Should I Use Balsamic Vinegar for Health?

Our new article not only answers the question, "Should I Use Balsamic Vinegar for Health", it also explores additional facts on vinegar, known health benefits of balsamic vinegar, uses, healthy recipes using balsamic vinegar, and more. Quality balsamic vinegar, and also Apple Cider Vinegar, are simple ingredients and flavorful ways to begin your healthier lifestyle journey today. In addition, it's easy to incorporate balsamic vinegar into your daily diet!

And here's the answer to the question on is Balsamic Vinegar Good for Health? The answer is absolutely Yes! Read on to learn more on balsamic vinegar for health can be factored into your lifestyle.

Historic Health Benefits of Vinegar

Vinegar has longed been prescribed for its health benefits dating back to Hippocrates and beyond. He advised a drink of vinegar and honey for a variety of ailments. This tradition continued throughout the centuries and drinking vinegar was hugely popular during American colonial times. Learn more of the history, drinking vinegar and clever tips in our article, Timeless Virtues of Vinegar.

Known Health Benefits of Balsamic Vinegar

There are many known health benefits of Balsamic Vinegar and actually the entire category of vinegars including Apple Cider Vinegar and Wine Vinegars (Lambrusco Wine Vinegar). Our focus now is on Balsamic Vinegar with a few tidbits on Apple Cider Vinegar. 

Balsamic Vinegar is known for it's bold flavor which makes it very versatile to use across a variety dishes. We have recapped the known health benefits of balsamic vinegar in this article, however, you can learn more in our detailed article on The Health Benefits of Balsamic Vinegar.

Balsamic Vinegar & Decreased Cholesterol

Balsamic vinegar is high in antioxidants. The antioxidants present within balsamic vinegar targets toxins that inflate LDL levels of your cholesterol. The reduction in toxins, LDL (bad cholesterol) is therefore also known for helping to prevent clogged arteries.

Balsamic Vinegar's Probiotic Compound for Weight Loss

Balsamic vinegar contains probiotic compounds to help you feel full from meals for a longer duration of time. In addition, it's also fat-free unlike most other condiments and toppings. Quality balsamic vinegars are made from simple ingredients (e.g. cooked grape must, aged wine vinegar) and do not contain any additive or refined sugars, also helps keep blood sugars in check.

Balsamic Vinegar also Stabilizes Blood Pressure

Balsamic Vinegar contains various antioxidants called polyphenols, which have the ability to relax blood levels, leading to the reduction of of blood pressure levels. Balsamic Vinegar, combined with a low sodium diet, makes a powerful combination to live a heart-healthy lifetyle. 

Acetic Acid, the Digestion Process and Balsamic Vinegar

Acetic acid is one of the biggest active compounds within any vinegar. Acetic acid possesses strains of probiotics to support a healthy digestion process. Balsamic vinegar helps improve the overall health of your stomach and immune system too.

Balsamic Vinegar Nutritional Information

The Nutritional Information on quality-produced, authentic Balsamic Vinegars does vary by slightly by product, but overall you can expect to see Calories between 20 - 36 per Tablespoon, 0 Calories from Fat, Natural Sugars between 4-8g (Carbohydrates), 0 Cholesterol and 2mg of Sodium.

Please see The Olive Tap's Nutritional Information for Vinegars and Olive Oils. Specific Nutritional Information can also be view on each individual product (under Nutritional Information Tab). 

Benefits of Balsamic Vinegar

It's easy to recap the many benefits of Balsamic Vinegar, even without considering all of the many health benefits. Balsamic Vinegar for Health is...

• Robust flavor for gourmet taste on just about everything.
• Clean! No additives, preservatives or unknown chemical ingredients.
• Vegan and non-GMO.
• Versatile!
• Long Shelf Life: 2-5 Years (varies by specific product).
• Easy to Use!
• Available in both "Dark Balsamic Vinegars" and "White Balsamic Vinegars".
• Easy to Shop and Buy Online. At The Olive Tap, we work diligently to provide detailed taste profiles in the event you cannot come into our store for the true taste experience. In addition, our convenient Sweetness Scale, helps all shoppers understand if the balsamic vinegar is closer to tart or sweet. 

Easy Tip: Substitute Bottled Salad Dressings with Flavorful Vinaigrettes

Bottled salad dressings are often considered bad due to many of the store-bought options contain high amounts of added sugar (including high fructose corn syrup), sodium, preservatives, unknown food chemicals and colorings and unhealthy fats (e.g. palm oil). 

Homemade vinaigrettes are an excellent substitution for bottled salad dressings and trust us, you will love the flavor! In addition, it's easy! 

Making the Perfect Vinaigrette

Vinaigrette Recipes

For those "creamy" dressing lovers, please check out Mario's Yogurt Lime Dressing Recipe. What's even more fun is to substitute other flavored olive oils such as Blood Orange Olive Oil,  Sorrento Lemon Olive Oil or other Flavor Infused Olive Oils. We always encourage our customers to experiment with various substitutions and what you may have on hand in your kitchen.

Numerous Uses, Tips & Recipes Using Balsamic Vinegar for Health

At The Olive Tap we are continually search for not only quality balsamic vinegars and freshly pressed olive oils, we also like to provide usage tips. Check out Tap's Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar Usage Ideas to learn more.

On Tips, here are a few:

• To cut fats further, skip the Olive Oil and drizzle your next salad with just Balsamic Vinegar. In a small bowl, mix a few dried herbs or spices to add even more flavor.
• A common ratio of Olive Oil to Vinegar for Vinaigrettes is 2/3's Oil to 1/3 Vinegar. Try it next time at a 1/1 Ratio or even less Oil. Try a few different ratio combination until you know your preference! 

As many of our customers also know, we have a robust Library of Recipes featuring our Aged Balsamic Vinegars of Modena, 100% Extra Virgin Olive Oils, Wine Vinegars and Flavor Infused Olive Oils.

Health Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar

We cannot forget about the many health benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar. Similar to Balsamic Vinegar, Apple Cider Vinegar has several health benefits.

• Blood Sugar Regulation - Can help improve insulin sensitivity and lower blood sugar levels after meals.
• Cholesterol Reduction - May help lower serum cholesterol.
• Gut Health - Natural probiotics to promote gut health.
• Hair & Skin Health - Can be used to help cleanse hair of product buildup and is commonly used to ease skin symptoms of eczema.  
• Weight Loss - May help reduce calorie intake.

We hope you have enjoyed learning more about Balsamic Vinegar for Health including understanding the facts, uses, recipes, tips and more. Of course, when making any significant changes to your diet, please be sure to consult your physician.