My older daughter gave me a murky bottle of orangey liquid and instructed that I have one teaspoon every day for two weeks.
TBH, I thought I’d be dead long before the two weeks was up! It was just awful tasting.
You DO get used to it after a while……
So, why is this mysterious liquid the leading word-of-mouth health remedies in the world?
The promises are amazing: better blood sugar control, improved hart and immune health, reduced cancer risk, and weight loss to name a few.
So, can ACV really help us achieve healthy status longer?
According to the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, acetic acid (what ACV is made of) might really help with blood sugar control and improve certain blood lipids. Acetic acid was found to lower concentrations of blood triglycerides among those who were overweight or obese. Bottom line, the BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies journal found that taking ACV for longer than 2 months will improve blood sugar management and blood cholesterol levels.
ACV helps to slow the release of blood sugar into the bloodstream and the subsequent rise in hunger-reducing hormones could result in feelings of “fullness”, which facilitates weight loss in the long run.
Sounds pretty great, right?
Keep in mind we don’t have adequate studies or research on those who have impaired insulin sensitivity or blood sugar control, including healthy runners. Dr. Kimball also shares that its unclear how this type of vinegar differs from the use of other, more standard vinegars.
My take away on this is – try it and see if you feel fuller longer or, maybe you love the taste and use it in salad dressings or drink it before meals. Typical use is to dilute 1 ounce of ACV with 4 ounces of water, herbal tea or other sugar-free drinks. Be mindful of your tooth enamel and monitor your gut to make sure you aren’t have gastrointestinal issues.
Research shows some promise, particularly with blood sugar management. But, evidence supporting some of the other benefits is still not there yet.
Do your research and chat with your medical professional before embarking on a new health supplement regimen.
Keep Smiling – and Stay Healthy!