Have you tried apple cider vinegar (ACV) for your gout? The fermented-apple byproduct has a reputation for curing just about anything that ails you, from diabetes and acne to obesity and high cholesterol. And while there’s no irrefutable proof that apple cider vinegar cures gout, there is some evidence that it may indirectly prevent or treat it.
Reducing risk factors for gout
One of the key ingredients in apple cider vinegar is acetic acid. This acid has been shown to reduce or manage inflammation, diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, all of which are risk factors for gout.
Need some examples?
A 2016 study looked at the effects of apple cider vinegar on obesity. Scientists fed male rates a diet high in fat but then gave them 7 ml of apple cider vinegar per kilogram of body weight daily. At the end of one month, the research team measured a significant reduction in the animals’ food consumption and weight. They also discovered that the ACV “lowered blood sugar levels and improved serum lipid profiles by reducing the levels of circulation cholesterol, triglycerides and low-density lipoproteins.”
A 2017 study examined mice on a high-fat diet who were given high doses of palm vinegar (containing 4% acetic acid). The mice consumed less food and decreased their body weight, inflammation and fat deposits. The microbes in their gut also changed.
Other studies looked at the effects of ACV on diabetes. Researchers found evidence that vinegar improves insulin sensitivity in diabetics and people without diabetes. This is likely due to the fact that acetic acid can slow down digestion and reduce carb absorption. The team also found that consuming vinegar before bed may reduce fasting glucose levels in type 2 diabetics.
Risks of apple cider vinegar
Talk to your doctor before taking ACV as it can erode tooth enamel and the esophagus, cause nausea and acid reflux, change your bowel habits, lead to burping and gas, and may cause acute pancreatitis.
