Cinnamon and vinegar both appear to reduce blood sugar in people with diabetes, which has increased interest in these two substances as diet aids. However, while high blood sugar can lead to excess weight gain, the converse isn't true; cinnamon and vinegar can't help you lose weight.
Blood Sugar
You need sugar in your blood to help provide for the nutritional needs of your cells. Your body regulates blood sugar carefully under ordinary circumstances, though diabetes is characterized by an inability to control blood sugar. If your blood sugar gets too high, your body will convert some of the sugar to fat, which means that high blood sugar or a rapid rise in blood sugar is associated with increase in body fat storage.
Cinnamon
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center's index on alternative and complementary medicine, there's some scientific evidence to suggest that cinnamon, eaten in combination with meals, can help to reduce the extent to which blood sugar goes up after eating in diabetic subjects. These results, while interesting, can't necessarily be extrapolated to non-diabetics, however. Further, while it's a good thing to try to keep you blood sugar from going too high, it won't help you lose weight.
Vinegar
Like cinnamon, vinegar has some promise as a substance that can help keep the blood sugar of diabetics under better control, according to Dr. Carol Johnston in the book "Complementary and Alternative Therapies and the Aging Population." Once again, however, this research can't be extrapolated to non-diabetics, nor is there any evidence to suggest that vinegar can help you lose weight. There are also a number of side effects, including risk of esophageal burns, associated with using vinegar in quantities greater than those you'd use to dress a salad.
General Guidelines
In general, while it's tempting to consume a food or combination of foods that you've heard will help you lose weight quickly or effectively, no such combination has yet been supported by scientific research. The best way to lose weight -- and keep it off -- is to take the slow and steady approach; consume a healthy, nutritious diet, and burn more calories through increased physical activity and exercise. Your doctor can help you determine how many calories are appropriate for your needs.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Diabetes
- "Complementary and Alternative Therapies and the Aging Population"; Carol Johnston, et al.; 2009
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