White vinegar as well as most other types of vinegar has been used in health applications for centuries. Despite a considerable lack of scientific evidence to back any of these assertions, white vinegar is still supposed to be able to cure acne and IBS and reduce high blood pressure. It's even supposed to help you lose weight, but again, there is no medical evidence to verify this.
About White Vinegar
White vinegar contains many ingredients, but one of its most active is acetic acid. This is the ingredient that is supposed to encourage weight loss, despite the lack of medical evidence, according to "Folk Medicine" by D. C. Jarvis, M.D. This book is the source of the notion of a "vinegar diet," which consists of nothing more than consuming 1 tbsp. of vinegar before meals. It is really more of a supplement than a diet.
Regulated Blood Glucose
Though white vinegar will not encourage weight loss, it may aid in regulating blood glucose. According to a study published in the "European Journal of Clinical Nutrition," the acetic acid in vinegar kept blood glucose at a more stable level after meals in comparison to control subjects. This indicates a possibility of vinegar acting as an appetite suppressant.
Increased Satiety and Reduced Fat Accumulation
Another study, this time published in the "Journal of the American College of Nutrition," showed the acetic acid in vinegar to cause participants to feel fuller after meals. Likewise, participants gained less weight than those who were not given vinegar over the four-week course of the study. Participants did lose an average of 2 pounds, but this was not due to an increase in metabolism; rather, it is thought that the vinegar prevented them from accumulating additional fat.
Ineffective Diet
Even though these studies are promising in showing vinegar as playing a role in regulating blood glucose, increasing satiety and preventing fat accumulation, there is no evidence vinegar or the acetic acid it contains can help you to burn calories and fat. According to Health Services at Columbia, vinegar acts like a diuretic and may result in a loss of water weight. Other than that, it's entirely ineffective as a diet method.
References
- "Folk Medicine"; D.C. Jarvis, MD; 1953
- 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.; 2005
- Journal of the American College of Nutrition: Strategies for Healthy Weight Loss: From Vitamin C to the Glycemic Response; C. Johnston, Ph.D.; 2005
- Health Services at Columbia; Go Ask Alice! Apple Cider Vinegar; August 2010
Member Comments