If you’re someone who loves bread and pasta, like I do, have no fear because it turns out there is a way to have your cake and eat it too when it comes to starch-based meals and it seems like the Italians have already figured it all out…
Current studies reveal that vinegar is so much more than a mere liquid to dip your bread into, so after this, you may wanna dip into it some more!
Eat in Peace
Complex carbohydrates do have their fair share of a bad reputation – and rightfully so. These starches are known to cause blood sugar to quickly spike and this can be particularly damaging to your internal organs. Thankfully, vinegar offers some solution to this problem as recent studies have shown that the acetic acid in vinegar can actually delay the “gastric emptying rates” in the stomach; meaning slowing digestion and improving blood sugar levels.
And this awesome effect particularly applies to the dissacharides found in starches, meaning vinegar is especially helpful to consume when you’re eating foods like pasta and bread.
Feel Satisfied
A lot of the times when you’re really hungry or finally eating after a long period of time, it’s very easy to overeat without being conscious of it. Research shows that incorporating just a little bit of vinegar (apple cider, balsamic etc) into your diet can help you feel fuller sooner!
A study published in 2005 proved just this when comparing subjects who consumed their bagel breakfasts with vinegar, to those who didn’t. The subjects who regularly consumed vinegar with their bagels ended up consuming 200 calories less compared to their non-vinegar eating counterparts, by the end of the day.
… Balsamic bagel & cream cheese anyone?
Consume Quality
To reap all the benefits that vinegar has to offer, it is extremely beneficial to consume the best quality made available. All kinds of vinegar are fermented and the best ones are unpasteurized giving you an added bonus of live microorganisms crucial in maintaining a healthy gut.
So, whether it’s raw apple cider vinegar “with the mother” or authentic balsamic vinegar originating from Modena Italy, consuming the best products will naturally bring you the purest results.
Organic Opulence’s Pick
When it comes to quality apple cider vinegar, you can never go wrong with my favorite Bragg’s Raw Apple Cider Vinegar
When choosing a quality balsamic vinegar, it is important to note that the majority sold in stores are a cheap imitation made with wine vinegar and added coloring. And, while there is a wide range of balsamic based on age and pricing, the key factor in identifying authentic balsamic is by the labels. If your balsamic vinegar contains a D.O.P “Denominazione di Origine Protetta” or I.G.P stamp “Indicazione geografica protetta” and one ingredient (grape must), you’ve got the winner that contains natural antioxidants key in promoting a strong immune system.
My favorite is pure Balsamic Vinegar from MiaBella which contains only one ingredient: Grape Must.
For more information regarding the topics discussed in this article, feel free to visit the following resources:
Microbial diversity and their roles in the vinegar fermentation process.
Functional properties of vinegar.
Comparison of traditional and commercial vinegars based on metabolite profiling and antioxidant activity.
The role of acetic acid on glucose uptake and blood flow rates in the skeletal muscle in humans with impaired glucose tolerance.
Vinegar Consumption Increases Insulin-Stimulated Glucose Uptake by the Forearm Muscle in Humans with Type 2 Diabetes.
Vinegar supplementation lowers glucose and insulin responses and increases satiety after a bread meal in healthy subjects.
Everything You Need to Know About Balsamic Vinegar
