Shot of drink you can take every day to potentially lower blood sugar levels

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Apple cider vinegar has been touted as a cure-all, but while it can't cure everything, it is backed by some science and can help in some areas, including blood sugar levels and cholesterol

There's no shortage of individuals claiming to have a magic solution for all your health woes. From drinking raw milk (not recommended) to eliminating carbs from your diet (also not recommended), it's always wise to heed the advice of seasoned professionals in the fields of science and nutrition. It comes as a new study reveals the "exercise snack" that will reduce blood sugar spikes by 58 percent .

That said, it doesn't mean that new discoveries aren't being made constantly. Even those who've spent their entire careers in these fields admit that our understanding of the human body is far from complete, with new insights emerging regularly . Take the gut microbiome, for instance - a topic that was seldom discussed until recently, but is now considered by many scientists and nutritionists as crucial to our health.



Meanwhile, cutting out one drink a day can help lower cholesterol and blood pressure . TSA reveals 11 new carry-on items you can take at any size - here's the full list Heart experts say two foods can slash cholesterol 'similar to statins' One such discovery pertains to a daily shot that could potentially offer some health benefits: apple cider vinegar. This "drink" has been the subject of much discussion, particularly since it featured prominently in a Netflix drama about a woman who built a wellness empire on the claim that she cured her own cancer through lifestyle and dietary changes, rather than professional medical treatment.

The show's title is a nod to the so-called "wellness gurus" who frequently promote apple cider vinegar as a panacea, reports Surrey Live . While it's not a miracle cure, apple cider vinegar isn't entirely without merit either. As gastroenterologist Edwin K McDonald IV puts it on the University of Chicago Medicine website, apple cider vinegar "is not pixie dust, but it's also not snake oil".

The truth, as usual, lies somewhere in between. It could help lower blood sugar levels. Research suggests that apple cider vinegar can help reduce blood sugar levels.

In an experiment conducted by the BBC with Dr James Brown from Aston University, a group taking apple cider vinegar saw a 36% reduction in overall sugar intake into the blood after a meal over a 90-minute testing period. A smaller study published in the Journal of the American Association of Diabetes in 2004 also found that apple cider vinegar lowered post-meal blood glucose levels. Participants were given a meal consisting of a bagel, orange juice and butter.

After the meal, they received 20 grams of apple cider vinegar or a placebo, and their blood glucose levels were checked 30 and 60 minutes later. It might help reduce cholesterol. One study found these effects were more significant in patients with type 2 diabetes, with the most notable improvements occurring after a daily dosage of 15 milligrams of ACV for over eight weeks.

Researchers reported in BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies: "We found that ACV consumption significantly decreased serum total cholesterol." It could aid weight loss. A 2018 study by Iranian scientists, published in the Journal of Functional Foods, found that consuming apple cider vinegar alongside a low-calorie diet can lead to significant weight loss benefits.

The researchers noted: "This study indicates that apple cider vinegar consumption along with restricted calorie diet can decrease appetite, body weight, BMI, hip circumference, VAI, plasma triglyceride, total cholesterol concentration and also increase HDL-C level in overweight or obese subjects." They suggested that apple cider vinegar could be used as a complementary therapy for weight management, stating: "An implication of this is the possibility that ACV could be used as an adjunctive therapy in concomitant with RCD or other standard way of weight management therapy..

" However, Dr. McDonald, a gastroenterologist from Chicago, is skeptical about other claimed benefits of apple cider vinegar, such as lowering high blood pressure and curing cancer. He emphasizes that there is insufficient evidence to support using apple cider vinegar as a treatment for high blood pressure, advising instead to "There's simply not enough data to support using ACV as a blood pressure medication.

Eat a healthy diet, exercise, and take your meds if you need them." Regarding cancer, Dr. McDonald is equally dismissive, stating: "Apple cider vinegar will not cure cancer.

As a GI doctor, I'm typically the first person to tell someone they have esophageal cancer. I wish I could tell people all they have to do is drink some vinegar. Sadly, things aren't that easy.

" Before you start popping any supplement or adding anything new to your diet, it's crucial to seek professional medical advice. If you're considering apple cider vinegar, try incorporating small amounts into your meals - there are no set guidelines on the daily intake. You could also dilute a small quantity in a glass of water or another beverage.

However, be aware that consuming large quantities may lead to certain side effects, including:..