Effect and mechanisms of action of vinegar on glucose metabolism, lipid profile, and body weight

Abstract

The aim of this review is to summarize the effects of vinegar on glucose and lipid metabolism. Several studies have demonstrated that vinegar can help reduce hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, hyperlipidemia, and obesity. Other studies, however, have shown no beneficial effect on metabolism. Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain these metabolic effects, including delayed gastric emptying and enteral absorption, suppression of hepatic glucose production, increased glucose utilization, upregulation of flow-mediated vasodilation, facilitation of insulin secretion, reduction in lipogenesis, increase in lipolysis, stimulation of fecal bile acid excretion, increased satiety, and enhanced energy expenditure. Although some evidence supports the use of vinegar as a complementary treatment in patients with glucose and lipid abnormalities, further large-scale long-term trials with impeccable methodology are warranted before definitive health claims can be made.

Is Vinegar an Effective Treatment for Glycemic Control or Weight Loss?

“…9 Other theories equate vinegar's antiglycemic effects to the suppression of disaccharidase activity, thereby influencing carbohydrate absorption. [2][3][4][5]9 Vinegar's effects on glucose production in the liver, glucose uptake in skeletal muscle, and insulin secretion are also being explored. 4,5 Although there is a lack of evidence at this time to recommend vinegar as an adjuvant treatment for diabetes, vinegar is considered to be safe when consumed in reasonable amounts.…”

“…There have, however, been adverse events reported with apple cider vinegar tablets, and with vinegar ingested daily for several years. 4,9 The risks for hypoglycemia or hypokalemia are also concerns with long-term oral use or when used concomitantly with some prescription medications, overthe-counter medications, and herbal supplements. 9 The good news is that vinegar is low in calories (3 kcal per tablespoon) 10 and an easy way to flavor foods.…”

“…6 While some studies have included acetic acid in pill form, the supplements available to consumers have varied greatly in their "contents and acidity." 9 Although vinegar's specific influence on metabolism has yet to be determined, it has been proposed that vinegar may delay gastric emptying, [2][3][4]6,9 and has been shown to worsen this condition in people with gastroparesis and type 1 diabetes mellitus. 9 Other theories equate vinegar's antiglycemic effects to the suppression of disaccharidase activity, thereby influencing carbohydrate absorption.…”

“…Vinegar as a weight-loss aid was reported as early as the 1820s, 1 and more recently it has received attention for its possible role in lowering blood glucose levels. [2][3][4][5][6] Vinegar can be derived from beer or wine-or in the case of apple cider vinegar, cider-and is a result of bacterial fermentation that yields acetic acid. 7 Although "no standards of identity" exist for vinegar, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has defined the amount of acetic acid for a product to be labeled as vinegar to be 4 g of acetic acid per 100 mL.…”

“…5,8 Many of the trials evaluating the effectiveness of vinegar and glycemic control were small in scale, and the amount of vinegar, type of vinegar, its acidity, timing of consumption, and composition of the meal varied. 4 The participants ranged from healthy adults to people at risk for diabetes to those with a diagnosis of prediabetes or diabetes controlling their condition either with diet or with medication.…”