It is common knowledge that persons with diabetes (type1 or type 2 diabetes) continually struggle with achieving daily normoglycemia (normal blood sugar levels) -some with even the most aggressive drug intervention. It is therefore not surprising that many turn to alternative medicine for assistance or adjunct therapy. One of these remedies is vinegar or acetic acid.
According to Hlebowicz and her colleagues, vinegar delayed gastric emptying in people with type 1 diabetes. The longer food stays in the stomach, the longer it is broken down into its nutritive components, glucose being the crucial nutrient in the case of people with diabetes.Their findings were published in the 2007 issue of Gastroenterogy.
In this study, 10 people with type 1 diabetes drank 200 ml apple cider vinegar with water after breakfast for one week, then for 2 weeks. Results showed that vinegar's effect on gastric emptying was statistically significant, meaning, vinegar has good potential in mediating lower blood glucose concentration among type 1 diabetics.
In another investigation conducted by Johnston and White, vinegar improved the insulin sensitivity of subjects with type 2 diabetes. In a randomized crossover control trial, 11 people with type 2 diabetes consumed 2 tablespoons apple cider, or water at bedtime with 1 ounce cheese (controls). Results showed that vinegar ingestion at bedtime favorably affected waking blood glucose levels. Authors of the study attribute this benefit to vinegar's ability to reduce starch digestion, and delay gastric emptying. Results of this study was published in the 2007 Issue of Diabetes Care.
Suggestions
- Incorporate vinegar with other ingredients such as fruits, vegetables, herbs, or nuts in salads, seviches (meat/seafood marinated in vinegar). It will enhance its palatability, making it easier to ingest the therapeutic amount of vinegar noted in the second study (2 tablespoons).
- Eat salads everyday or every other day. Vinegar will not only lower blood glucose levels, the vegetables, fruits (e.g. avocado or tomatoes), nuts, and fresh herbs will add valuable phytochemicals to the meal or diet, thereby increasing its antioxidant value.
- Restrict intake of foods processed with copious amounts of salt and vinegar such as pickles, sauerkraut, etc.. Their high salt content adversely affects many people with diabetes who may also have hypertension or high blood pressure.
References
- Hlebowicz J et al. "Effect of Apple Cider Vinegar on Delayed Gastric Emptying in People with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus" BMC Gastroenterology 20 Dec.2007;7:46
- Johnston CS and White AM. "Vinegar Ingestion at Bedtime Moderates Waking Glucose Concentrations in Adults with Well-Controlled Type 2 Diabetes." Diabetes Care 2007;2814-2815
