The popularly held notion that apple cider vinegar has healthful qualities is gaining acceptance in the scientific community. In fact, this commonly held household item may help people suffering from type-2 diabetes while also helping to lower blood glucose levels and lose weight.

Type-2 diabetes, also known as adult onset or non-insulin dependent diabetes, is the most common form of the disorder, affecting an estimated 90%-95% of the over 21 million diabetics. In the past, it has primarily affected adults, but children now account for an alarming number of cases.

Type-2 diabetics, unlike type-1’s, still produce insulin, except that they either produce too little, or their bodies are resistant to it. When insulin doesn’t do its job, our bodies can’t break down sugar, and instead of getting used up by our cells, the glucose builds up in the blood, leading to a number of health problems. Though there is no cure for type-2 diabetes, it can be managed with medication and by maintaining proper glucose levels through exercise and proper diet.

In an article published in the journal, Diabetes Care, researchers found that apple cider vinegar was effective at tempering the rise in blood sugar after a high carbohydrate meal. In addition to the subjects who had fully diagnosed type-2 diabetes, the beneficial effects were seen in participants who had a pre-diabetic conditions (i.e., insulin resistance) as well as the control group.

In another study, apple cider vinegar was found to lower the fasting levels of blood glucose (during sleep) in people with type-2 diabetes, with the most substantial drops occurring in the subjects with the highest initial glucose levels.

The researchers point out that due to the small scale of the studies, more work needs to be done before any concrete conclusions can be made, but the findings are intriguing, nonetheless, especially in light of the fact that not all vinegars are created equal. Indeed, it seems that only apple cider vinegar works.

Because of this, some researchers speculate that the secret lies not in the vinegar itself, but in the apples, which are known to carry a whole array of phytochemicals and antioxidants. Apple cider vinegar is derived from the juice squeezed from apples, and whether or not it’s the fermentation process or the juice itself, nobody knows.

Before embarking on an apple cider vinegar diet, consult a dietician or speak with your physician, especially if you have a pre-existing medical condition. And keep in mind, many of the nutrients in apples are lost to processing, so if you are shopping around for a good apple cider vinegar, look for something less processed and more natural, even organic if you can find it.

This post was included in the August edition of Take Charge of Your Health Carnival!