|
Q: Does apple cider
vinegar really promote weight loss?
A: The apple cider vinegar diet has become one of
the latest popular diets. A few studies have shown that consuming
two to four teaspoons of apple cider vinegar along with a meal
of mainly refined carbohydrates appear to produce a smaller than
expected rise in blood sugar and some increased feeling of satiety.
However, no studies document apple cider vinegar’s effectiveness
in promoting weight control. Overall, risks of consuming small
amounts of vinegar every day are probably low but worth consideration.
Vinegar is a relatively strong acid and it could damage tooth
enamel, like soft drinks seem to do. And if you are considering
apple cider vinegar supplements to avoid the taste, be aware
that the ingredients in products vary. Some supplements may not
even contain any vinegar. If you want to give vinegar a try,
a more moderate approach might be to choose vinegar-based salad
dressings rather than creamy salad dressings, since they are
generally healthier anyway. Relatively large swings in blood
sugar can be caused by eating too many refined grains or sweets.
In order to avoid blood sugar swings and aim for better health,
you can limit your portions of these foods. You can also simply
follow the nonvinegar components of the apple cider vinegar diet
– "eat sensibly and exercise regularly" –
which may well be the real reasons for any weight loss achieved
on the diet.
Q: Does diet affect
rheumatoid arthritis?
A: There’s no conclusive evidence that diet can
help but some studies suggest that certain food choices
may reduce inflammation, which plays a role in the pain
and stiffness of rheumatoid arthritis. An abundance of vegetables,
fruits, whole grains and beans throughout the day provide a wide
range of antioxidant nutrients and other compounds that may help
inflammation. The types of fat in your diet can also affect inflammation.
Enjoy fish a few times a week to get the protective omega-3 fats
and limit the vegetable oils loaded with types of polyunsaturated
fat that might increase inflammation. Every bit of excess body
weight adds to the burden carried by your knees and hips, so
if you’ve gained extra body fat, finding a few small cuts
in daily calorie consumption will pay you back many-fold in reduced
pain. If you believe a certain food increases your arthritis
symptoms, try omitting it a few times and keep track of whether
it helps. But if it turns out that you would be excluding an
entire food group or large numbers of foods, consult with a registered
dietitian to make sure you meet your nutritional needs. |
|
Print
Forums
Refer Page
