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Is there any benefit of apple cider vinegar for diabetes mellitus
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
Many alternative medicine practitioners recommend taking apple cider vinegar for diabetics. Is this product really beneficial or can its use be harmful to patients' health?
American clinical researchers conducted a study more than ten years ago, during which they offered patients with diabetes to undergo treatment with apple cider vinegar and ordinary water (placebo). During the study, it was noted that taking two tablespoons of vinegar at night led to the fact that the next morning the blood glucose level was lower than before the start of treatment. Moreover, specialists managed to prove that regular consumption of high-quality apple cider vinegar lowers the blood glucose level regardless of food intake.
The mechanism of normalizing sugar levels with vinegar has not yet been clarified. Presumably, malic acid slows down the breakdown of complex carbohydrates into sugars, which facilitates the work of the pancreas. Simply put, the peak increase in sugar levels is somewhat smoothed out thanks to vinegar: there is no sharp jump in blood glucose. Some hypoglycemic agents act in a similar way - for example, Miglitol.
However, further research by scientists led to not entirely optimistic results. It was found that apple cider vinegar has a positive effect only in type II diabetes. But in type I diabetes, the product can only harm. Why?
Scientists from Sweden conducted an additional study and found that in insulin-dependent diabetes, taking apple cider vinegar slows down the digestion of food in the stomach. This makes the pancreas work longer and more intensively - and this is very undesirable for this disease.
As a result of the experiments, scientists made the following conclusions:
- It is not advisable for patients with type 1 diabetes to be treated with apple cider vinegar;
- Vinegar is by no means a panacea; it can only be used as a treatment along with a healthy lifestyle and proper nutrition;
- Treatment with vinegar is not a reason to refuse medications prescribed by an endocrinologist.
And experts have clarified another question: how should patients with type 2 diabetes drink apple cider vinegar?
Before taking a medicinal dose of the product, it must be diluted in water. For 1-2 spoons of vinegar you will need 200-250 ml of water.
Undiluted vinegar should not be consumed. It can have a detrimental effect on the condition of the teeth and digestive organs.
Experts do not explain which product is better to use: industrial or homemade. However, one thing is clear: vinegar should not be artificial or purified. The greatest amount of useful substances is contained in the usual unfiltered product, which can sometimes be cloudy, with sediment at the bottom of the bottle.
Based on scientifically proven facts, we can say with confidence: before you begin self-treatment of such a complex disease as diabetes, consult your doctor first.
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