Apple cider is a delicious beverage, while apple cider vinegar is believed to have cured several health challenges. Though both smells and sounds remarkably similar, and are produced using a common ingredient, nevertheless, they are not the same. In this article, we will be looking closely at the difference in the effects of apple cider and apple cider vinegar on diabetes. We will also be answering the questions such as is Apple Cider Vinegar good for diabetics?

What is Apple Cider?

Apple cider is some fresh-pressed apple, sometimes it is also called cider, non-alcoholic or sweet cider. It is made from the whole apple and contains natural bacteria and sugars from the apples.

Cider makers use their blend of apple in producing cider and may add preservatives also to keep the cider longer and fresher.

If you come across a cider classified as “varietal”, it means the cider is produced using only one type variety of apple instead of a blend of apples.

Nevertheless, any cider drink classified as an “apple drink blend”, that means it is produced using other fruit entirely like raspberries or cranberries.

What is Apple Cider Vinegar?

Generally, vinegar is a fermented blend of acetic acid and water. The acetic acid can be produced for different plants which include; rice, fruit, grains, or potatoes.

ACV or Apple Cider Vinegar is produced from fermented apples to a natural sugar alcohol, then, adding bacteria to turn the alcohol to acetic acid.

Usually, Apple Cider Vinegar is the fermented apple cider. Some bacteria in the cider such as yeast, use of the sugar, fermenting the cider and converting it to a hard cider. As the fermentation process continues, and the sugar is completely used up, the cider turns to vinegar which is known as Apple cider Vinegar.

Effect of Apple Cider on Your Body (Benefits and Harms)

For many years now, people take apple cider because they believe it has many health benefits. It can ameliorate stomach problems, symptoms and also ideal in curtailing bloating, relieving intestinal tract. Apple cider also reduces overall stress.

Here are some effects of apple cider vinegar in a list.

• Reduces constipation

Research has it that apple cider cures constipation naturally, especially when the juice is warm. The biopolymer helps your bowels gathering and excreting waste because of the pectin content in the cider.

• Ideal for weight loss

If you are trying to lose some weight, you need to try out apple cider.

Personal anecdotes and case studies of some people who are trying to lose weight demonstrated that apple cider wards off weight. Also, some people believe that acids and bacteria in the cider help speed up metabolism.

• Reduce body odor

Research reveals that apple cider helps to adjust the levels of PH in the skin of individuals who regularly ingest it. Cider also reduces odor-causing bacteria, and at the same time easing body odor and anus stank.

• Calms anxiety

Apple cider is known for its calming qualities, especially during intimacy. It has been used as a muscle relaxant for many years and also to relax nerves while helping to reduce ED.

• Helps irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Historically, fiber and antispasmodics have been used to control irritable bowel syndrome, but recent scientific research shows that apple cider can help improve symptoms. It is believed that apple cider works as an intestinal relaxant which allows the reset of the gut system. In turn, this promotes healthier stool creation.

• Helps prevent cancer

The effects of apple on cancer prevention have become a case study among researchers. Apples are imbued naturally with nutritional and health properties that help work as protective barriers to every type of health problem from brewing which includes cancer. They assist to improve certain types of cancer, like colon and breast cancer.

Apple cider has the content of antioxidants that assist in fighting free radicals that destroys your cells. But how exactly apple cider helps to improve cancer is fully not clear yet to researchers.

• Fights weakness

Apple cider contains antioxidants that help detoxify the body. Patients on the recovery phase are usually given apple cider or apple to eat because they instill vitality and energy. Drinking apple cider makes you feel energized throughout the day.

• Treats anemia

Anemia is a health problem where there is a reduction in the blood hemoglobin count. Most people who suffer from anemia can treat this condition easily by adding an iron source in their daily meal (either in juice form, fruit, or supplement).

Apple cider is an ideal source of iron and works as a perfect home remedy in anemia treatment. The common symptoms and signs of anemia include headache, sleep deprivation, heartbeat, tiredness, and shortness of breath.

A combination of Apple cider with tomato juice or Apple cider with beet-root juice works great for your health.

• Helps digestion

Apple cider helps the bacteria that work in the large intestine to function properly. It alters the digestive tract metabolic rate. This causes changes in metabolic rate and assists to effect modifications in the balance of bacteria, which enhances gut health.

It also helps in the removal of bad bacteria and toxic elements.

• Control of diabetes

The content of polyphenol in apple cider helps to reduce carbohydrates absorption in the digestive system. This assists in controlling the constant fluctuation of the level of blood sugar in the bloodstream and keeps your diabetes in check.

Also, the content of polyphenols in apple cider helps in the glucose absorption in the digestive tract. Whenever this happens, the pancreas will release Insulin that plays an essential role in keeping the levels of your blood sugar under control.

• Skincare

Drinking apple cider or using apple as a paste together with milk and honey helps to add shine and glow to your skin. The content of antioxidants in apple cider helps combat the signs of damaged skin like wrinkles, blemishes, age-spot, etc.

It also helps to improve blood circulation. Better blood circulation replaces weak cells with fresh ones, and this will further ensure radiant and fresh-looking skin.

• Fights rheumatism

Drinking apple cider or eating an apple daily may provide relief for patients suffering from severe rheumatism. Apple cider contains flavonoids that assist in the rheumatism healing process.

It can also help in treating pains caused by arthritis.

• Reduces Alzheimer’s disease risk

Apple cider contains antioxidant that protects the brain cells against a process known as oxidative stress. Oxidative stress causes an imbalance between the number produced by free radicals and the body’s ability to reject the demanding effects. This damages the tissues and leads to Alzheimer’s.

Aside from Alzheimer’s, tissue-damaging can also cause some neurodegenerative disorders. The contents of phytonutrients in apple cider can help lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

• Reduces blood pressure

As mentioned already, apple cider is a good source of antioxidants. They help lower oxidizing effects of fat significantly. This process includes neutralizing triglycerides and other types of fats that are in the blood vessels canals. This leads to excess pressure application on the blood vessel’s walls. You can avoid this pressure by drinking apple cider as it contains a powerful flavonoid called quercetin. This quercetin reduces any act of inflammation in the heart blood vessels.

Some Negative Effects of Apple Cider On Your Body

Apple cider has no serious risk to your body. Still, if you buy a contaminated unpasteurized apple cider that contains bacteria like E. coli (0157:H7), it can cause serious illness especially in elderly people, young children and in anyone with a weak immune system.

Apple cider may also cause diarrhea when consumed in a larger quantity.

Is Apple Cider Good for Diabetics? What Does Research say?

Apple cider is made from fresh apples and contains all the health benefits that there is in fresh apples. Apple cider contains fresh fiber as well as carbs.

Fiber helps to slow down the digestion process and carbs absorption, making them not to raise your levels of blood sugar quickly.

Studies reveal that fiber protects the body against type 2 diabetes, and also of the opinion that many fiber types can enhance blood sugar control.

The antioxidants in apple cider lower your risk of diabetes as research was discovered that women who took one apple each day lower the risk of having type 2 diabetes by 28% as compared to other women who haven’t taken any apple.

There are so many reasons apple cider might assist in preventing diabetes, but the presence of antioxidants in this drink likely plays a noticeable role.

Antioxidants are those substances that hinder harmful chemical reactions in the body. They have several health benefits, which include defending your body system from chronic disease. Noticeable amounts of these antioxidants are found in apple cider.

• Quercetin

This slows down the digestion of carbs and helps hinder blood sugar spike.

• Chlorogenic Acid

It helps the body to efficiently use sugar.

• Phlorizin

This slows down the absorption of sugar and reduces the levels of blood sugar. A lot of research suggests that eating an apple or drinking its juice can lower the risk of having diabetes.

Does Apple Cider Vinegar Help Diabetics? What Does Research Say?

Apple Cider Vinegar is proven to be helpful in type2 diabetes.

The characteristics of type 2 diabetes include high levels of blood sugar caused by the body’s inability to supply insulin or insulin resistance. However, persons without diabetes also can benefit from maintaining a normal range of blood sugar levels, as researchers think that high levels of blood sugar are the main cause of so many chronic diseases and aging.

Researches also believe that apple cider vinegar has one of the effective benefits of controlling blood sugar levels. The research also went further to suggest that apple cider vinegar provides the following benefits for insulin and blood sugar levels.

• One study suggested that apple cider vinegar could enhance the sensitivity of insulin by 19 -34% when having a high carbohydrate meal and lower insulin and blood sugar response significantly.
• In another study conducted on 5 healthy persons, apple cider vinegar lowered blood sugar by 31.4% after consuming 50gram of white bread.
• Yet another research in diabetic patients revealed that drinking two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar before bedtime lowered fasting blood sugar by 4% the next morning.
• Several other types of research in humans have also revealed that apple cider vinegar can improve the function of insulin and reduce the levels of blood sugar after a meal.

How To Use Apple Cider Vinegar for Diabetes

There are a few ways to use apple cider vinegar for diabetes.

These ways include;

• Apple cider vinegar with water

Get 2 tablespoons of Apple cider vinegar (ACV), 2 tablespoons of water, and one oz cheese.

Mix the vinegar and water, then drink the mixture with the cheese before bedtime.

Do this daily for one week, then see your doctor with the result.

The anti-glycemic effects of ACV can hinder the digestion of starch, and also cheese and vinegar have a synergistic effect. The content of amino acid in cheese benefits patients with type 2 diabetes.

• Apple Cider Vinegar with Cinnamon

Get one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar, ¾ teaspoon of cinnamon (ground), and one teaspoon of Stevia, mix the ingredients, and take it after meals.

Do this two times a day, and then see your doctor with the result.

Cinnamon assists in reducing fasting blood sugar. The stevia makes the drink sweet but has a zero glycemic index, and the intestine does not absorb it.

• Apple cider vinegar with honey

Get a teaspoon of Apple cider vinegar, a teaspoon of honey (or lesser), and ½ cup of water. Mix the ingredients and drink it before meals.

Do this once or twice a day, and then see your doctor for a result.

Honey offsets the ACV acidic taste. It does not affect the levels of your blood sugar the same way sugar does, and it is a healthy substitute. Some studies reveal that honey also helps in diabetes management.

Tip: If you wish to add some salt, consider Chinnen Salt.

• Apple cider vinegar with baking soda

Get two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, ½ teaspoon of baking soda, and a couple of orange wedges. Add 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda in a cup and stir thoroughly. Drink the mixture. You can even suck or eat the orange wedges, as it can help clean your mouth from the sour taste of the ACV. Do this three times a day.

The baking soda mechanism in the treatment of diabetes is anecdotal. Some studies suggest that baking soda assists in mucormycosis, which complicates diabetes.

Caution: if you have any digestive issue that affects the esophagus, mouth, intestines, or stomach, it is advisable to see your physician before applying this remedy.

• Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar

Bragg is a well-known quality apple cider vinegar brand. It was originated in 1912 by Paul Bragg, and it is believed to control diabetes associated with weight gain.

You can apply Bragg apple cider vinegar in the above-discussed remedies. But it is always necessary to talk with your physician before using apple cider vinegar. As I always recommend.

When Apple Cider and Apple Cider Vinegar Bad for Diabetics?

Apple cider and Apple cider vinegar have shown to be beneficial in treating so many health conditions, including diabetes. However, if you have gastroparesis and you are still adding more acid (either from apple cider or apple cider vinegar) you are at serious risk of burning your stomach mucus. That can lead not only to stomach ulcer but also to tube damages known as the esophagitis and acid reflux.

Gastroparesis is a digestive problem that impacts stomach contractions, delaying gastric emptying. It causes your stomach not to break down and digest solid food normally. This disorder occurs in diabetic patients, but it can also occur as a result of eating disorders, gastric surgery, hypothyroidism, or mental disease, among many other factors.

Apple cider and apple cider vinegar also slow down digestion and delay gastric emptying, which is generally beneficial. This is because when the gastric emptying is delayed, the body slows down the sugar rate being released into the bloodstream.

Therefore, you would incontinence yourself the more if you have gastroparesis and still have to take apple cider or apple cider vinegar. This combination can lead to heartburn, nausea, and bloating.

Conclusion

Though both apple cider and apple cider vinegar have positive effects on diabetes, you should, , understand that both can also cause some serious health challenges when they are not well applied. So always endeavor to communicate with your health care personnel before making any moves with these remedies and products containing them.