The use of vinegar for weight loss dates back to the 1700’s.

I did a whole chapter about it in my book How Not to Diet

entitled Amping AMPK, the fat- controller enzyme in the body,

which appears to be the mechanism behind the multitude

of beneficial metabolic effects.

In my 21 tweaks to accelerate weight loss I recommend 2 teaspoons

with every meal, which is considered safe,

though it should be added to food or diluted in water,

never consumed straight, and diabetics should make sure

the vinegar doesn’t make their blood sugars go too low.

But that’s one of the benefits of vinegar,

blunting the blood sugar and insulin spikes after a meal in both

healthy individuals and those with blood sugar disorders like diabetes.

In a systematic review and meta- analysis of interventional trials

of the effects of vinegar consumption

on blood sugar control in type 2 diabetes, vinegar improves

both short-term and longer-term measures of blood sugar control

and as like a little side bonus resulted in

a remarkable reduction in cholesterol to boot.

And it didn’t seem to matter whether it was apple cider vinegar or not.

All vinegar by definition has the active ingredient, acetic acid.

So, what are the implications for clinical practice?

Well, clinicians could incorporate vinegar consumption

as part of their dietary advice for patients with diabetes

with the caution that it can work a little too good

and so you have to monitor closely to make sure diabetic patients

aren’t overmedicated and bottom out their sugars.

In my video on water purification, I talked about this study

showing that the cheapest and best way to disinfect your toothbrush

so you don’t have to keep buying new ones maybe to soak it

for 10 minutes in 50% white vinegar and water.

So what about a vinegar sock soak for athlete’s foot or toenail fungus?

Foot soaks in half vinegar/half water can help antifungals work better,

but inconvenience of tub soaks limits compliance.

So, how about pouring vinegar and water on the toes of your socks

and then just like putting your feet up for a little while.

Not sure how that would be any more convenient,

but seemed to work in this clinician’s practice.

Instead of vinegar for just an athlete’s foot,

what about vinegar for the whole athlete?

“The Effect of Vinegar Supplementation on

High-Intensity Cycling Performance.”

They randomized people to do 2 tablespoons of diluted vinegar,

or sugar, or both, or neither and the vinegar did nothing.

Is there anything else vinegar does help with?

The Intake of a Vinegar Beverage Is Associated

with Restoration of Ovulatory Function in Women

with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

For those of you unfamiliar, PCOS is a major cause

of irregular menstruation,

and since insulin resistance has been suggested to be

one of the causes of polycystic ovaries,

and we know vinegar can improve insulin resistance,

researchers decided to study the effect of vinegar by giving

seven patients seeking a non-pharmacological treatment

for PCOS, a beverage containing a tablespoon

of apple cider vinegar daily for a few months.

The insulin resistance did improve in most,

but did their cycles return?

Yes, in 4 out of 7.

Before the study they were either only having their period

every 50 days or so or none at all or just not ovulating,

but most resumed within 40 days on the vinegar.

Now, this doesn’t prove anything, but it’s at least sufficient

to indicate the possibility that it may help.

And what’s the downside?

A tablespoon of vinegar would cost less than 10 cents a day.

Just remember, never drink vinegar straight, as it can cause

second degree caustic burns down your throat.