Apple cider vinegar might not be trigger to weight loss
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 2 to 4 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 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. Those wine coolers and hard lemonade beverages don't taste like they contain much alcohol. How much counts as a drink?
A. Many of the drinks commonly known as wine coolers have switched the source of alcohol and are now technically malt coolers.
Brands vary, but many of the popular U.S. choices are about 4 percent ABV (alcohol by volume). That means one 12-ounce bottle counts as one standard alcoholic drink, comparable to a 12-ounce serving of beer. Some coolers contain significantly higher amounts of alcohol, but that information might be difficult to find on the label.
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 manyfold 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.