Vinegar has been relied upon and venerated as a home remedy and folk cure for centuries. Apple cider vinegar is especially beloved by practitioners of natural medicine and adherents of a raw food diet. Various powers have been ascribed to vinegar, from being an antiseptic to promoting and supporting weight loss. Drinking diluted vinegar or using vinegar in salad dressings might actually help you avoid the insulin spikes that occur after eating starchy or sugary foods.
Vinegar Facts
Several types of vinegar are available, and they all offer varying degrees of health benefits. All vinegars contain acetic acid, which plays a role in slowing your insulin response to starchy or sugary foods, according to studies reported on PubMed, the website of the National Center for Biotechnology Information. Raw apple cider vinegar also contains nutrients such as calcium and potassium.
Blood Sugar Facts
Your blood sugar, or blood glucose, levels rise and fall in response to everything you eat and drink. The effect that each food or beverage has on your blood sugar levels determines its glycemic index. Foods with a high glycemic index, which include refined starches and mass-produced snacks such as potato chips, cause an insulin response, followed by a drop in blood sugar that triggers hunger. Vinegar taken before, or with, starchy meals helps lessen the insulin response, meaning you feel full longer after a starchy meal.
Procedure
Mix 1 tbsp. vinegar, preferably raw apple cider vinegar, with at least 10 oz. of water. Stir in raw, organic honey to make it taste better, if you prefer. Drink this first thing in the morning and just before bed. Incorporate vinegar into your diet as a salad dressing and use flavored vinegar to replace salt as a seasoning.
Warning
Vinegar should never be consumed unless it is diluted with a liquid such as juice, water or tea because pure vinegar can burn your mouth and throat. It can also damage the enamel on your teeth, which does not regenerate. Vinegar is acidic and can upset your stomach if you are prone to too much stomach acid or heartburn. Drinking vinegar can support your efforts to control your blood sugar, but it is not a replacement for insulin. Consult your doctor before incorporating vinegar into your diet if you have blood sugar conditions such as hypoglycemia or diabetes.
