Is Apple Cider Vinegar Safe For Everyone
It is important to note that as ACV is a traditional remedy and not a medicine, there are no official guidelines for how to take it. There is also limited data available for the effects of long-term use or consumption of large quantities of ACV.
The potential lowering of blood sugars could be problematic for diabetics, including those who use insulin, and it may reduce potassium levels in the body. For the same reason, ACV is best avoided if you are taking any diuretic medication, also known as water pills.
For those suffering with gastroparesis or delayed gastric emptying, where the movement of food between the stomach and small intestine is slowed, ACV may make the symptoms worse and should be avoided.
There is also a concern that acidic drinks, such as ACV, may cause damage to tooth enamel. As a precaution, it is a good idea to dilute the vinegar appropriately, never consume it neat, and dont sip throughout the day. It may also help to rinse the mouth with fresh water after consuming ACV. Check with your dentist if you are concerned.
If youre on prescription medication, have a relevant medical condition or have concerns speak to your GP for guidance.
This article was last reviewed on 16 August 2021 by Kerry Torrens.
Cinnamon And Apple Cider Vinegar Lowered Blood Sugar Triglycerides And Cholesterol
Diabetes has become extremely prevalent, with approximately 9 percent of the population affected. Controlling blood sugar can be challenging. Although many medications may be prescribed to help, sometimes simple remedies such as cinnamon and apple cider vinegar make a difference.
Q. I have type 2 diabetes. Last summer my triglycerides were dangerously high , my cholesterol was 288, and my HbA1C was 8.2. I was taking and Trilipix, but they were not working.
I decided to try taking 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon mixed with 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar and 1 teaspoon of honey every day. My triglycerides are now down to normal-121! My cholesterol has dropped to 260 and my HbA1C is good at 6.5. So this is really helping.
Symptoms Of High Blood Sugar
Symptoms of hyperglycemia may vary depending on the exact cause. But typically, high blood sugar presents with: 1
- Polyuria
- Headache
- Fatigue
Extended episodes of hyperglycemia can lead to ketoacidosis, which occurs when the body begins to break down fats too quickly. This forces the liver to accelerate how quickly it turns fat into ketones, which makes the blood acidic and causes a fruity odor, shortness of breath, nausea, and vomiting. Some individuals may go into diabetic ketoacidosis, a life-threatening form of ketoacidosis that can lead to coma and death. 1
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Does Apple Cider Vinegar Truly Have Health Benefits
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If you havent heard or read on social media or in health-related articles about the benefits of apple cider vinegar, you might be accused of being behind the times.
A Cure-All?
Apple cider vinegar, or ACV as people refer to it often adding a hashtag has drawn much attention over the years for its purportedly endless health benefits. The benefits cited include weight loss, teeth whitening, acne treatment and diabetes management. But is #ACV the cure-all its alleged to be?
While traditional media outlets and bloggers continue to tout the health benefits of apple cider vinegar, little science backs up most of these claims. In fact, people who use apple cider vinegar as prescribed by trending conversations may be doing themselves more harm than good.
Natacha Borrajo, a registered dietitian with Baptist Health Primary Care, says the much-touted health benefits have yet to be proven by true scientific research.
Theres really very little scientific evidence that apple cider vinegar does all that it has been credited with over the past decade or so, Ms. Borrajo said. While the stories we hear about dandruff control and improved cardiovascular health from apple cider vinegar are interesting, we simply havent studied these claims enough to start recommending ACV as a daily supplement.
Apple Cider Vinegar and Diabetes
ACV and Weight Loss
Potential Dangers of Apple Cider Vinegar
ACV and Food
Does Apple Cider Vinegar Lower Blood Pressure
Some people think that it is a popular myth saying that ACV regulates blood pressure. On the other hand, others believe that Apple Cider Vinegar may play a small role in lowering blood pressure but it significantly achieves that with the other health benefits. Does Apple Cider Vinegar lower blood pressure?
Reading this 2006 study, you will learn that rats who were fed doses of vinegar and acetic acid had a low blood pressure compared to the others.
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How To Use Apple Cider Vinegar To Lower A1c
If you want to use apple cider vinegar to lower A1C and control your blood sugar, its often best to go straight to the source. Look for organic, raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar. Its higher in good bacteria. You can add around one teaspoon of vinegar into water, but remember there is no quick fix for something like type 2 diabetes. Making overall healthy lifestyle choices is important as well.
High Blood Sugar And Diabetes
High blood sugar is closely linked as both a cause and effect of diabetes mellitus, commonly referred to as just diabetes.
Diabetes is a condition wherein the body does not produce insulin , or where it does not appropriately respond to insulin . Prolonged and recurrent high blood glucose can lead to a diagnosis of diabetes, a condition that can lead to organ damage in the eyes, kidneys, nerves, and cardiovascular system. 12
There are three main types of diabetes: 2
- Diabetes type 1, which is the result of the bodys autoimmune process destroying insulin-producing cells in the pancreas
- Diabetes type 2, which commonly presents with insulin resistance and insulin deficiency, and is caused or influenced by age, genetics, diet, exercise, and smoking
- Gestational diabetes, or the development of glucose intolerance during pregnancy
Diabetes may also be caused or influenced by other factors, as well, such as surgery, malnutrition, corticosteroid use, or infection. 2
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Apple Cider Vinegar Dosage And Use
Because apple cider vinegar is an unproven treatment, there are no official recommendations on how to use it. Some people take 30 grams or more a day of apple cider vinegar mixed in a cup of water or juice. Tablets with 285 milligrams of dehydrated apple cider vinegar are also available.
To get health benefits for certain conditions, try these amounts:
- 2-4 tablespoons mixed into water just before a meal to help control blood sugar
- 1 tablespoon mixed into water right after dinner to help regulate your period if you have PCOS.
- 1-2 tablespoons a day in water or as a salad dressing to help with weight loss.
Apple cider vinegar is itself sold by itself to use as a regular food product.
C Improved Blood Sugar Levels
Lowering blood sugar levels is a struggle experienced by every person with diabetes. After every meal, blood sugar level rises which might trigger some diabetes symptoms such as fatigue, blurry vision, neuropathyetc. Nowadays, many people use ACV to adjust and regulate blood sugar levels to avoid these symptoms, especially after eating.
A 1995 study proved that consuming a small dose of ACV, even as just a salad dressing is sufficient in reducing glycemic response after eating.
There are many other studies done on this particular subject looking into the impact of ACV which showed positive results on improving blood glucose level.
According to these studies, it is suggested that patients with diabetes can have lower blood sugar throughout the day if they consume two tablespoons of vinegar in the morning.
The American Diabetes Association went further ahead by pointing out that Apple Cider Vinegar not only regulates blood glucose levels but also plays a crucial role in improving insulin sensitivity.
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Potential Risks Of Apple Cider Vinegar Pills
You should consult with your doctor before taking apple cider vinegar pills or any other supplement. Consider the following before adding apple cider vinegar pills to your regimen:
Nausea
Ingestion of vinegar, including apple cider vinegar, may stimulate nausea in people with sensitive stomachs. If you experience nausea as a result of taking apple cider vinegars, speak to your doctor about finding an alternative.
Pregnancy Concerns
The effects of apple cider vinegar pills on someone who is pregnant or breast-feeding are inconclusive. If youre pregnant or breastfeeding a baby, it is best to look for an alternative.
Medication Interference
Avoid apple cider vinegar pills if youre already taking a diuretic as their actions may be compounded. Since apple cider vinegar has natural diuretic properties, it may interfere with the action of lithium and similar medications.
Apple cider vinegar pills should also be avoided if youre taking other medications that reduce potassium in the body, like Digoxin and Insulin.
How To Prepare The Drink
To prepare this sugar detox drink, add about 8 oz of filtered water to a glass followed by 1 Tbsp of Apple Cider Vinegar, 1/2 tsp L-Glutamine Powder, and I like to add an optional sweetener to make the taste more tolerable. Today, Im using a low carb Monk Fruit sweetener, but you can also use raw honey, stevia, etc. Stir to combine all of the ingredients.
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Five Ways To Incorporate Vinegar Into Your Meals
Have a vinegar-based salad dressing before you eat. This may be especially helpful if youre planning on having a carbohydrate-rich meal. One study showed that when people consumed 1 ounce of white vinegar with a meal of bread containing 50 grams of carbohydrates, it lowered post-meal glucose spikes and insulin levels.
Another study of healthy people found that eating 100 grams of sliced lettuce dressed with olive oil and vinegar before consuming 50g of white bread carbs experienced significantly lower blood sugar compared to those who ate the same amount of salad dressed with olive oil but no vinegar.
Interestingly, the study authors also compared the vinegar group to a second vinegar group in which they added sodium bicarbonate to the vinegar to neutralize its pH. The scientists found that the neutralized vinegar did not affect blood sugar, suggesting that vinegars acidic nature plays a crucial role in its ability to modulate blood sugar.
Drizzle vinegar over steamed or roasted veggies. It turns out even a small amount of vinegar consumed with meals can help control blood sugar, too. One study found consuming two teaspoons of vinegar with carbs may reduce post-meal blood glucose levels as much as 20 percent. Bonus: the study also found that consuming vinegar with a high-carb meal also increases satiety.
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Apple Cider Vinegar May Improve Your Cholesterol Levels
While its far from proven, results from a small study suggested that taking ACV every day for 12 weeks along with going on a reduced-calorie diet lowered triglyceride and total cholesterol levels and led to improvements in healthy HDL-cholesterol levels. Though these results are promising, there are other, more extensively studied habits that can lead to better cholesterol levels. For example, the American Heart Association stresses the importance of a healthy diet thats rich in veggies, fruits, pulses, nuts, seeds, whole grains, fish, seafood and low-fat dairy products. They also suggest getting about 30 minutes of physical movement on most days. If you smoke, quitting is another proven way to help improve cholesterol levels.
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Apple Cider Vinegar Aids In The Prevention Of Diabetes
Apple cider vinegar has a lot of probiotics or healthy bacteria that play a crucial role in the process of digestion. Drinking apple cider vinegar helps in increasing the level of healthy bacteria in the digestive tract. It has been revealed by extensive medical research that the presence and flourish of healthy bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract is excellent for the prevention and cure of diabetes. It implies that the consumption of apple cider vinegar is useful for the prevention and treatment of high blood sugar levels.
Is Apple Cider Vinegar Safe For Weight Loss
Still, if youre on team ACV and want to try it, there are some side effects that you may want to consider
ACV can weaken tooth enamel. The acid in vinegar can erode tooth enamel. Weaker teeth can lead to dental problems down the line, including tooth decay. If you are going to have apple cider vinegar as the main ingredient and not, say, in a salad dressing, its best to dilute it with some water.
ACV can mess with potassium levels. In some people, regular consumption of ACV has lowered potassium levels. If youre already on a medication that can lower potassium, like some blood pressure medications, youll want to be cautious.
ACV can alter insulin levels. While ACV may be beneficial to diabetics, it may also alter insulin levels. You should be particularly careful with vinegars and speak to your healthcare provider before increasing your apple cider vinegar intake.
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Can Apple Cider Vinegar Help Lower Blood Sugar
It is claimed that apple cider vinegar may have many benefits for diabetes management. Research has shown that including apple cider vinegar in the diet may help lower blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity. It may also help people feel full for longer. For instance, a 2018 review reported that apple cider vinegar led to a small, significant reduction in HbA1c results after 8-12 weeks. Also, one study found that taking 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar before bed caused a 6% reduction in fasting blood sugar in people with poorly controlled diabetes.
It has been shown that apple cider vinegar might help treat obesity, which has been linked to type 2 diabetes. A study done in 2017, for example, found that mice that received a dose of vinegar had reduced inflammation, body weight, and fat distribution.
Acv Delays Gastric Emptying And Reduces Post
This 2007 study from Sweden focused on patients with type 1 diabetes and gastroparesis.
The results determined that consuming 2 tablespoons of ACV with meals reduced the rate at which the body empties digested food into the bloodstream.
For patients with gastroparesis, this is actually a disadvantage because they already struggle with significantly delayed and unpredictable digestion which makes it harder to time and dose insulin.
For patients without gastroparesis, however, this might be helpful. By reducing the rate of gastric emptying, it reduces the post-meal blood sugar spike.
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Trusted Apple Cider Vinegar Brands
First and foremost, choose ACV that contains the mother. The mother has all the good stuff. It means your ACVs been fermented, contains good-for-you bacteria , protein, and enzymes to aid in digestion.
For everyday tonics, marinades, etc. Bragg Organic Raw Unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar is one of the most popular brands of ACV on the market. Made from organic apple cider vinegar and water, Braggs vinegar is USDA-certified organic, non-GMO certified, and contains the mother. Kevala is another trusted ACV brand. This vinegar is USDA-certified organic, non-GMO verified, and free of additives. Its also a good bang for your buck. Given that its less expensive, this vinegar can be a great option for culinary use, cleaning, or beauty. Last but not least, Goli Nutrition. If youd rather take an ACV gummy than a shot, Goli Apple Cider Vinegar Gummies are one of the highest quality options.
Promotes A Balanced Weight
The health benefits of apple cider vinegar even include promoting a balanced weight by controlling cravings and reducing weight gain.
Study participants were instructed to drink ACV before bed each night for 30 days. The results showed that they were able to lose weight in a healthy way to help them find their balanced weight .
Similarly, another study showed that when apple cider vinegar was consumed daily for three months, participants saw a healthy reduction in weight as well as waist circumference .
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Acv Is Helpful For Diabetics
You can potentially reverse type 2 diabetes if you drop pounds. An apple cider vinegar weight loss plan can help you shed some pounds. Apple cider vinegar may be particularly useful for people with diabetes, Zuckerbrot says. This is because blood glucose control is part of diabetes management, and it can affect insulin sensitivity. But be careful if youre on meds for your condition. Since vinegar may reduce blood glucose levels after meals, those taking medications to reduce them, such as insulin, should carefully monitor their readings and response to prevent hypoglycemic episodes, Palinski-Wade adds. Here are some other detox foods that might work just as well as apple cider vinegar.
Why Is Apple Cider Vinegar Gaining Relevance Now
General apple cider vinegar benefits include the following:
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