Vinegar is widely used in salads, sauces and recipes and even for cleaning the house. There are different types of them, such as rice, apple, alcohol, wine and others. But do you know balsamic vinegar?
In Italian it is called “balsamic vinegar”, and its color is dark. It has a sweet and sour flavor and is great as a seasoning for salads and in sauces.
Balsamic vinegar, in a way, is the elite of vinegars. It is obtained from alcoholic and acetic fermentations that occur simultaneously in grape must, cooked over direct heat until the sugar content reaches 30%.
Then, the concentrated must is placed in barrels and, from time to time, switched to smaller containers made of specific wood, such as mulberry, cherry and oak.
The process can take years, until the ingredient becomes a legitimate acetum, with its unmistakable flavor, aroma and color.
Famous in the world
Made with the Trebbiano grape, the Traditional Balsamic Aceto di Modena It is the most famous in the world and with characteristics preserved by the Denomination of Origin Regulatory Council. “It is a much more complex and refined product”, says researcher Luiz Antenor Rizzon, from Embrapa Uva e Vinho.
Traditional vinegars Modena, in Italy, can be aged for 12, 25 years and are expensive. In addition to the wait, 100 kilos of grapes are needed to extract just 2 liters of balsamic.
“Its sweet flavor harmonizes perfectly with cheeses, such as parmigiano, to finish risottos, pastas and even desserts, such as the classic combination of strawberries marinated in balsamic and served with mascarpone ice cream”, suggests gastronomy professor Marcelo Neri, from the Center Senac University. Meats and salads are also transformed with a minimum dose of the condiment.
In the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, many families prepare your own vinegar for consumption or sale.
However, it can only be sold after approval by the Consorzio di Tutela dell’Acetto Balsamico Tradizionale di Modena or the Consorzio Produttori di Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale di Modena, when it receives a guarantee seal corresponding to the aging time.
Balsamic vinegaris the elite of vinegarsLittle known in Brazil
“In Brazil, unfortunately, most products have nothing to do with balsamic vinegar, as they contain caramel and dyes”, observes Wilma Spinosa, PhD in Food Science. In addition to the richness of flavors and perfumes that the ingredient adds to a simple dish, acetum is also rich in therapeutic properties. ”The tenor Luciano Pavarotti is one of the greatest propagators of Modena balsamic. He usually drips drops of the dark, dense liquid down his throat,” says Rizzon.
In addition to the traditional balsamic, there are fig, raspberry and above all apple versions. There are very few, but great crafts.
In the past, the fermented liquid was used as a balm and food preservative by colorful people who loved banquets.
Soaked in bread, balsamic helped cleanse the palate between courses at dinners throughout the empire. It has also been considered a medicine.
In the former Roma balsamic vinegar was used as a stomach disinfectant. After 1500, this dark, acidic liquid gained an honorable place on the tables of nobles. Barrels like these filled with Modena balsamic vinegar were offered as dowries at weddings.
And he quickly received important recognition. Lucrecia Borgia, in the 16th century used it against labor pains. The century that consecrated balsamic was the 19th, also artistically.
Traditional Modena vinegars can be aged for 12 to 25 yearsWhat are the health benefits of balsamic vinegar?
Balsamic vinegar has been considered a “potion of youth” in ancient times.
This type of vinegar has polyphenols that help fight free radicals, which cause premature aging. Furthermore, its acidity helps stimulate the production of saliva and gastric juice, which contributes to digestion.
Those with diabetes can also benefit from consuming balsamic, as it helps reduce blood glycemic levels, which helps control the disease. It has a low caloric value: a tablespoon has around 15 calories. In comparison, a spoonful of olive oil has about 100 calories.
Os main benefits of balsamic vinegar for health are the following:
1. Skin health
Rich in antioxidant, antimicrobial compounds and acetic acid, balsamic vinegar helps make your skin more beautiful and healthy over time.
Despite the benefits of balsamic vinegar for the skin, it must be used with care as, as it is dark, applying it directly to the skin can cause blemishes.
2. Lowering blood sugar levels
Balsamic vinegar can help regulate blood sugar levels. According to a scientific review published in 2006 in the journal Medscape General Medicine, consuming balsamic vinegar has an antiglycemic impact – meaning that blood sugar spikes will not occur immediately after eating and that the individual’s glucose levels will rise slowly after the meal.
According to data from these studies, it is possible for people with insulin resistance to keep their sugar levels under control for up to 5 hours after a meal containing balsamic vinegar.
3. Weight loss
Balsamic vinegar contains probiotics that can promote feelings of fullness. This undoubtedly helps with weight loss, as a satiated person tends to eat fewer calories.
In fact, the study mentioned above confirms that adding vinegar to breakfast or lunch causes people to consume fewer calories throughout the day.
Although it is not a miracle ingredient for weight loss, there are benefits of balsamic vinegar for the weight loss process.
4. Lower cholesterol
The antioxidant substances present in balsamic vinegar help block toxic cells in the body that can increase cholesterol levels.
In 2010, a study conducted with rabbits and published in the scientific journal Lipids in Health and Disease showed that vinegar is actually capable of reducing or keeping cholesterol levels stable and preventing clogging of arteries.
Another research also published in 2010 in Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology shows that balsamic vinegar actually helps cleanse the body of toxins that can increase LDL (bad cholesterol) levels.
5. Relief from nasal congestion
By adding a few drops of balsamic vinegar to a portion of hot water and breathing in the steam that comes out of the mixture, it is possible to relieve nasal congestion.
6. Acid reflux treatment
Some people may see improvements when using balsamic vinegar to reduce heartburn and reflux. Not all results are satisfactory, but it’s worth a try.
7. Controlling hypertension
A study carried out with rats published in 2001 in the journal Bioscience, Biotechnology and Biochemistry found that adding balsamic vinegar to foods regularly can help lower high blood pressure over time.
However, studies in humans are still needed to confirm these benefits of balsamic vinegar, and the reduction of hypertension can only be truly achieved if the hypertensive person replaces or limits the consumption of fatty foods that are harmful to the arteries.
8. Stimulation of blood circulation
According to a study published in 2000 in Journal of Nutrition, grapes help prevent heart disease, as they prevent blood platelets from clumping together.
But what does grape have to do with vinegar? It is derived from grapes and, therefore, this benefit can also be observed by adding vinegar to the diet.
Good blood circulation can also help prevent premature aging and promote faster healing of injuries.
Another 2012 study indexed in the journal Therapeutic Advances in Chronic Disease suggests that the polyphenols present in balsamic vinegar can also help with blood circulation.
However, more studies are still needed to confirm this fact.
9. Wound care
Balsamic vinegar has been used for many years to treat wounds. The antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties of this vinegar are believed to help treat skin wounds.
However, such properties have not yet been well studied.
10. Better digestion
In 2017, research published in the scientific journal Food Chemistry analyzed the composition and properties of various types of vinegar.
It was found that acetic acid – the active ingredient in balsamic vinegar – contains strains of probiotic bacteria.
The presence of these probiotics promotes healthy digestion and improves intestinal health.
Such bacteria also contribute to the health of the intestinal flora and to making the immune system stronger.
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