Drink This Every Night Before Bed To Lower Your Blood Sugar

There's been plenty of buzz around apple cider vinegar (ACV) in recent years. You may have seen it recommended for various ailments, and thanks to its promised health benefits, ACV has become quite popular. But this isn't just another wellness trend without any science to back it up: Studies around ACV seem to confirm that it really can be beneficial for our health. And if you struggle to regulate your blood sugar, apple cider vinegar could be the answer you've been looking for.

While its popularity might be relatively recent, ACV is nothing new. The vinegar, which is made by fermenting crushed apples with probiotics that turn its sugar into acetic acid, has been used as a home remedy for centuries. This compound has a myriad of health benefits, including lowering cholesterol. Key research has also found that it's an effective way to regulate blood sugar.

How does apple cider vinegar lower blood sugar?

“A number of studies suggest that vinegar might prevent spikes in blood sugar in people with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes by blocking starch absorption,” according to Harvard researcher Robert H. Shmerling, MD. In fact, Arizona State University testing shows that vinegar can blunt blood sugar spikes.

One study on people who have type 2 diabetes (which means the body has trouble using insulin properly) found that drinking ACV every night before bed reduced their resting blood sugar levels in the morning. This is likely due to the acetic acid in vinegar, which has an antiglycemic effect. Here's how it works: Starch, which we get from foods like potatoes and pasta, is full of glucose and can therefore cause blood sugar to spike. But acetic acid helps us absorb less glucose.

How To Use Apple Cider Vinegar To Lower Blood Sugar

Participants in the Arizona State University study took about two tablespoons of ACV every night, which you can dilute with water to make more palatable. That won't affect the vinegar's benefits, and will also give you a boost of hydration before bed. Just make sure to brush your teeth after, since vinegar can be harmful to tooth enamel.

Struggling with high blood sugar and diabetes can feel overwhelming, but eating a healthy diet, along with taking a daily dose of ACV, could put you on the path to better health. As always, make sure to consult your doctor before starting a new regimen to ensure it's the right thing for you.