Is Apple Cider Vinegar Good For Diabetes?

Apple cider vinegar seems to be everywhere these days. From fighting obesity to improving digestive health to relieving cold symptoms, the benefits of apple cider vinegar are being touted as the remedy for a wide range of health problems. These claims include the purported ability of apple cider vinegar to help people with type 2 diabetes maintain their blood sugar levels.

Encouraging, But Minimal, Research

While there is little if any downside to adding apple cider vinegar to your diet, the research about its effectiveness in diabetes management isn’t conclusive. However, the studies that do exist are encouraging and suggest that apple cider vinegar may have a positive impact on the health of individuals with diabetes.

What research there is about the connection between apple cider vinegar and diabetes has focused apple cider vinegar’s potential to reduce blood sugar levels.

2018 review of existing research concluded that, on average, those who regularly consumed apple cider vinegar saw a small but significant reduction in their HbA1c results after approximately 8–12 weeks. HbA1c levels reflect blood glucose levels over a span of several weeks or months.

Groups taking apple cider vinegar experienced noticeable improvement in blood glucose levels half an hour after consuming the vinegar, but that effect seemed to be short-lived as the difference between those who took the vinegar and those who did not narrowed as time went on.

Other studies attempted to figure out why and how apple cider vinegar appeared to reduce blood sugar levels. One crossover, randomized 2015 study suggested that apple cider vinegar may improve the way that the body absorbs blood sugar and increase insulin sensitivity in the skeletal muscle.

Since obesity is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes, apple cider vinegar’s effect on obesity is also of interest.  Some researchers claim that the acetic acid found in apple cider vinegar can help reduce obesity.  For example, one 2017 study revealed that mice who received vinegar had lower levels of body weight and fat distribution.

No matter its potential benefits, apple cider vinegar alone is certainly not enough to keep blood sugar levels where they need to be for folks with diabetes. Even with a healthy and optimal diet, effective, accurate, and continuous monitoring of those levels will always be an indispensable aspect of effective diabetes maintenance.

Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) is a tested, approved, and easy-to-use transceiver device that helps those with diabetes stay informed and ahead of the game with their diabetes monitoring. Contact us today to see if you qualify for CGM and access our guide to continuous glucose monitoring.

CALL US TO QUALIFY NOW

If you are not insured, or have a high deductible health insurance plan, you can still purchase the Freestyle Libre Reader and Sensors at extremely competitive prices. Prices starting as low as $99 per month

*Fingersticks are required for treatment decisions when you see Check Blood Glucose symbol, when symptoms do not match system readings when you suspect readings may be in accurate, or when you experience symptoms that may be due to high or low blood glucose.

Reference 1: Data on file. Abbott Diabetes Care. 2, FreeStyle Libre 14 day User’s Manual

Indications and Important Safety Information

FreeStyle Libre and FreeStyle Libre 14 day Flash Glucose Monitoring systems are continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices indicated for replacing blood glucose testing and detecting trends and tracking patterns aiding in the detection of episodes of hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia, facilitating both acute and long-term therapy adjustments in persons (age 18 and older) with diabetes. The systems are intended for single patient use and require a prescription.

CONTRAINDICATIONS: Remove the sensor before MRI, CT scan, X-ray, or diathermy treatment.

WARNINGS/LIMITATIONS: Do not ignore symptoms that may be due to low or high blood glucose, hypoglycemic unawareness, or dehydration. Check sensor glucose readings with a blood glucose meter when Check Blood Glucose symbol appears, when symptoms do not match system readings, or when readings are suspected to be inaccurate. The system does not have alarms unless the sensor is scanned, and the system contains small parts that may be dangerous if swallowed. The system is not approved for pregnant women, persons on dialysis, or critically-ill population. Sensor placement is not approved for sites other than the back of the arm and standard precautions for transmission of blood borne pathogens should be taken. The built-in blood glucose meter is not for use on dehydrated, hypotensive, in shock, hyperglycemic-hyperosmolar state, with or without ketosis, neonates, critically-ill patients, or for diagnosis or screening of diabetes. When using FreeStyle LibreLink app, access to a blood glucose monitoring system is required as the app does not provide one. Review all product information before use or contact Abbott Toll Free (855-632-8658) or visit www.freestylelibre.us for detailed indications for use and safety information.html. . FreeStyle, Libre, and related brand marks are trademarks of Abbott Diabetes Care Inc. in various jurisdictions. Other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ©2018 Abbott. ADC-09691 vLO 10/18

*The FreeStyle LibreLink app and the FreeStyle Libre 14 day reader have similar but not identical features. Fingersticks are required for treatment decisions when you see Check Blood Glucose symbol, when symptoms do not match system readings, when you suspect readings may be inaccurate, or when you experience symptoms that may be due to high or low blood glucose.

The FreeStyle Libre 2 app and the FreeStyle Libre 2 reader have similar but not identical features. Fingersticks are required for treatment decisions when you see Check Blood Glucose symbol and when your glucose alarms and readings from the system do not match symptoms or expectations

‡‡‡Based on the sensor being replaced once every 14 days, and scanned at least once every 8 hours.

§§§Glucose readings are not available during 1-hour warm-up, when sensor is too hot or too cold, when you see an error or "LO" or "HI" message, or no current glucose reading