Does vinegar control type 2 diabetes? – A list of acidic foods to help lower blood sugar levels

There is a rumor circulating on the Internet that one or two tablespoons of vinegar taken before meals will “kill” spikes in blood sugar levels and control type 2 diabetes. The truth is that starting a meal with vinegar, a food that contains vinegar or an acidic food can be very helpful in controlling diabetes, but it is not a cure for the underlying disease.

The way to describe how acidic foods affect or alter the glycemic index… is to say that it’s unexpected. The way vinegar lowers blood sugar levels is by slowing the absorption of digested sugars in the large intestine. The acid in vinegar is neutralized by bicarbonate in the intestines, and without bicarbonate, glucose does not pass quickly into the bloodstream. Eating a sour pickle, or even having a small glass of vinegar before a meal will reduce postprandial blood sugar spikes.

All that said, this is the Summary of how acidic foods work.: What happens is that acidic foods significantly reduce the glycemic index of a carbohydrate food, or a meal, by a third. The reason lies in how the stomach and digestive system work (see above). Acidic foods delay stomach emptying. Food slows down digestion, which slows down how quickly blood sugar levels rise.

Here is a list of foods, including vinegar, that are acidic:

• dill and sweet pickles
• lemon juice
• olives
• lime juice
• marinated vegetables, such as mushrooms, carrots, and artichokes
• Horseradish
• chutney
• pickled herring
• Sauerkraut
• sauerbraten
• hot sauces
• vinegar
• salad dressings with vinegar and oil

Some of the acidic foods, such as chutney, some of the pickled vegetables and sweet pickles have added sugar… so it would not be advisable to eat large amounts of these.

You can use some of these acidic foods as condiments and garnishes for your meals. To reduce the glycemic value of your food by 30%, you would need to add four teaspoons of vinegar to your salad.

But your body still needs to produce insulin to prevent spikes in blood sugar levels once the digested sugars finally reach their destination. If you have type 2 diabetes, the problem may be that your pancreas can’t release insulin fast enough to take care of all the digested carbohydrates after you eat…vinegar can be very helpful for you.

If you have diabetes, type 1 or type 2, and use insulin, a vinegar injection may slow the sugar rush after a meal long enough to give your insulin time to work, but it won’t allow you to take fewer total units. of insulin Vinegar delays your body’s need for insulin, but does not eliminate it. Vinegar is a “treatment” for type 2 diabetes, not a cure. Helps change the glycemic index of your food…doesn’t mean you’ve cured your type 2 diabetes, just lower blood sugar levels after use.