Examination of the antiglycemic properties of vinegar in healthy adults.
BACKGROUND
Vinegar reduces postprandial glycemia (PPG) in healthy adults. This study investigated the vinegar dosage (10 vs. 20 g), timing (during mealtime vs. 5 h before meal) and application (acetic acid as vinegar vs. neutralized salt) for reducing PPG.


METHODS
Four randomized crossover trials were conducted in adults (n = 9-10/trial) with type 2 diabetes (1 trial) or without diabetes (3 trials). All trials followed the same protocol: a standardized meal the evening prior to testing, an overnight fast ( 1 10 h) and 2-hour glucose testing following consumption of a bagel and juice test meal (3 trials) or dextrose solution (1 trial). For each trial, PPG was compared between treatments using area-under-the-curve calculations 120 min after the meal.


RESULTS
Two teaspoons of vinegar ( 10 g) effectively reduced PPG, and this effect was most pronounced when vinegar was ingested during mealtime as compared to 5 h before the meal. Vinegar did not alter PPG when ingested with monosaccharides, suggesting that the antiglycemic action of vinegar is related to the digestion of carbohydrates. Finally, sodium acetate did not alter PPG, indicating that acetate salts lack antiglycemic properties.


CONCLUSIONS
The antiglycemic properties of vinegar are evident when small amounts of vinegar are ingested with meals composed of complex carbohydrates. In these situations, vinegar attenuated PPG by 20% compared to placebo.
Johnston
Carol S
CS
Arizona State University, Mesa, 85212, USA. carol.johnston@asu.edu
Steplewska
Iwona
I
Long
Cindy A
CA
Harris
Lafe N
LN
Ryals
Romina H
RH
D019342:Acetic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism; D004063:Digestion / Q000187:drug effects; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005502:Food; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009005:Monosaccharides / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010919:Placebos; D013997:Time Factors
D001786:Blood Glucose; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D009005:Monosaccharides; D010919:Placebos; D019342:Acetic Acid