Health Benefits of Balsamic Vinegar You Probably Didn’t Know About
Balsamic vinegar doesn’t just spruce up a salad dressing; it also provides health benefits. Balsamic vinegar is a dark brown vinegar derived from unfermented grape juice and known for its bold and tart flavor. The next time you’re savoring every bite of a Caprese salad, or adding balsamic vinegar to your favorite dishes, you’ll know you’re also boosting your health. Let’s dive into the health benefits of balsamic vinegar you probably didn’t know.
1. Improves Cholesterol
Some studies suggest that one of the major benefits of balsamic vinegar is its ability to improve cholesterol levels. The antioxidants present in the vinegar target toxic scavenger cells in your body that can inflate LDL cholesterol (the cholesterol some experts refer to as the bad cholesterol) levels. Consuming balsamic vinegar as a glaze or dressing might help your cholesterol and heart health [1].
2. Improves Digestion
Acetic acid, the active compound in balsamic vinegar, contains strains of probiotic bacteria. As well as preserving food, probiotics promote healthy digestion and improve gut health. These healthy bacteria benefit also your immune system [2].
3. Supports Weight Loss
The probiotic compounds in balsamic vinegar make you feel fuller for longer, which could help with weight loss. Historically, different types of vinegars have been used as anti-glycemic agents to help with blood sugar [3].
Some studies indicated that vinegar consumption may help reduce or plateau blood sugar levels in individuals who are insulin resistant. Balsamic vinegar might make your meals more diabetes-friendly and help you avoid blood sugar spikes after eating. The ketogenic diet is another great way to improve blood sugar.
4. Improves Blood Circulation
Traditional balsamic vinegar contains polyphenols that might be advantageous for your cardiovascular system. Since it’s made from grapes, balsamic vinegar is actually a fruit product.
Grapes have been shown to prevent blood platelets from aggregating. This could prevent cardiac conditions and heart diseases. For centuries, Mediterranean cultures have been using balsamic vinegar as a healing ingredient [4].
5. Improves Hypertension
As well as benefiting the cardiovascular system, balsamic vinegar might also help with blood pressure. For example, in one animal study, rats with hypertension (high blood pressure) showed improvements in blood pressure after consuming vinegar [5].
Do You Eat Balsamic Vinegar on Keto?
Share your favorite keto recipes, dishes, and dressings starring balsamic vinegar.
References
Setorki, M., Asgary, S., Eidi, A., Rohani, A. H., & Khazaei, M. (2010). Acute effects of vinegar intake on some biochemical risk factors of atherosclerosis in hypercholesterolemic rabbits. Lipids in Health and Disease.
Ho, C. W., Lazim, A. M., Fazry, S., Zaki, U. K. H. H., & Lim, S. J. (2017). Varieties, production, composition, and health benefits of vinegars: A review. Food Chemistry.
Johnston, C. S., & Gaas, C. A. (2006). Vinegar: Medicinal uses and antiglycemic effect. Medscape General Medicine, 8(2), 61.
Keevil, J. G., Osman, H. E., Reed, J. D., & Folts, J. D. (2000). Grape juice, but not orange juice or grapefruit juice, inhibits human platelet aggregation. Journal of Nutrition, 130(1), 53-56.
Kondo, S., Tayama, K., Tsukamoto, Y., Ikeda, K., & Yamori, Y. (2001). Antihypertensive effects of acetic acid and vinegar on spontaneously hypertensive rats. Journal of Bioscience, Biotechnology, & Biochemistry, 65(12).
