Apple cider vinegar ameliorates hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia in Tunisian type 2 diabetic patients

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a globally growing health problem and has been considered as one of the five major causes of morbidity and mortality in many societies. Epidemiological studies showed that the application of plants and their derivates improve chronic disease symptoms such as cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes. One of the plant derivates is vinegar. Apple cider vinegar (ACV) as one the apple products is remarkably more regarded for its beneficial effects. In the current study, we examined the impact of ACV on some blood biochemical factors in type 2 diabetic patients. In this double-blind trial study, 46 patients with type 2 diabetes were divided in two groups. In the first group, 26 patients received 15ml of ACV with middle meal for one month. In the second group, 20 patients received water as placebo. At the beginning and end of the study, blood samples were collected and demographic information including weight and body mass index (BMI) as well as some blood biochemical factors were evaluated. The findings of this study indicate that the fasting blood glucose (FBG ;p=0,003), weight (p=0,002), BMI (p=0,006), triglycerides (TG ; p=0,003), very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL; p=0,003) and total cholesterol to high density lipoprotein-cholesterol ratio (TC/HDL-C; p=0,03) reduced significantly in the first group while TC, low density lipoprotein- cholesterol (LDL-C) and LDL-C to HDL-C ratio did not show significant difference. In placebo group, no significant differences were observed. These results provide evidence that ACV supplementation can be beneficial in controlling blood parameters in patients with type 2 diabetes. Therefore, its uses can be useful in patients with medicines.