Millions of individuals throughout the world suffer from the chronic disease of diabetes. High blood sugar levels in diabetes patients can cause major health issues like heart disease, nerve damage, and kidney failure. Although there is no known cure for diabetes, there are several strategies to manage the disease and maintain healthy blood sugar levels. The use of apple cider vinegar is one such technique that has become more and more popular in recent years.
A form of vinegar prepared from fermented apples is called apple cider vinegar. Apples are crushed to make the juice, which is then allowed to ferment with the assistance of bacteria and yeast. Acetic acid, the active component in apple cider vinegar that is responsible for many of its health benefits, is produced during the fermentation process.
Apple cider vinegar has been found in several trials to assist diabetics control their blood sugar levels. According to a research that appeared in the Journal of Diabetes Research, type 2 diabetic individuals’ postprandial glucose levels—the amount of sugar in the blood after a meal—were lowered when they drank apple cider vinegar before meals. Another study published in the Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism found that apple cider vinegar improved insulin sensitivity in people with type 2 diabetes.
It is thought that the acetic acid in apple cider vinegar may slow down the digestion of carbohydrates, which might result in a slower and more regulated release of glucose into the circulation. The precise process through which apple cider vinegar affects blood sugar is not entirely known. ACV may also improve insulin sensitivity, enabling the body to control blood sugar levels more effectively.
While evidence suggests that apple cider vinegar may aid diabetics, it is crucial to use it properly to prevent any potential side effects. Since it is so acidic, apple cider vinegar can harm the throat and digestive system if drunk in excessive quantities or without the correct dilution.
Drinking one to two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar with a glass of water before a meal is the most typical method of using the vinegar to manage blood sugar levels. Never take apple cider vinegar undiluted or in high doses since this might have detrimental effects on your health.
In this Arizona research from 2004, individuals with type 2 diabetes received 20 grams (or around 1.5 teaspoons) of ACV along with meals heavy in carbohydrates.
Researchers came to the conclusion that drinking vinegar with meals heavy in carbohydrates reduced blood sugar levels after meals through improving a patient’s sensitivity to insulin.
While drinking 2 tablespoons of ACV after a meal did show a small drop in post-meal blood sugar levels, this 2018 Singapore research of individuals with type 1 and type 2 diabetes showed that the effects were not statistically significant.
The fact that blood sugar levels were somewhat lower implies that it may be able to assist, but it is unlikely to be able to completely replace diabetic drugs or make up for poor lifestyle choices.
ACV contains antibacterial characteristics that can help prevent acne and other skin infections, which enhances the health of the skin. By correcting the pH level, it can also aid in enhancing the skin’s overall look.