Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Vinegar, particularly apple cider vinegar (ACV), is sometimes recommended to help reduce sugar cravings. This use is primarily supported by limited scientific evidence rather than strong traditional use. Several small studies suggest that vinegar, when consumed with meals, can moderately lower postprandial (after-meal) blood glucose and insulin spikes by slowing gastric emptying and enhancing insulin sensitivity. This effect on blood sugar levels may indirectly help reduce sugar cravings, which are sometimes triggered by rapid fluctuations in blood glucose. For example, a 2005 study in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that vinegar reduced post-meal glucose and insulin responses in healthy individuals. Another study published in Diabetes Care (2004) indicated that vinegar improved insulin sensitivity in insulin-resistant subjects.

However, there is little direct clinical evidence that vinegar specifically reduces the subjective experience of sugar cravings. Most available research addresses blood sugar regulation, not cravings themselves. The mechanism is plausible—by blunting blood sugar spikes, vinegar may stabilize energy levels and help prevent rebound hunger or cravings for sweets. Nonetheless, no large, randomized controlled trials have directly measured vinegar’s effect on sugar craving intensity or frequency. Thus, while the use of vinegar for sugar cravings has some scientific rationale, the evidence remains preliminary and modest in strength.

More about Vinegar
More about Sugar Cravings

Other ingredients used for Sugar Cravings

Other health conditions supported by Vinegar

Products containing Vinegar