Because of its flexibility as an ingredient in anything from salad dressings to sauces and stews, apple cider vinegar has long been a pantry staple. This vinegar, created from fermented apple juice, has recently developed a reputation for its medicinal benefits.
The tart-tasting beverage has been advertised as a means of expediting weight loss, decreasing blood sugar and cholesterol levels, and increasing energy. Which of the claims is supported by science? Fortune commissioned two nutritional experts to investigate the research surrounding the possible advantages of apple cider vinegar.
Apple cider vinegar’s health advantages:
Apple cider vinegar does have some health benefits, which are mostly attributable to its high acetic acid concentration. “Acetic acid is a really important metabolite in our bodies, and the only dietary source of acetic acid is vinegar,” says Carol Johnston, Ph.D., professor of nutrition and associate dean in Arizona State University’s College of Health Solutions.
However, apple cider vinegar does not bear up to scientific scrutiny as a cure-all. “We don’t have evidence to back up a lot of the claims,” Johnston admits. She should know, having studied vinegar—not just apple cider vinegar—for decades.
Other possible applications are intriguing, although research is still in its early stages. Because of its impact on brain metabolism, vinegar, for example, may have a future function in treating depression. It’s also high in polyphenols, which are plant-based antioxidants with anti-inflammatory qualities.
Johnston sees the opportunity. “I think there’s going to be a lot more that we’re going to learn from vinegar in the future,” she said.
She also mentions that the vinegar does not have to be apple cider vinegar. Any vinegar with at least 5% acetic acid should have the same benefits, including red wine and balsamic vinegar.
Blood sugar and apple cider vinegar:
According to Johnston, the most “robust” evidence for apple cider vinegar’s effects on blood sugar is that it lowers fasting blood sugar and HbA1c (a three-month average of blood sugar levels). It also reduced their overall cholesterol.
How might apple cider vinegar help with blood sugar control? Three mechanisms are most likely at work. One method is to delay the transport of glucose (sugar) into the bloodstream by slowing stomach emptying after a meal. The second method is to prevent starch from being broken down into glucose. The third method is to increase the amount of glucose that muscle cells take in.
Is vinegar beneficial?
Vinegar is a great source of:
Magnesium Potassium
Calcium and phosphorus
Some vinegars are also good sources of antioxidants. The more antioxidants that remain in the liquid, the darker the vinegar. Darker vinegars are often less refined than lighter vinegars, with the liquid’s beneficial ingredients influencing taste and color.
Conclusion:
For the time being, the best-researched health effect of apple cider vinegar is blood sugar reduction. Vinegar is a valuable addition to the medical cabinet. It has, after all, been used in medicine since Hippocrates employed it to cure wounds. “Anything that has been in the medicinal world for 2,000 years has to have some legitimacy.”
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