Apple Cider Vinegar For Diabetes: How To Use

Reviewed By Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and certified Personal Trainer Alexandra Dusenberry, MS, RDN
 by Ravi Teja Tadimalla
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Apple Cider Vinegar For Diabetes: How To Use

Diabetes is a chronic health condition and affects over 30 million adults in the US. The number of adults diagnosed with diabetes has doubled in the last two decades (1).

Some research shows that apple cider vinegar (ACV) could be a promising treatment for diabetes (2). Vinegar may promote carbohydrate metabolism, which could be crucial for diabetes management.

However, more research is warranted to understand the mechanism of how ACV may aid diabetes treatment. In this post, we will discuss the research and also the different methods you may use the vinegar to treat diabetes symptoms.

What Research Says About Apple Cider Vinegar And Diabetes

An Iranian study conducted on rats stated that ACV might have positive effects on blood cholesterol levels. ACV could lower bad cholesterol levels and elevate good cholesterol levels in diabetic rats (3).

Another small study found that ACV could regulate the levels of blood sugar and insulin in the case of type 2 diabetes (4).

However, some anecdotal evidence states that ACV may actually worsen glycemic control, and this may aggravate diabetes symptoms. A few other theories suggest that ACV may slow down the rate at which food and fluids leave the stomach, making it harder for any individual to control blood sugar.

ACV may also interact with certain medications, and its strong taste may not be okay for all.

That’s a bag of mixed results. What’s the conclusion? Should you try it? ACV is not harmful, per se. It is considered safe and can be worth a try. But ensure you use organic, unfiltered, and raw ACV – because it will be higher in beneficial bacteria (and it appears cloudy too).

Here are the various ways you can use ACV to aid your diabetes treatment.

How To Use Apple Cider Vinegar For Diabetes

1. Apple Cider Vinegar And Water

What You Need
  • 2 tablespoons of ACV
  • 2 tablespoons of water
  • 1 oz cheese
What To Do

Mix the ACV and water. Consume the mixture, along with the cheese, before bedtime.

How Often You Should Do This

Try it for a week, and consult your doctor post the results. Follow their advice.

Why This Works

ACV contains acetic acid, which is known for its antiglycemic effects. The acid can reduce starch digestion. Cheese and vinegar may have a synergistic effect. Cheese also contains amino acids that provide glucogenic substrates, which may benefit people with type 2 diabetes (these substrates, in the presence of insulin, convert to glycogen) (5).

2. Cinnamon And Apple Cider Vinegar

What You Need
  • 1 teaspoon of ACV
  • ¾ teaspoon of ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon of stevia
What To Do

Mix all the ingredients and take the concoction post meals.

How Often You Should Do This

Twice a day. Consult a doctor post results.

Why This Works

Cinnamon can help lower fasting blood glucose (6). Though stevia sweetens the drink, it has a glycemic index of zero and is not absorbed by the intestines.

3. Honey And Apple Cider Vinegar

What You Need
  • 1 teaspoon of ACV
  • 1 teaspoon of honey (or even less)
  • ½ cup of water
What To Do

Mix all the ingredients and take the drink post meals.

How Often You Should Do This

Once or twice a day. Visit your doctor post the results.

Why This Works

Honey can offset the acidic taste of ACV. It may not have the same effect on blood sugar levels as sugar does and could be a healthy substitute. Some research shows that honey may also help in the management of diabetes (7).

Caution

Use honey only if your diabetes is well maintained. Otherwise, it is better to skip it or replace it with stevia.

4. Baking Soda And Apple Cider Vinegar

What You Need
  • 2 tablespoons of ACV
  • ½ teaspoon of baking soda
  • A couple of orange wedges
What To Do
  1. Add one-fourth teaspoon of baking soda to a glass tumbler.
  2. Pour the entire ACV into the tumbler and stir thoroughly.
  3. Drink the mixture.
  4. You can eat or suck on the orange wedges. This can remove the sour taste of ACV from your mouth.
How Often You Should Do This

Thrice a day.

Why This Works

The mechanism of baking soda in diabetes treatment is anecdotal. Some animal research suggests that baking soda may help prevent an infection called mucormycosis, which is a diabetes complication (8).

Caution

In case you have a digestive condition that affects the mouth, esophagus, stomach, or intestines, talk to your doctor before using this remedy.

5. Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar

This is not a separate remedy as such. Bragg is a popular brand of apple cider vinegar that is widely known for its quality. It was founded by Paul Bragg in 1912 and claims to control weight gain that is so commonly associated with diabetes.

You can use Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar in the remedies we have discussed above. But we recommend you talk to your doctor before using the product. You can get Bragg ACV here.

Conclusion

Research on apple cider vinegar and its effects on diabetes are largely inconclusive. Though using ACV for treating the symptoms may not do much harm, it is important you talk to your doctor. These remedies are not replacements for conventional diabetes treatments and medications. They may, however, supplement existing treatment options and help accelerate recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you take apple cider vinegar with metformin?

Some believe taking apple cider vinegar along with metformin may lower blood sugar levels way too much. However, there is less research available. Please consult your doctor before taking ACV with the medication.

8 sources

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Ravi Teja Tadimalla

Ravi Teja Tadimalla is an editor and a published author. He graduated from SRM University, Chennai, and has been in the digital media field for over six years. He has a Professional Certificate in Food, Nutrition & Research from Wageningen University. He considers himself a sculptor born to chip away at content and reveal its dormant splendor. He started his career as a research writer, primarily focusing on health and wellness, and has over 250 articles to his credit. Ravi believes in the great possibilities of abundant health with natural foods and organic supplements. Reading and theater are his other interests.
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