Interesting Facts About The Vinegar Diet

Although there are some aspects of a vinegar diet that are commonly known due to the vast history of vinegar and its medicinal values, there are some less known facts that have spurred a rash of studies in the past decade. Recent studies have linked vinegar, in various forms, to particular health related issues including diabetic support, relief from cancer symptoms, antimicrobial attributes and fat reduction. There are some opponents to these theories, but the studies are showing increased activity in cellular activity when vinegar has been ingested as part of a daily diet.

Oxidation

Even though vinegar contains acetic acid, it has been shown to promote alkaline production in the blood. Eating foods that promote acidification will decrease your body's ability to fight off infection, promote growth of cancer cells and accelerate bone loss. Accelerated fatty-acid oxidation is the result of cellular interaction with the acetic acid found in vinegar. Blood that oxygenated due to higher levels of alkaline will remove toxins faster as well increase the rate of caloric "burning," which is linked to weight loss.

Mineral Absorption

Acetic acid found in vinegar has been shown to increase your body's ability to dissolve minerals such as calcium and magnesium. Without your body's ability to metabolize minerals because of a low alkaline blood level, your body will automatically try to cull these resources from you bones and muscles to support your overall health. Bone loss or lower bone density found in the elderly has been attributed to an acid producing diet over a lifetime. Acetic acid helps to alleviate some of the symptoms of life-long poor dieting.

Lowers Glucose

A study completed at Arizona State University by Dr. Carol Johnston showed that the waking glycemic levels of 11 men and women, between the ages of 40 and 72, who have Type 2 diabetes was significantly reduced by ingesting 2 tbsp of vinegar after eating a complex carbohydrate cheese snack before bedtime. Postprandial glycemic levels were recorded upon waking and showed that the patients who had ingested the vinegar before bed had less blood glucose than those who had not.

Lowers Cholesterol

Apple cider vinegar contains a water-soluble fiber called Pectin, which has been shown to bind to cholesterol in the intestinal tract, preventing it from entering the bloodstream. Not only does Pectin bind to cholesterol in general, but it binds primarily to low-density lipoproteins, or LDLs, otherwise known as "bad cholesterol." Lowering your overall LDLs has been shown to increase heart and cardiovascular health, which in turn can be related to your overall health and longevity.

Decreased Appetite

A study published in the September 2005 issue of the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows that the introduction of pickled foods into your diet may make you feel fuller, or more sated after meals. The study consisted of feeding subjects either bread and water or bread and vinegar. The subjects that consumed the vinegar with their bread reported that they felt they had eaten more than they actually had. The study was then reversed to see if the bread and water subjects would have the same reaction. In every case, the subjects reported that they did indeed feel more sated after having ingested vinegar.