3 Health Benefits Of Balsamic Vinegar
Balsamic vinegar is an ingredient capable of reporting benefits for human health. It is used to dress salads or to flavor dishes, although its nutritional properties are often neglected.
Ignorance about its potential does not mean that it does not have essential nutrients in its composition. Although we tend to put seasonings in second place, in this particular case we have a great ally.
Next we are going to comment on the benefits of balsamic vinegar for health and we will give you a series of reasons to increase its presence in the usual diet. It is a product that is easily available in the market, so there will be no excuses.
1. Balsamic vinegar contains probiotics
Probiotics are live bacteria that are ingested through food and supplements. They are able to colonize the gastrointestinal tract and form colonies there, where they reproduce in an environment that they create.
The intestinal flora plays a fundamental role in human health. Supports digestive function and reduces the risk of developing complex diseases. This relationship is evidenced in an article published in the journal Medicine.
These organisms are found in products obtained from lactic fermentation, such as yogurts and kefir. However, balsamic vinegar also contains them in its composition.
The bacteria that allow the fermentation of acetic acid are capable of influencing the health of people through the colonization of the gastrointestinal tract. They contribute to the composition of the microbiota, without competing as pathogens.
Regular consumption of foods rich in probiotics is recommended. In this way, it may be possible to prevent obesity in the long term, for example by optimizing the metabolism of nutrients. Even anxiety and stress levels can be reduced, which are regularized when biodiversity in the intestinal microbiota is stable.
2. Antioxidants, phytonutrients and tannins
Another benefit of balsamic vinegar has to do with the presence of antioxidants in its composition. These substances come from the grape and are, for the most part, phytonutrients.
Its habitual consumption is associated with a reduction in the incidence of chronic and metabolic pathologies, according to research published in the journal Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity . Especially osteoporosis seems to be one of the preventable diseases from its use.
Among all the flavonoids that balsamic vinegar contains, it is necessary to highlight the presence of grape tannins. Its protective effects on cardiovascular risk have been shown on several occasions, so its regular contribution is recommended.
It is more beneficial to include them in the diet through the consumption of grapes and vinegar, than through the intake of wine. The latter food contains alcohol in its composition, which reduces the absorption of phytonutrients and puts liver health at risk.
3. The benefits of balsamic vinegar in glycemic control
The last of the properties that we will discuss in this article, and that is attributed to vinegar in general, is its ability to help regulate blood glucose. It is considered an antidiabetic, according to a study published in 2017 in the journal Food Chemistry.
In any case, to benefit from it, it is valid to consume any variety of this product that can be found on the market. Therefore, it is important to check the labels before purchasing the products.
Often people buy balsamic vinegar cream, which is not the same as the vinegar itself. This food contains sugar in its composition, which affects blood glucose levels in a negative way.
Paying attention to the nutritional composition and the amount of simple and added sugars contained in products that are purchased on the market is vital for diabetics. The hidden glucose in commercial foods is decisive for the good control and accompaniment of antidiabetic medication.
Balsamic vinegar: a product with healthy benefits
Balsamic vinegar is a product that has certain benefits for the health of those who consume it. Most of them cannot be experienced in the short term, as they are linked to a progressive change in bacterial biodiversity or the maintenance of blood glucose levels.
However, consuming it on a regular basis is positive. The contribution of antioxidants is another reason why it is a good idea to introduce this seasoning into the usual diet.
The good news is that it is a food that can be incorporated into the diet through very different dishes. It is used to dress salads, but it is also possible to include it in some vegetable creams or in stir-fries. It will give different organoleptic qualities to the preparations, which can increase their palatability.
Anyway, remember to pay attention to the labeling and never choose a balsamic vinegar cream. These have simple sugars in their composition and lack the benefits of balsamic vinegar itself. Its consumption is discouraged in order to help prevent metabolic disorders.
