There is a rumor going around the internet that a tablespoon or two of vinegar taken before meals will “kill” spikes in blood sugar levels and control type 2 diabetes. The truth is, starting a meal with vinegar, a food containing 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 is unexpected. The way vinegar lowers blood sugar levels is by slowing the absorption of digested sugars in the large intestine. The acid in the vinegar is neutralized by bicarbonate in the intestines, and without bicarbonate, glucose does not pass quickly into the bloodstream. Eating a pickle, or even having a small glass of vinegar before a meal will reduce postprandial blood sugar spikes.
With all that being 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 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
- green 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 seasonings 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 make 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 take insulin, a vinegar shot may slow the sugar rush after a meal, long enough to give your insulin time to work, but not allow you to take fewer total units. Insulin Vinegar delays your body’s need for insulin, but it doesn’t 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 after use.