Balsamic Vinegar Health Benefits…

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Balsamic vinegar, also known as wine vinegar is made from unfermented grape pressings. It has a unique, sweet, and rich flavour and also offers some potential health benefits, some of them are listed below, in this article.

New to the Indian palette, its usage is gaining increased usage in the Indian Kitchens, as a salad dressing, seasoning and as a flavour enhancer.

Balsamic vinegar is left in barrels for months or even years, to age. This leads to thick and darker coloured vinegar. This vinegar is used as a low-fat additive.

Nutritional Facts of Balsamic Vinegar

Balsamic vinegar is rich in minerals, it contains high amounts of iron, calcium, sodium, magnesium, manganese, potassium, and phosphorus. It offers a few calories.

100 gm of it contains 88 calories, 23 mg of sodium, 17 gm of carbohydrates, 15 gm of sugar, 0.5 gm of protein, 27 mg of calcium, 0.72 mg of iron, and 112 mg of potassium. It contains zero percentage of fats, fibre, vitamin A, and vitamin D.

Potential Health Benefits of Balsamic Vinegar

1/7. Improves skin health

The antioxidants, antimicrobial compounds, and acetic acid content of balsamic vinegar help in improving skin health. It makes the skin look clearer and brightens the complexion.

2/7. Promotes healthy digestion

1. The acetic acid content of balsamic vinegar contains strains of probiotics which help in smooth digestion.

2. These probiotics also promote excellent gut health.

3. The polyphenols present in balsamic vinegar activates the function of an enzyme, pepsin which breaks down protein into smaller amino acids that can be absorbed easily by the body. Thus, balsamic vinegar promotes a healthy and smooth digestion process.

4. Pepsin also enhances the metabolism of the body.

3/7. Fights Cancer

1.The grapes from which balsamic vinegar is formed is known to contain Quercetin, a bioflavonoid found in the grapes from which this vinegar is prepared possesses antioxidant properties which along with vitamin C, helps in strengthening the immune system to fight cancer.

2. The polyphenol content of the vinegar is anticancer agents that fight against cancer.

4/7. Lowers cholesterol

1. The antioxidant ingredient of balsamic vinegar blocks the toxic cells present in the body which increases cholesterol levels thus stabilises blood cholesterol levels.

2. The polyphenols present in the vinegar hinder the oxidation of LDL cholesterol which minimises the risk of damage to cells from the harmful cholesterol.

5/7. Boosts immunity

The antioxidant ingredient present in the grapes that are used to prepare it, fight against the cell damage enhances the immune system of the body and increases the flexibility of blood platelets.

6/7. Treats wounds

Balsamic vinegar is quite effective in treating wounds. It possesses antiviral, anti-fungal, and antibacterial properties which help treat wounds.

7/7. Other possible Benefits

Balsamic vinegar produces numerous health benefits, apart from the health benefits mentioned above, it also produces few more such as reduces blood sugar, reduces high blood pressure, treats congestion, reduces acid reflux, promotes blood circulation, useful in weight loss, effective inathletes foot, detoxifies the system and purifies the blood, aids digestion, reduces frequency of headaches, relieves fatigue and anaemia, reduces appetite to prevent obesity, increases energy levels, reduce, certain body aches and pains, slow, the aging process, strengthens the bones, and prevents anaemia and fatigue.

There should be no trace alcohol in Balsamic Vinegar even though it is also made from grape juice. The high-quality vinegar is made from 100% grape must. Unfortunately, imperfect fermentation, in certain cases, can leave trace alcohol. Please buy only the reputed brands...

How to use Balsamic Vinegar in Cooking?

Balsamic vinegar can be utilised for cooking in several different ways. Some of them are as follows…

In sauces.
With cheeses.
With ice-cream.
In braised dishes.
In salad dressing.
A dip for fresh veggies.
In Balsamic roasted fruit.
In making barbecue sauce.
Making a basic vinaigrette.
In risotto and pasta dishes.
For meat and fish finishing.
For marinating meat and tofu.
Adding flavour to plain brownies.
Adding Balsamic glaze on pizza.
Dressing veggies by roasting them with balsamic.

How to prepare Roasted Balsamic Red Potatoes?

Take 4 small red potatoes. Preheat oven to 425°. Toss the potatoes with 2 tablespoons olive oil and season it with ¾ teaspoon garlic-pepper blend and ¼ teaspoon salt. Spread it on a pan.

Roast it for 25 minutes, stirring halfway. Drizzle with ¼ cup vinegar; roast for around 5-10 minutes till the potatoes are tender.