Healthy Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe | The Gracious Pantry (2024)

FAQs

Are balsamic vinaigrettes healthy? ›

Takeaway. Balsamic vinegar is a safe food additive that contains no fat and very little natural sugar. It's been proven effective to lower cholesterol and stabilize blood pressure. Some research suggests it can also work as an appetite suppressant, and it contains strains of probiotic bacteria.

Last but not least, consuming balsamic vinegar can have an anti-inflammatory effect as well. Long-term, high levels of inflammation can be extremely detrimental to your health, and research shows inflammation plays a role in whether you develop chronic conditions, diseases, and even cancer.

Balsamic vinegar is pure vinegar. Balsamic vinegar is dark brown in color and has a very robust, slightly sweet flavor. Balsamic vinaigrette is a mixture made with balsamic vinegar, olive oil, sugar, salt and/or other spices. It is typically used as a salad dressing but has other uses in the kitchen as well.

Is it OK to eat balsamic vinegar every day? Consuming balsamic vinegar daily in moderate amounts is generally safe and can even be part of a healthy diet. However, like any condiment, moderation is key. Balsamic vinegar's intense flavor means a little goes a long way, so avoid overusing it.

Improves digestion and gut health

The enzymes in balsamic vinegar help with digestion and absorption of nutrients, making this an excellent addition to any diet plan. Protein – Balsamic vinegar helps with protein digestion by breaking down the amino acids and making them more absorbable by your body.

Topping off your salad dishes, chicken marinades with a tasty Balsamic Vinegar should keep you full and off the kitchen for quite a while, therefore helping you a lot in your weight loss journey. Keep in mind that maintaining a caloric deficit is still an important part.

Apple Cider Vinegar Relieves Inflammation, Fights Bacteria.

Since vinegars, especially the widely used balsamic vinegar, contain a lot of histamine, relevant guides recommend apple cider vinegar as the only vinegar that is compatible with histamine intolerance .

Balsamic vinegar contains beneficial antioxidants, no fat, and very few calories. (You can read more about its health benefits here.) It packs a lot of flavor into a small amount, so it goes a long way on salads.

How long does homemade balsamic vinaigrette last? ›

Since this homemade dressing does not contain stabilizers and preservatives, you should only keep it refrigerated for about four to five days. The fresh garlic and dried herbs contain natural yeasts and molds that can cause spoilage.

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.

The ranch is hands down America's most beloved salad dressings. It is made from a number of ingredients such as buttermilk, mayonnaise, mustard, garlic, onion, chives, salt, and pepper.

Extra-virgin olive oil is one of the healthiest oils varieties, but it has a low smoke point; therefore, we recommend using it for raw food preparations (i.e. salad dressing) rather than cooking.

Low in Calories

Use 1 tablespoon or less when adding balsamic vinegar to salad dressings, sauces or even soups. A 1-tablespoon serving of balsamic vinegar has only 9 grams of sugar and 10 grams of carbohydrates.

Both types of vinegar provide minor sources of minerals, including healthful amounts of potassium. Balsamic provides 18mg of potassium per tablespoon, while apple cider only has 11mg. Balsamic's antioxidants also help lower LDL cholesterol, while apple cider works similarly to lower lower blood lipid levels.

Balsamic vinegar – It fills the dressing with bold, sweet, and tangy flavor. Extra-virgin olive oil – It gives the dressing body and richness.

Just like olive oil, studies have shown that balsamic vinegar is also diabetes-friendly with no sugar spikes — so yes, lower blood sugar levels. And it can actually help you with weight loss by making you feel fuller.