Health for All says
Drinking vinegar lowers blood sugar?It may sound strange, but this seemingly folk tradition is widely mentioned in Chinese medicine. However, whether drinking vinegar can actually lower blood sugar levels is a highly debated topic. In this article, we will combine the theory of traditional Chinese medicine, quote ancient and modern famous prescriptions, and conduct a scientific review of the scientific nature of drinking vinegar to lower blood sugar**.
First of all, we need to understand the essence of vinegar. Vinegar is an acidic liquid obtained through a fermentation process and is mainly composed of acetic acid and water. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that vinegar has the characteristics of bitterness and coolness, which can enter the meridians of the spleen and stomach and regulate the flow of qi and blood. In ancient famous recipes, there are records of vinegar being used for diabetes. For example, it is recorded in "Qianjin Fang": "Wuhao vinegar" can **diabetes.
So, what exactly is the reason for the correlation between vinegar and blood sugar?According to modern research, vinegar is thought to have two effects: one is to slow down the gastric emptying of food and reduce postprandial blood sugar spikes;The second is to promote the absorption and utilization of blood sugar by muscle cells and enhance metabolism in the body. These effects all help to maintain blood sugar stability.
Regarding the effect of slowing down the rate of gastric emptying of food, we need to look to the gastrointestinal tract. When we eat, the stomach regulates food digestion and lactose absorption by releasing hormones. Vinegar is thought to be able to slow down the rate of peristalsis in the gastrointestinal tract and slow down the time it takes for food to pass through the stomach by activating or inhibiting the secretion of certain hormones. In this way, the sugar of the food does not enter the bloodstream quickly, which reduces the rise in blood sugar.
Secondly, vinegar can also increase the absorption and utilization of blood sugar by muscle cells. The acetic acid in vinegar promotes the secretion of insulin, which transports sugar from the blood to muscle cells. In addition, acetic acid activates glucose transporter 4 (glut4), which promotes its release on muscle cell membranes, facilitating the entry of sugar into muscle cells for utilization. This process increases the body's energy expenditure and contributes to the maintenance of normal blood sugar levels.
Although vinegar has the above theoretical basis and mechanism of action, the use of vinegar to lower blood sugar also needs to be cautious. First of all, it is important to be clear that vinegar has a relatively small effect and is not a replacement for existing diabetes**. If you have diabetes, vinegar should only be used as an adjunct** and should be used as a reasonable guide. In addition, excessive intake of vinegar may cause adverse reactions such as hyperacidity, gastritis, and loss of appetite, especially for people with excessive stomach acid.
To sum up, traditional Chinese medicine believes that vinegar has a hypoglycemic effect, and modern research has also found a certain association between drinking vinegar and blood sugar levels. Vinegar helps maintain stable blood sugar levels by slowing down the rate at which food is emptied and promoting the utilization of blood sugar by muscle cells. Keep in mind, however, that vinegar is not a substitute for regular diabetes**, and excessive consumption may cause adverse effects. Therefore, if you have a need to use vinegar to lower blood sugar, it is important to consult the advice of a professional physician and use it reasonably under their guidance.
Health References:
1. johnston, c. s., gaas, c. a. (2006). vinegar: medicinal uses and antiglycemic effect. medscape general medicine, 8(2), 61.