Diabetes Control: is Vinegar a Promising Candidate to Help Achieve the Targets?

Abstract

Background: Renewed interest in vinegar as a glucose lowering agent led to several small trials in recent past. However, none of the trials could independently provide sufficient evidence. Objectives: Our review aimed to obtain reliable estimates of effects of vinegar on short-term and long-term blood glucose control. Methods: Large bibliographic databases were searched without language and publication date restriction. All clinical trials evaluating effect of vinegar on diabetes mellitus patients were eligible. Two authors independently extracted data on fasting and 2-hour postprandial blood glucose, insulin and HbA1c levels at the various time points. MS Excel, SAS® v9.3 and RevMan v5.3 were used for data analysis. Results: Small significant reduction in mean HbA1cwas observed after 8-12 weeks of vinegar administration -0.39% (95%CI: -0.59, -0.18; I2: 0%). Other long-term outcomes favoured vinegar but were not significant. Short term outcomes showed significantly lower pooled mean difference in glucose levels at 30 minutes in vinegar group. Readings at 60, 90 & 120 minutes were lower in vinegar group but not statistically significant. Adverse effects profile also favored vinegar group. Conclusions: It is worthwhile to carry out carefully planned large trails to determine the efficacy and effectiveness of vinegar as an adjunct treatment modality.