The medical journal, The Clinical Advisor, recently published an article about the benefits of vinegar written by Sherril Sego, MS, FNP. What interested me were two studies that showed the beneficial effects from vinegar on reducing total caloric intact by up to 16% and lowering blood sugar levels in diabetics, especially several hours after ingesting a high carbohydrate meal.

The first study involved 29 known people with diabetes or insulin resistance. The subjects drank a mixture of vinegar, water and saccharine then ate a meal high in carbohydrates (87 grams). Several hours later, their blood sugar levels were tested. In the insulin-resistant group, 64% had a reduction in their blood sugar levels compared to placebo, while among diabetics, 19% had a reduction in their blood sugar levels. The results were published in Diabetes Care (2004;27:281-282).

The other interesting study cited and published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association (2005;105:1939-1942) showed that subjects who drank a vinegar mixture in the morning, had lower blood sugars levels an hour later and indeed, tended to consume 11-16% fewer calories during the day, presumably because the lower insulin levels tended to increase the effects of fullness that lasted several hours.

For those interested, the mixture consisted of 1 tablespoon of vinegar in a glass of water or juice in the morning. People with GI problems, or who take certain medications such as insulin, digoxin or potassium-sparing diuretics or who have renal impairment, need to speak with their providers before starting this.