been discovered that taking too much
balsamic vinegar may cause an upset stomach. Generally speaking,
however, it is safe for people to consume unless you suffer from an
allergy.
Other possible risks include:
1. Inflammation of the throat
2. Damage to the food pipe from drinking too much.
Limit your intake to about two tablespoons or less, as drinking too much
can cause an upset stomach and other issues. Furthermore, be careful of
what brands you buy. Genuine balsamic may be expensive but it does not
contain added sugars.