Health Benefits of Balsamic Vinegar
Several health benefits have been documented for high-quality balsamic vinegar. It provides beautiful flavour without any added refined sugar or colouring. All sugars and sulphites are naturally occurring. As well, it contains no cholesterol and is low in sodium. It is a source of calcium, iron, manganese, phosphorous, and potassium.
Heart health and blood pressure
Balsamic vinegar can reduce the concentration of triglycerides and total cholesterol in the body; these have been linked to heart attacks and stroke. Also, due to its low saturated fat content, balsamic vinegar is believed to enhance heart health and reduce high blood pressure.
Slows down premature aging
Consuming balsamic vinegar can also help to deter premature aging. Oxidation reactions taking place in the human body lead to the formation of free radicals. These free radicals damage cell membranes and manifest themselves as premature aging, hardening of arterial walls, and cancer. The antioxidants in balsamic vinegar destroy free radicals in the body, thereby reducing cell damage.
Polyphenols
The polyphenols in balsamic vinegar stimulate the activity of digestive enzymes known as “pepsin enzymes” in the body. Polyphenols also assist the intestine in efficiently absorbing amino acids, which makes cell building, repair, and other body maintenance possible. Since polyphenols are a type of antioxidant, they, along with Vitamin C, strengthen the immune system to fight cancer, inflammation, and other infectious diseases.
Atherosclerosis prevention
Balsamic vinegar has the ability to combat atherosclerosis, a serious medical condition that can result in the thickening and rupture of artery walls. Low-density lipoproteins (LDLs), are generally bad for the body; they enable the transport of cholesterol in the bloodstream. It is hypothesized that one of the main causes of atherosclerosis is the build-up of LDLs in the vessel wall, which leaves the LDLs vulnerable to oxidation. Oxidized LDLs are toxic to the body, because they lead to harmful fatty streaks of plaque in the arteries. Balsamic vinegar inhibits the LDL oxidation.