Lower Your Blood Sugar and Lose Stubborn Belly Fat on This 7-Day Cleanse
A smaller waistline is just days away.
Women of all ages are buzzing about an exciting detox that has them dropping 15, 17, even 24 pounds. The secret driving these incredible results? A pennies-a-day pantry staple!
“I’ve found new and better ways to use apple cider vinegar to speed off weight and turbocharge health,” reveals nutritionist and frequent Dr. Oz Show guest JJ Smith, whose posts on the topic have garnered more than 18 million hits. Smith says she was inspired by recent scientific research and, after experimenting, hit on a regimen of meals that dramatically increase vinegar’s impact. “I’m convinced this is the absolute fastest way to slim down and still feel amazing,” says Smith, whose 7-Day Apple Cider Vinegar Cleanse ($10.09, Amazon) is already a bestseller. “You get more benefits in a week than other detoxes deliver in months!”
Used as a remedy since ancient times, apple cider vinegar (also called ACV) is made by fermenting crushed apples with probiotics that turn the fruit’s sugar into acetic acid. Dozens of strains of beneficial bacteria remain in the vinegar and help work magic. “But acetic acid is the real star,” notes Smith.
Studies show the compound can do everything from lower cholesterol to disinfect burns and detox the liver. And if you’re after a smaller waistline, Japanese scientists found that daily doses of diluted vinegar — either taken before a meal or before bed — react with body chemistry in a way that reduces body fat overall and even targets stubborn belly fat, increasing total weight loss by 400 percent or more. And it works even if you don’t diet!
ACV and Weight Loss
“There are so many ways acetic acid helps get you slim,” says Smith. She cites research that found it stimulates the production of metabolism-speeding enzymes. There’s also a Swedish study that shows acetic acid flips switches that make us feel full for so long that we automatically eat 1,900 fewer calories a week.
But perhaps apple cider vinegar’s greatest strength is its impact on blood sugar. “A number of studies suggest that vinegar might prevent spikes in blood sugar in people with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes by blocking starch absorption,” according to Harvard researcher Robert H. Shmerling, M.D. In fact, Arizona State testing shows it blunts sugar spikes by up to 64 percent.
Not only can this prevent and even reverse diabetes, it helps control cravings and improve levels of insulin, a hormone that tends to malfunction in fattening ways as we age. “The healthier we can keep our blood-sugar and insulin levels, the more fat we burn and the more weight we lose,” says Smith. She recommends two to three servings of vinegar a day, either mixed in water or salad dressing.
The 7-Day Apple Cider Vinegar Cleanse
Like vinegar itself, Smith’s new eating plan takes aim at blood sugar and insulin. Inspired by USC research, “My cleanse keeps calories down and focuses on healthy plant-based fat and fiber,” she says. “The science tells us this delivers therapeutic benefits of fasting — which is the ultimate way to keep blood sugar and insulin low — while you’re still consuming food.”
Smith has been shocked by how well the one-two punch of apple cider vinegar and fast-mimicking meals work. “Every day, I get new messages about people losing huge amounts,” she says. The best part: “This detox is good for your blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, digestive tract, and much more. It’s not just fast weight loss. In one week, you can reverse many of the health problems dragging you down. You’re also fixing issues that caused you to gain in the first place, so it’s much easier to stay lean after the detox ends!”
Your Sample Day
Prepare to feel incredibly full and energized as pounds disappear very quickly.
Breakfast — 2 eggs with veggies, 1⁄4 avocado, 1 Tbs. olive oil, 1 Tbs. apple cider vinegar and pinch salt; coffee or tea (nondairy creamer and stevia optional)
Lunch — Large bowl of baby spinach topped with 1⁄2 oz. chopped nuts, 1⁄4 cup berries, 1 Tbs. apple cider vinegar, 1 Tbs. olive oil and seasoning to taste.
Snack — Sip 8 oz. reduced-sodium V8 juice or tomato juice and crunch on 2 oz. macadamia nuts (about 24 nuts; divide into multiple sittings, if desired).
Dinner — 1–2 cups non-starchy veggies simmered in 2–3 cups bone broth; top with a swirl of olive oil and enjoy with a small serving of berries on the side.
Apple Cider Vinegar Drink Recipe for Weight Loss
Enjoy this drink 1–2 times a day, either before a meal or at bedtime.
Ingredients
- 8-12 oz. water or brewed herbal tea (hot or chilled)
- 2 Tbs. raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar, such as Bragg’s or White House Dash of cayenne pepper Squeeze of fresh lemon Stevia to taste (optional)
Instructions
Combine all ingredients, stir and drink. For best results, check labels and choose apple cider vinegar that contains “the Mother” — bits of fermented apple rich in fat-fighting enzymes. Note: To protect tooth enamel, experts say we must always dilute vinegar before drinking.
This article originally appeared in our print magazine.
