The Power of Vinegar

Researchers studying the effects of vinegar on people living with diabetes found that two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar (mixed with water and a non-caloric sweetener) reduced glucose and insulin response and helped to better control blood sugar when taken just before a high-carbohydrate meal (bagel and orange juice).

In fact, vinegar worked just as well as diabetes drugs, cutting the usual blood sugar surge in people with diabetes and those with insulin resistance (pre-diabetes) by 25 and 50 percent, respectively, and improving insulin sensitivity 19 and 34 percent. And, aside from its unpleasant taste, vinegar has no adverse effects and costs only $15 to $20 a year.

In a follow-up study, the lead researcher, Carol Johnston, PhD, instructed volunteers to take two tablespoons of vinegar before two of their daily meals for four weeks. During that time, they lost an average of two pounds, and some lost up to four (weight didn’t budge in the control group).

Dr. Johnston speculates that vinegar could have this affect on people living with diabetes because it may interfere with enzymes that break down carbohydrates, allowing them to pass through without being absorbed.