Health Nugget—Apple Cider Vinegar

I heard about a 2018 study on the health benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar and thought I would share it with you.

Let’s start with the scary facts about diabetes.

According to the CDC’s website, 12% of all Americans have diabetes and 38% of Americans have Prediabetes. And according to the American Diabetes Association, “One report in JAMA Pediatrics found that nearly one in three adolescents and teens has prediabetes and the rate among 12 to 19 year-olds more than doubled between 1999–2002 and 2015–2018, jumping from 12 percent to 28 percent.” We don’t get this way overnight. Rather, it is a consistent eating pattern and lack of movement that causes Type 2 Diabetes.

And diabetes isn’t just a problem in and of itself, but it is a gateway to many other diseases.

So step number one in preventing yourself from joining that group is getting your bloodwork regularly. (Even if you are in the group you can reverse diabetes if you commit to it.)

Step number two is regulating your diet. You simply can’t exercise or hack your way out of a bad diet.

If you do those two things, you can start the hacks to avoid Type 2 Diabetes or even reverse it. I have discussed one hack in avoiding diabetes or reversing it—walking regularly after meals.

But another one that has shown promising results is having a tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar every day.

A 2018 8-week study found that consuming 20 ml (a little more than 1 tablespoon) a day helped reduce fasting glucose (10 to 12% reduction), Hemoglobin A1C (4 to 6% reduction), and insulin (20-25%). Everyone in both the test group and control group had diabetes. The ACV participants also found that regular use of Apple Cider Vinegar reduced their overall cholesterol and triglycerides.

There was also a 2009 12-week double-blind trial in Japan that found similar results. That study also showed that regular consumption of Apple Cider Vinegar helped with losing weight.

There are potential side effects. If you are taking any medication you must consult your doctor before taking it! The vinegar interacts negatively with some drugs.

It can also break down your tooth enamel (my sister drinks it through a straw) or irritate your esophagus. Here is a good article explaining the many benefits and the potential side effects.

I started taking it and hope to see results. I now understand how it helps with weight loss since it definitely suppresses your appetite! And my wife likes adding it to salad dressings (not sure if it has the same benefits but I like to think so ;).

I hoped you enjoyed this health nugget. If so, I may post some more in the future; just let me know.