Apple cider vinegar has been used for centuries as a remedy for a wide variety of ailments, ranging from mild maladies, such as acne and heartburn, to serious conditions, such as diabetes and high blood pressure. While several of these uses have some scientific support, many other claimed health benefits of apple cider vinegar tablets have either not been proven or have been discredited. Using this supplement for health reasons should be done only with the advice and approval of a qualified medical professional.
Diabetes
Medical research has shown that apple cider vinegar may help lower blood glucose levels. A study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition states that vinegar supplementation lowers glucose and insulin responses after a meal of white bread. This study evaluated the effects of vinegar supplementation at several dosage levels, with results showing higher doses more effective in reducing glucose and insulin responses.
Another study, done by Carol S. Johnston, PhD, Cindy M. Kim, MS and Amanda J. Buller, MS, at Arizona State University shows that apple cider vinegar improves insulin sensitivity to a high carbohydrate meal in individuals with insulin resistance or type 2 Diabetes.
However, while these results are promising, both of these studies were quite small, one with only 11 participants and the other with 29. More research is necessary to provide conclusive proof that apple cider vinegar is beneficial to diabetes sufferers.
High Blood Pressure
There is some scientific evidence that apple cider vinegar may be helpful in controlling blood pressure. According to a study done in Japan, acetic acid and vinegar given to hypertensive rats significantly reduced blood pressure. However, these results have yet to be proven in studies that involve human subjects.
Cholesterol
Another Japanese study, also done on rats, acetic acid, the main component in vinegar, was shown to lower levels of HDL cholesterol. The relationship between apple cider vinegar and lower cholesterol has not been studied in humans.
Obesity
Apple cider vinegar has long been touted as a diet aid. Scientific evidence has emerged in recent years that may lend substance to those claims. In a study published in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry, mice fed a high fat diet and supplemented with acetic acid developed an average of 10 percent less body fat than those fed the same high fat diet without acetic acid. While this study does show some promise, more research will must be done to determine whether apple cider vinegar tablets or liquid will be beneficial for weight control in humans.
References
- American Diabetes Association: Diabetes Care
- PubMed.gov: Antihypertensive Effects of Acetic Acid and Vinegar on Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats
- European Journal of Clinical Nutrition: Vinegar Supplementation Lowers Glucose and Insulin Responses and Increases Satiety After a Bread Meal in Healthy Subjects
- Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry: Acetic Acid Upregulates the Expression of Genes for Fatty Acid Oxidation Enzymes in Liver To Suppress Body Fat Accumulation
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