Apple cider vinegar it turns out is the new wonder potion of
our time. I stumbled upon it while doing some research on blood sugar and
diabetes. I bet that right about now you are probably asking yourself, what in
the world is apple cider vinegar?
Apple cider vinegar is apple juice that has been fermented
twice over to get first apple cider, then apple cider vinegar. It is a
moderately acidic compound that has been around for many years but is only now
being acknowledged for its ability to reduce spikes in blood sugar.
Why is apple cider vinegar so important to you? Well in
Nigeria today diabetes is one of the fastest growing chronic illnesses. It is
thought that about 20% of adults over 40 years old are either diabetic or pre diabetic.
Our diet is now full of processed carbohydrates like noodles, white rice and
bread that have a high glycemic index (high sugar) and as a result many of us
are at risk of developing this condition which is lifelong, very expensive to
manage and potentially fatal if not well managed.
Enter apple cider vinegar, its health properties have been
known for a long time. People have been drinking it as a detoxifier to clean
out the kidneys for centuries and it has also been used as a weight loss
supplement. However the most compelling use of apple cider vinegar is for
controlling blood sugar.
When we eat foods high in carbohydrates our bodies break it
down to glucose which is basically sugar and this is absorbed by the muscles
for energy. Unfortunately many of us do not absorb this glucose readily due to
problems with our insulin production or insulin resistance and as a result the
glucose is not absorbed into the muscles but is left floating around in our
blood (high blood sugar) this is the precursor to diabetes.
Studies from the University of Arizona have shown that taking
2 spoons of apple cider vinegar before a meal of carbohydrates can
significantly lower the spike in blood concentration of insulin and glucose.
The tests showed that apple cider vinegar is capable of reducing the spike in
blood sugar of not only diabetics but also non diabetics and people diagnosed
as at risk (pre- diabetic) in fact if you are pre diabetic you can reduce your
blood sugar spike by as much as 30% by taking apple cider vinegar.
It’s funny that nobody really promotes this product, but since
there is no gain in it for pharmaceutical companies; don’t hold your breath
waiting for them to promote it. Friends my advice to you today is to find out
your blood sugar level (remember your vital numbers?) and start taking apple
cider vinegar as a food supplement. Put two tablespoons in half a liter of
water and drink before meals, this is better than drinking it straight as the
acidity makes it extremely sour! You can also put a little honey in it to tone
down the sourness.
I have been taking apple cider vinegar on and off for the
past three month and from tests done my fasting blood sugar levels have
reduced. If like me you have a family history of diabetes please take this very
seriously. It just might save your life!
Good Apple cider vinegar does not come cheap and I highly
recommend this brand:
Bragg apple cider vinegar is very good and a 1 liter bottle will
cost about 3500 Naira. It is available at pharmacies in all the major shopping
malls in Lagos. It might seem expensive but can you really put a price on your
health? Remember it’s easier to prevent it than to cure it. Please do start
taking it, if you do I promise you will see an improvement in your blood sugar.
Do have a lovely day
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