Apple Cider Vinegar vs Metformin for blood sugar
Short answer: For blood sugar, more users report improvement with Apple Cider Vinegar — 100% of 5 reports, versus 95% of 20 for Metformin.
Apple Cider Vinegar has 6 meta-analyses and 5 randomized trials on PubMed; Metformin has 1,367 and 3,450.
Based on 51 reports about Apple Cider Vinegar and 157 about Metformin. Not medical advice.
| Apple Cider Vinegar Supplement | Metformin Medication | |
|---|---|---|
| User score | 55 | 43 |
| Verdict | Mostly positive | Mixed |
| Positive of reports that state an outcome | 84% | 29% |
| Reports | 51 | 157 |
| Research | BResearch: Moderate | AResearch: Strong |
| Meta-analyses / RCTs | 6 / 5 | 1,367 / 3,450 |
| Mainly used for | ||
| Weight loss % reporting improvement | — | 90% (10) |
| Appetite % reporting improvement | 100% (2) | 100% (2) |
| Focus % reporting improvement | 100% (2) | 67% (3) |
| Energy % reporting improvement | 75% (4) | 40% (10) |
| Sleep % reporting improvement | 100% (2) | 100% (2) |
| Mood % reporting improvement | — | 50% (2) |
| Memory % reporting improvement | — | 100% (2) |
| Performance % reporting improvement | — | 0% (15) |
| Digestion % reporting improvement | 83% (6) | 29% (7) |
| Hormones % reporting improvement | — | 40% (5) |
| Blood sugar % reporting improvement | 100% (5) | 95% (20) |
| Longevity % reporting improvement | — | 100% (8) |
| Common side effects | stomach issues | stomach issues, diarrhea, b12 depletion, nausea |
| Typical dose reported | 2 tbsp | 250-1500 mg / daily |
We found a significant favorable effect of ACV consumption on FPG and blood lipid levels.
BMC Complement Med Ther, 2021 ↗“Apple Cider Vinegar and water. It's changed my gut health for the better.”
The choice of metformin or COCP treatment should be based on symptoms, noting some biochemical benefits from combination treatment targeting both major endocrine disturbances seen in PCOS (hyperinsulinemia and hyperandrogenism).
J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 2024 ↗“Metformin currently has enough data for me personally to feel comfortable not only taking it myself (and my wife), but also recommending it to my patients.”
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Percentages come from first-hand user reports and are not clinical outcomes. Talk to a doctor before starting, stopping or combining anything. How we rate