This pre-meal trick can regulate your blood sugar — but doctor shares warning before you try it
If you're diabetic or pre-diabetic, you know post-meal blood sugar spikes can wreak havoc on your health.
There are many prescription drugs out there that can help you manage glucose levels, but a simple, non-pharmaceutical trick may also get the job done.
And all you need is something that's likely already hiding in your pantry.
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3 Apple cider vinegar has long been touted as a miracle potion that can be used for practically anything, but the scientific evidence is limited.
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Norma Lyons, 60, was 40 pounds overweight when she was diagnosed as prediabetic nearly a decade ago.
People with prediabetes have higher-than-normal blood sugar levels — left untreated, it can turn into full-blown diabetes, putting them at risk for heart disease and stroke.
Not wanting to take drugs to treat her condition, she told The Post she managed to lose the weight and reverse the prediabetes in just 90 days by switching to a keto diet.
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These days, she uses a tangy trick whenever she wants to get her fix: Lyons told the Post she simply mixes two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in her water and — voila — she can have two slices of pizza and still be in the clear.
Apple cider vinegar has long been touted as a miracle potion that can be used for practically anything — from losing weight to aiding digestion to soothing sore throats, skin issues and headaches, although the evidence on its efficacy is limited.
So, does the science for this blood sugar hack hold up?
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'I've heard from some patients who have successfully used apple cider vinegar to prevent post-meal sugar spikes,' Dr. Victoria Finn, an endocrinologist at Medical Offices of Manhattan, told The Post.
3 Lyons simply mixes two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in her water to manage her blood sugar levels when she eats carbs.
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ACV, as fans call it, may work in a few different ways: According to Finn, it might slow the breakdown of carbohydrates, delay the rate at which food leaves the stomach and increase insulin sensitivity — all of which can help prevent blood sugar from rising too quickly after eating.
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But it's not without risks.
'I would advise against trying this natural treatment before consulting your healthcare provider,' she said.
'Apple cider vinegar's high acidity can cause stomach irritation and nausea in some patients, leading to other gastrointestinal issues.
'Furthermore, certain medications may interact negatively with apple cider vinegar.'
3 Norma Lyons before (right) and after (left) losing 40 pounds and reversing her prediabetes in 90 days.
Norma Lyons
Some people are likely to benefit from the trick more than others.
'It will definitely work better in people with some degree of insulin resistance, meaning those who have prediabetes or Type 2 diabetes,' Finn said, noting that the hack is more likely to work if the apple cider vinegar is taken before a high-carb meal.
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While the tummy trick may have its merits, Finn still encourages people to focus on making lifestyle choices that can help them manage their blood sugar levels.
'My two best pieces of advice would be to consume protein, vegetables and healthy fats before eating carbohydrates and to take a 20-30 minute walk after meals,' she said.
'Eating a bowl of salad or a handful of nuts can significantly slow down the absorption of carbohydrates and reduce stomach emptying, which helps prevent a sugar spike.'
The post-meal walk — which the internet has affectionately dubbed the 'fart walk' — 'can help cells take up glucose from the blood as an energy source and lower glucose levels,' she said.
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As an added bonus, this flatulent stroll can also prevent constipation, get rid of gas and even lower your risk of cancer.
For Lyons, the apple cider vinegar trick — and adopting other smart eating methods — has been a life-changer.
'I don't feel like I need to deprive myself of anything anymore. It's just a matter of learning how to eat it,' she said.
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