Balsamic vinegar: benefits and harms to the body

Contents

History of appearance in nutrition
Composition and calorie content
Benefits of balsamic vinegar
Harm of balsamic vinegar
Application in medicine
Cooking application
- Caprese salad
- Beef with balsamic vinegar
How to choose and store balsamic vinegar
Popular questions and answers

Unusual sour sauce, with pleasant fruity and wine tones – all this is about balsamic vinegar, which we will discuss in more detail below.

Balsamic vinegar, although known for a long time, is still not a frequent and popular guest in cuisines. Perhaps because the “guest” is too exotic for us and unusual, or maybe someone is scared off by the cost. Either way, it’s worth getting to know him at least once. ” Healthy Food Near Me” together with gastroenterologist Olga Arisheva tells everything you need to know about balsamic vinegar and its benefits and harms to the body.

History of appearance in nutrition

This unusual sauce dates back to 1046 – it was then that the first mention of it appeared. History claims that it was in this year that Margrave Boniface presented the future King Henry III with a small bottle of balsamic vinegar as a gift. This gift was the first of its kind and started the tradition of “royal gifts”.

It was originally produced in the Italian province of Modena (1).

Previously, there was no single “correct” recipe for making vinegar, however, as now. The right to manufacture was a privilege and only a limited circle of the aristocracy could be engaged in production.

Vinegar was called “balsamic” for a reason, since it was originally used for medical purposes and later moved to the kitchen and became a decoration for dishes. For his ability to “disinfect” products and preserve their sauce, he was “transferred” to the kitchen. Fausto Sestini’s monumental work “On the Balsamic Vinegar of Modena”, published in 1893, is even devoted to the benefits of balsamic vinegar (3).

Composition and calorie content

Caloric value on 100 g	88 kcal
Proteins	0,49 g
Fats	0 g
Carbohydrates	17,03 g

The calorie content is approximate, since it all depends on what products the sauce was made from, but there should be no fat in any case.

Benefits of balsamic vinegar

Undoubtedly, balsamic vinegar has useful properties, because it was not just that it was originally a medicine. There were many rumors about the benefits and properties of the balm, but they even tried to treat the plague in the XNUMXth century.

But among the undoubted qualities of the sauce, antibacterial and antiseptic properties can be distinguished.

– Balsamic vinegar is a good seasoning, it is important to emphasize that it should not be subjected to heat treatment, but is best used for ready-made dishes: meat, fish, salads. The sauce has a low calorie content, but a pronounced taste, it can be used for weight loss, since dishes with it do not need additives. Balsamic vinegar contains potassium, copper, iron, ascorbic acid. They have a good effect on the body, stabilizing the nervous system and brain activity. The recommended dosage is about 2 tablespoons. It is important to note that the product may cause allergies. If it is, then the sauce should be discarded. In addition, not only the vinegar itself is important, but also what you eat it with, says Olga Arisheva, a gastroenterologist-hepatologist.

Benefits of Balsamic Vinegar for Men

The antioxidants in vinegar help men fight cancer cells in the reproductive system. Useful substances contribute to the regulation of hormonal metabolism and contribute to the prevention of diseases associated with testosterone deficiency. The acids in vinegar help regulate the digestion process and make food easier to digest. This helps to avoid unnecessary problems with the gastrointestinal tract in the future.

Benefits of Balsamic Vinegar for Women

The substances contained in the sauce also help fight breast cancer cells and protect against reproductive system problems. And the polyphenols included in the composition actively counteract free radicals, which can provoke premature aging.

Separately, it is necessary to mention pregnant women. Despite the rather unusual and sometimes harsh taste, balsamic vinegar is safe for pregnant women. Naturally, with a number of reservations, such as intolerance to the components, the presence of health problems – in this case, it is better to consult a doctor. But in general, balsamic vinegar will help restore the deficiency of useful elements in the body. In some cases, balsamic can be used as an antipyretic compress, but very carefully.

Benefits of Balsamic Vinegar for Children

Children can eat balsamic vinegar from the age of three. And after this age, you can carefully add sauce to dishes and look at the reaction of the child’s body, since everything will be individual here.

Harm of balsamic vinegar

There are no specific contraindications for this product. Balsamic vinegar should not be eaten with individual reactions of the body, such as allergies. Do not get carried away with serious problems with the digestive tract. Given its sour taste, vinegar is not good friends with stomach ulcers, gastritis and similar diseases. You should not use it for vein thrombosis, with diagnosed type II diabetes mellitus, insufficient blood clotting. It should be treated with care in diseases of the urinary system.

Use balsamic vinegar with caution during pregnancy and also keep a close eye on children. In general, the main thing is not to overdo it.

Application in medicine

It is worth remembering that even though balsamic vinegar used to be considered a medicine, now, at best, it is an aid and you should not rely on its magical properties. However, as an additional method of treatment, it can still be used in medicine, albeit folk medicine.

Balsamic has antibacterial and antiseptic properties – one drop of vinegar can disinfect a bottle of water.

Balsamic vinegar can also be used for diabetes, for the treatment of vascular diseases. Its use normalizes the functioning of the nervous system and helps relieve symptoms of insomnia, anxiety, etc.

But before using it for medicinal purposes, consult your doctor.

Cooking application

In cooking, this sauce is used as an additive and seasoning for meat, fish, vegetables, herbs and even fruits.

Caprese salad

Already a classic Italian salad, which can be found on the menu of every second restaurant. Easy and simple to prepare

Tomatoes	2 piece.
Mozzarella	100 g
Basil	1-3 sprigs
Olive oil	to taste
Balsamic vinegar	to taste
Salt pepper	to taste

Prepare all the products, wash the tomatoes and cut into slices. Then take the mozzarella ball out of the brine, pat dry and cut into thin slices. The thinner the slices, the better.

Lay the slice of tomato, slice of cheese, and basil leaf overlapping on plates. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Add salt and pepper if desired.

Submit your signature dish recipe by email. [email protected]. Healthy Food Near Me will publish the most interesting and unusual ideas

Beef with balsamic vinegar

Pretty simple meat dish that will decorate the table

Olive oil	15 ml
beef fillet	800 g
Garlic	1 denticle
Balsamic vinegar	40 ml
Ð¡Ð¿ÐµÑ†Ð¸Ð¸	to taste

Wash the meat and cut into 4 steaks. Put in a bowl, add olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Cut and also put chopped garlic and spices to taste in a plate with meat.

Preheat a skillet – a grill is best – and fry the steaks for 3 minutes on each side.

Serve with a side dish of your choice.

How to choose and store balsamic vinegar

Store balsamic vinegar in a dark, cool place. In order to choose the best quality product, you need to pay attention to the label. First of all – the place of production: the province of Modena, this will provide the greatest “originality” of the sauce. The second selection criterion is the aging age. Balsamic vinegar must be aged for a minimum of 12 years (2). The color of the label will tell you the age of the balsamic:

red – at least 12 years;
silver – 18 years;
gold – about 25 years.

Real balsamic vinegar should be viscous, not very liquid. It has a deep dark color, reminiscent of tar.