The usage of the vinegar or “sour vine” is usually connected to the ancient Babylonians (5,000 B.C). Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine used the apple cider vinegar (ACV) or cider vinegar for many medicine purposes such as treating wounds and as a tonic for a persistent cough. Many studies show that apple cider vinegar has a beneficial effect when it comes to improving the blood sugar regulation as well as speeding up the weight loss.
In order to produce cider vinegar, the fermentation process goes in two series. First, yeast and bacteria break down the sugar into alcohol. Secondly, acetobacterium cause the oxidation of alcohol into acetic acid, over a slow and lengthy process.
The acetic acid distinguishes apple acid vinegar by giving it a sour and bitter taste and by leaving a cloudy substance (the mother) in the bottom of the glass. The mother is actually the fermenting portion of the apple and it contains a large amount of enzymes. Raw, unpasteurized ACV with the mother intact is the best one to buy.
Blood sugar control
The most common way of including the cider vinegar in a dietary dose is to use it as a salad dressing. Also, before consuming a high caloric meal such as beef (requiring a longer period for digestion), you can take a small shot glass of the tonic. There is a Japanese study, made in 2003 which found that the glycemix index was reduced by 30% when the change of a pickled cucumber was made for a fresh one.
According to some researchers, the cider vinegar plays a significant role in regulating sugar levels in type 2 diabetics due to its antiglycemic characteristics. Possibly, the main component of the vinegar acting as an antiglycemic agent, blocks the pathway of the metformin, the drug used by diabetic patients. The metformin has many side effects such as nausea, drowsiness, diarrhea and many others. Moreover, the metformin is connected to liver disease and heart issues.
Post prandial glycemia is a spike in an individual`s blood glucose levels following meals. Several studies show that if you consume vinegar with a meal the blood glucose sensitivity will improve. In 2007, the Diabetes Journal published a study which assessed the effects of vinegar on hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetic, a phenomenon known as “dawn phenomenon”.
There was a reduction in fasting glucose levels of 4-6 % when individuals received only 2 tablespoons of apple cider before meal. A 3-6 % fasting glucose reduction was noted when some individuals received medical treatment.
There is yet another study which showed that women, who have morning meal containing vinegar, have a 55% reduction in the blood glucose.
Benefits regarding the weight loss
Many factors promote weigh loss in individuals who consume cider vinegar on daily basis (one or two tablespoons). The antiglycemic effect may be linked to the repression of carbohydrate synthesis by inhibiting enzymes. Those enzymes stimulate the blood concentration and thus regulate the appetite or satiety.
The lipogenesis and fatty acid synthesis are responsible for improving cholestorel levels. The acetic acid protects the liver by increasing the tolerance of these two acids. The synergistic nature of increased blood flow and insulin activity relays into increased energy.
The beneficial effects of apple cider vinegar in weight loss are noted in 155 Japanese individuals. The collected data showed a decrease in BMI, visceral fat, serum triglyceride and many others. Many factors promote detoxification and overall health of the liver and the weight loss may be connected to the stimulation of fecal bile acid when consuming cider vinegar.
