Health Benefits of Balsamic Vinegar

Description:

• Taste/ Flavor: Balsamic has a rich tart taste, but the sweetness covers the tart flavor, making it very mellow.
• Color : very dark brown
• Aging period: True balsamic vinegar is aged for between 3 and 12 years. Some balsamic vinegar is aged for up to 100 years, but they usually are very expensive.
• Factors that contribute to the taste of Balsamic: the previous vinegar in the barrel, the type of wood the barrel is made of , the number of years it is aged and climate
• Uses: seasoning and salad dressing

Balsamic is an aromatic, aged types of vinegar from the concentrated juice, of white grapes (wine grapes). Its distinct color and taste is a product of years of aging in a successive number of barrel made of various types of wood (including oak, mulberry, chestnut, cherry, juniper, ash, and acacia). The process of becoming vinegar occurs in wooden barrels. As the volume decreases through evaporation over period of years the maturing liquor is transferred to smaller and smaller barrels, each with its special blend of aromatic flavoring woods. The barrels are placed in the attic for ideal temperatures, hot in summer, cold in winter. Over years of aging finest Balsamic emerges.

The commercial balsamic sold in supermarkets today is typically made with red wine vinegar or concentrated grape juice mixed with strong vinegar, which is laced with caramel and sugar.

Other than its positive effect on the taste of our food, balsamic is also good for our health. So instead of using mayonnaise based dressing on your salad, substitute balsamic vinegar to it to reduce your overall fat and calorie intake. Balsamic vinegar is also an effective marinade for tenderizing lean cuts of meat.

Health Benefits:

• Balsamic has anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties which make it an effective remedy for treating infections and wounds.
• Folk healers used balsamic to cure body pain and as energizer.
• Balsamic vinegar contains powerful antioxidant called polyphenols which fight cell damage and boost our immune system.
• The antioxidant in balsamic have also the potential to protect against heart disease, cancer, and other inflammatory conditions.
• Balsamic can help boost the activity of the digestive enzyme pepsin thus improving metabolism.
• Balsamic may help control diabetes. Study suggests that by adding as little as five teaspoons of the vinegar with a meal can improve insulin sensitivity. Better insulin sensitivity means better diabetes control and lowered risk of dangerous complications.
• Balsamic can reduce cholesterol level.
• Balsamic antioxidant may slow the aging process.
• Balsamic reduces the frequency of headaches.
• Balsamic contains important minerals that can strengthen the bones.
• Balsamic can help prevent anemia and fatigue.
• Balsamic can help suppress appetite and therefore an aid in controlling weight.