Type 2 diabetes causes the body to struggle to produce enough insulin. As a result, blood sugar levels can rise to a dangerous level. If the condition is left untreated, serious and even life-threatening complications can occur, including nerve damage and heart attack. To prevent these complications and keep blood sugar levels in check, experts recommend making some simple lifestyle changes.
Individual food and drink have been found to lower blood sugar – one drink being apple cider vinegar
Eating a healthy diet is one way to help manage blood sugar levels.
While there’s nothing you cannot eat, certain foods should be limited.
A wide range of foods, including fruit, vegetables and some starchy foods like pasta, are recommended, and sugar, fat and salt should be kept to a minimum.
But individual food and drink have been found to lower blood sugar – one drink being apple cider vinegar.
A number of studies have demonstrated the benefits of apple cider vinegar on blood sugar and insulin levels.
One study showed apple cider vinegar improve insulin sensitivity during a high-carb meal by 19 to 34 per cent and significantly lower blood sugar and insulin responses.
Another study showed apple cider vinegar reduce blood sugar by 34 per cent after eating 50g of white bread.
Having two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar before bedtime has also been shown to reduce fasting blood sugar in the morning by 4 per cent.
And a number of other studies in humans have shown the vinegar can improve insulin function and lower blood sugar levels after meals.
Like other types of vinegar, the key ingredient in apple cider vinegar is acetic acid, which is produced when the sugars from apples are fermented.
Most studies have suggested taking 2tbsp a day of apple cider vinegar to reap the benefits.
But it should be used to sparingly and diluted first because of its acidity.
If you have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes you should speak with your GP before taking apple cider vinegar.
Alongside eating a healthy diet, the NHS recommend being active to lower blood sugar levels.
It states: “Physical exercise helps lower your blood sugar level. You should aim for 2.5 hours of activity a week.
“You can be active anywhere as long as what you’re doing gets you out of breath. This could be fast walking, climbing stairs and doing more strenuous housework or gardening.”
Some experts believe taking supplements can help lower blood sugar.
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