While balsamic vinegar may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of healthy foods, it's actually a powerful addition to your diet. There are many benefits of balsamic vinegar that can help you achieve optimal health and wellness. Move over olive oil, it's balsamic vinegar's time to shine!
Heart health
Balsamic vinegar contains a number of healthy compounds, including polyphenols and antioxidants. The most important of these is estrone glucoside (EG), which has been shown to have potent anti-inflammatory effects. In addition to its antioxidant benefits, EG helps improve blood flow by dilating your blood vessels, thereby reducing your risk of heart disease and stroke.
In one study published in the journal Nutrients in 2014, researchers found that women who consumed around 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of balsamic vinegar daily for 12 weeks experienced an improvement in their vascular health compared with those who did not consume any balsamic vinegar during that time period. Another study published in the same journal found similar results when subjects consumed either 1 tablespoon or 2 tablespoons (15 ml) per day over a longer period.
Weight loss
If you're looking to lose weight, balsamic vinegar might be a good choice for you. A tablespoon of balsamic vinegar contains around 12 calories and no fat. This makes it a low-calorie food that can help control blood sugar levels and aid in weight loss without cutting out any essential nutrients. Balsamic vinegar is also rich in antioxidants, which may help protect against certain diseases like heart disease and cancer.
By making some simple swaps with your meal planning, such as swapping traditional dressings for balsamic vinaigrettes or marinades for steak or chicken dishes, you'll be able to cut down on saturated fats while still enjoying delicious flavors from around the world! Baker & Olive's infused white and dark balsamic make switching up meal flavors a breeze.
Improves digestion and gut health
Balsamic vinegar is fantastic for gut health. In fact, it’s one of the best foods you can eat if you have digestive disorders or problems with food intolerances. The enzymes in balsamic vinegar help with digestion and absorption of nutrients, making this an excellent addition to any diet plan.
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Protein – Balsamic vinegar helps with protein digestion by breaking down the amino acids and making them more absorbable by your body. This means that if you’re eating a high-protein diet, adding a little balsamic to your meals will ensure that all those proteins are getting into your cells where they belong (rather than being eliminated as waste).
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Fat – Balsamic vinegar has been shown to decrease levels of triglycerides (fat in blood) while increasing good HDL cholesterol levels in research studies on rats who were fed a high-fat diet.[3] It also aids in fat breakdown so that it can be used as fuel for energy rather than stored as fat around your waistline!
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Fiber – If you suffer from constipation or other digestive issues that might be caused by lack of fiber intake, then adding some balsamic vinegar could help alleviate these problems because it contains natural pectin which acts as an anti-inflammatory when consumed regularly.[4]. You can also try adding fruit slices or berries (or both!) on top of yogurts or smoothies made with Greek yogurt instead of regular ones - this will help add probiotic bacteria back into our guts since they're often lost when we consume things like antibiotics etc.
Type 2 diabetes management
Balsamic vinegar is an effective way to manage your diabetes. The glucosides and polyphenols in balsamic vinegar help to lower your blood sugar, while the vinegar's low-sugar content makes it more suitable for diabetics than other vinegars.
Anti-aging properties for the skin
Did you know that balsamic vinegar can help you look younger?
The antioxidants in balsamic vinegar help protect the skin against free radicals, which are responsible for signs of aging. Free radicals are unstable molecules that come from natural sources and environmental factors like pollution, smoke and sunlight. When they enter the body, they damage cells and DNA causing wrinkles, sagging skin and other signs of aging. Antioxidants neutralize these harmful particles before they can do any damage to your body.
Detoxification
Balsamic vinegar, being rich in polyphenols, is a great source of antioxidants that can help your body fight off free radicals and other harmful substances. Antioxidants are also thought to be helpful in detoxification.
While all this may sound like an advertisement for balsamic vinegar, it's actually backed up by science: A study from 2011 found that participants who consumed high levels of polyphenols had higher levels of antioxidant activity (and therefore better protection from disease) than those who didn't consume high amounts of polyphenols!
Conclusion
Balsamic vinegar is a delicious, versatile food that offers a wide range of health benefits. Whether you use it as an ingredient in your meals or drink it as a beverage, there are many ways to enjoy this tasty condiment and reap its amazing health benefits! Enjoy exploring our 18-year-aged balsamic white and dark vinegar collection at Bakerandolive.com