Apple cider vinegar has been associated with improving health conditions such as acne, allergies, high cholesterol and heartburn. Its main component is acetic acid, which is responsible for most of the effects of apple cider vinegar on the body. Consult your health care provider before consuming apple cider vinegar, particularly if you're taking medication.
Insulin Sensitivity
Insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes are health conditions characterized by elevated blood sugar levels, primarily due to the body's inability to utilize the hormone insulin efficiently. Increasing insulin sensitivity, or the body's response to insulin effects, helps boost glucose uptake by cells, thereby lowering blood sugar levels. Scientists at Arizona State University reported in the January 2004 issue of "Diabetes Care" that subjects with insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes taking 20 g of apple cider vinegar before a test meal experienced increases in insulin sensitivity compared with those who had a placebo.
Satiety
Apple cider vinegar might boost satiety or fullness, according to a study conducted by researchers at Lund University in Sweden. They discovered that healthy subjects consuming vinegar with different amounts of acetic acid on white bread experienced greater feelings of satiety compared with those who had white bread without vinegar. The findings were published in the September 2005 issue of the "European Journal of Clinical Nutrition."
Cholesterol
High cholesterol and triglycerides are both risk factors for heart disease. Scientists at Mizkan Group Corporation in Japan discovered that rats consuming a cholesterol-rich diet with acetic acid for 19 days experienced decreases in cholesterol and triglycerides compared with rats adhering to the same diet without acetic acid, according to research published in the May 2006 issue of "British Journal of Nutrition." Further research on humans is necessary.
Blood Pressure
High blood pressure, or hypertension, impairs blood vessel function, which can block proper nutrient flow to organs. Over time, this can lead to organ damage and increase your risk for disease. Researchers from Mitsukan Group Corporation discovered that hypertensive rats consuming acetic acid experienced decreases in blood pressure. The findings were published in the December 2001 issue of "Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry."
References
- "Diabetes Care"; Vinegar Improves Insulin Sensitivity to a High-Carbohydrate Meal in Subjects With Insulin Resistance or Type 2 Diabetes; C.S. Johnson et al.; January 2004
- "European Journal of Clinical Nutrition"; Vinegar Supplementation Lowers Glucose and Insulin Responses and Increases Satiety After a Bread Meal in Healthy Subjects; E. Ostman et al.; September 2005
- "British Journal of Nutritiion"; Dietary Acetic Acid Reduces Serum Cholesterol and Triacylglycerols in Rats Fe a Cholesterol Rich Diet; T. Fushimi ett al.; May 2006
- "Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry"; Antihypertensive Effects of Acetic Acid and Vinegar on Spotaneously Hypertensive Rats; S. Kondo et al.; December 2001
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