Apple cider vinegar gummies: what’s the science behind the weight loss trend?
Aug 22, 2023
15:34
auto_awesome Snipd AI
Carol Johnston, a professor studying vinegar, discusses the health claims of apple cider vinegar gummies. Topics include vinegar's impact on blood glucose levels for individuals with type 2 diabetes, limited research on weight loss and belly fat, various types of vinegars and the rise of gummies, and the importance of cautious supplement purchases and skepticism towards nutritional advice.
Read more
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
auto_awesome
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
Vinegar can help regulate blood glucose levels and may be beneficial for individuals with diabetes.
The scientific evidence for health benefits like weight loss from vinegar is limited, and vinegar gummies lack concrete evidence of their effectiveness.
Deep dives
The Health Benefits of Vinegar for Blood Glucose Regulation
Carol Johnston, a professor at Arizona State University, has been studying vinegar for 20 years and its effects on blood glucose levels. Vinegar can moderate the amount of glucose that enters the bloodstream after a high-carbohydrate meal. By blocking the digestion of starch, vinegar prevents the absorption of glucose, making it helpful for individuals with diabetes. The recommended dosage is one to two tablespoons of vinegar, diluted in a cup of water, taken with a meal.
Limited Evidence for Other Health Benefits of Vinegar
The scientific evidence for other health benefits of vinegar, such as weight loss, reductions in blood pressure, and blood lipids, is not as strong as for blood glucose regulation. There is some evidence that vinegar may modestly decrease belly fat, but the overall science on these benefits is still limited. Different types of vinegar, like apple cider vinegar, contain acetic acid, which is the main beneficial component. However, the additional characteristics of the original food from which the vinegar is derived are not present in sufficient quantities to have significant health benefits.
Vinegar Pills and Gummies
Vinegar pills are not effective because they usually contain a very small amount of acetic acid, which is inadequate to provide the desired benefits. As for vinegar gummies, there have been no scientific studies to determine their effectiveness. The amount of acetic acid in gummies should be sufficient to produce the desired effects, but until further research is conducted, there is no concrete evidence to support the effectiveness of vinegar gummies.
Apple cider vinegar is touted as a cure-all for everything from excess weight to digestion issues and blood sugar spikes. Supplement ‘gummies’ are the latest trend, billed as a tastier way to incorporate apple cider vinegar into our diets. Posts promoting them have been viewed millions of times on TikTok, but are the health claims backed up by the science? Madeleine Finlay speaks to Carol Johnston, a professor in the College of Health Solutions at Arizona State University who has been studying vinegar for 20 years, to find out what the evidence tells us. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode