Do you know how many Americans love the refreshing juice of lemonade? This is how people in Korea feel about a sweet and sour drink made with pomegranate juice and vinegar. But these are actually much more beneficial for your health than our classic lemon blend – and can even help you lose weight.
Here's why you might want to try this drink: When Korean researchers recently asked overweight women to drink two pomegranate vinegar co*cktails daily, volunteers saw a significant amount of belly fat melt away, even though they weren't dieting.not at all. The researchers note that previous studies on pomegranate vinegar have shown similar results, and now the evidence is strong. “Pomegranate vinegarreduces the accumulation of abdominal fat”, they say, and even suggest that it has an “anti-obesity effect”.
Readers who have tried pomegranate vinegar vouch for this. Even if you only half-heartedly try to eat better, "You can lose a pound a day," says Chicago mom Heidi Hedstrom, 41, who tested the tonic recipe. “It put me back in my skinny jeans!”
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How much does a pomegranate vinegar drink cost - which is usually made with approxtablespoon of vinegar, a shot of pomegranate juice, 8 to 12 ounces of water or sparkling water and a little sweetener – that special? Separate research has identified compounds in both vinegar and pomegranate that help speed up excess flabbiness. All told, "They appear to reinforce each other's benefits, especially in terms of belly fat," notes Michelle Schoffro Cook, PhD, author of60 Seconds to Slim Down: Balance Your Body Chemistry to Burn Fat Fast!(Buy on Amazon, $12.44).Here's what you can expect if you drink two pomegranate vinegar tonics a day.
Pomegranate vinegar diet for belly fat
When researchers started looking for reasons why pomegranate vinegar strengthens our stomach, they discovered that it activates an enzyme called AMPK. “AMPK activation is like flipping the switch to startburn fat for energyin individual cells,” explains Arizona State vinegar researcher Carol Johnston, PhD. And although we benefit from everything, the high concentration of fat cells in our abdomen causes this area to shrink the most.
According to findings from the state of Arizona, consuming vinegar with meals can reduce blood sugar spikes by up to 54 percent. And stable blood sugar levels mean that we produce much less insulin – a hormone that stores excess calories as belly fat. The role of pomegranate? It also helps keep blood sugar levels stable. “Ending sugar highs is a double win, because less insulin means we store less new belly fatInreleases existing belly fat more easily,” says Schoffro Cook.
When blood sugar levels are better controlled, hunger and cravings decrease, Johnston confirms. Additionally, thanks to the antioxidants from pomegranate, pom vinegar improves the levels ofsulthormoon, leptine.
Researchers have known for years that the acetic acid in vinegar causes our liver to accelerate fat breakdown. What surprised them? When seven vinegar drinks were tested, pomegranate vinegar was by far the most powerful: standout vinegar mixed with cherries, ginseng and even blueberries. Experts have found that four different compounds in pomegranate – including two that have never been identified before – speed up the action of acetic acid.
The pomegranate vinegar diet for weight loss
How Much Weight Can Pomegranate Cider Vinegar Help You Lose? Research on vinegar alone shows that non-dieters lose an average of half a pound per week. Meanwhile, readers who drank pom vinegar tonics while enjoying unlimited healthy food lost a jeans size in seven days. “I love that this works with regular, cheap food,” said Canadian mother Jenise Hollaar, 25, who zapped more than two inches from her waist. Bookkeeper Lisa Bonenfant, 43, from Connecticut, was also impressed. "My usual endless cravings were almost non-existent. And I lost two inches off my stomach and nine inches in total." Then there's Cindy Zimmer, who spent time in Korea and learned about the benefits of vinegar drinks. “I was happy when I found it in my local Korean supermarket,” says the Canadian authorlose 10 pounds quickly, "I turn to the pomegranate vinegar. It works like a charm."
How to make pomegranate vinegar diet drink?
Although Amazon sells ready-to-use concentrates, like this one from Di Nirgis (Buy on Amazon, $6.99), it's easy to make your own pom vinegar drink. Just mix 1 tbsp. white vinegar (containing at least 5 percent acetic acid), 2 oz. pure pomegranate juice, 8 to 12 oz. water or seltzer, and a little zero-cal sweetener to taste. Serve on ice. For best results, enjoy it before, during or immediately after two meals a day.
While pomegranate vinegar tonics have been proven to help melt away belly fat, whether you're dieting or not, combining the drink with a healthy diet will speed up results. That's why our nutrition team has put together this stress-free sample menu. It is intended as inspiration, not as a strict diet. So make sure you have healthy substitutions or additions that you like. But pay attention to your body and stop eating if you feel full quickly. To protect tooth enamel, drink the poma vinegar diluted in at least 8 oz. liquid and consume no more than 4 tablespoons. pure vinegar per day. Make sure you drink enough water in addition to tonic water. Note: As always, ask a doctor for permission to try a new plan.
Pomegranate Vinegar Diet Menu Plan
Drink a tonic with pomegranate vinegar before, during or after two meals every day. Because pomegranate vinegar works without a special diet, there are no specific dietary guidelines to follow. Do you want to boost results? Experts say you should build most meals and snacks around healthy options like fiber-rich whole grains, ultra-filling lean proteins and plenty of antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables.
Breakfast: Choose one daily
Option 1:Unlimited whole grains, such as Kashi's Dark Cocoa Karma Shredded Wheat (Buy on Amazon, $18.96). Unlimited 1% milk. Unlimited berries.
Option 2:1 Starbucks Spinach & Feta wrap or unlimited protein stirred with vegetables and cheese. 1 piece of fruit.
Lunch: Choose one daily
Option 1:Grilled chicken fillet, shrimp or tuna with unlimited green salads, vinaigrette. Fruit or light yogurt.
Option 2:Any skinny Subway sandwich. Apple slices or light yogurt.
Dinner: Choose one daily
Option 1:Easy Chicken Parm: Slice fried chicken breast, cover with low-sugar sauce and a little Parmesan cheese; fry or melt in the microwave; serve with whole wheat pasta. Large side of steamed broccoli or green beans with lemon and herbs.
Option 2:Stuffed eggs made with low-fat mayonnaise. Grilled or rotisserie chicken. Green beans and corn.
Option 3:Extra lean burger on a whole wheat thin bun or in a whole wheat pita bread. Slice of cheese, mustard, lettuce, tomato, pickle. Side salad, 1 tsp. olive oil or 2 tsp. vinaigrette.
Snack: Choose one daily
Option 1:Low-fat ice cream.
Option 2:Low-fat cheese stick. 1 glass of red wine.
Option 3:Handful of nuts. Fresh fruit or vegetables.
Pomegranate Cider Vinegar Diet co*cktail Recipes
Do you like cosmos and margaritas? They are tastier – and healthier – with poma vinegar!
From New York City to Los Angeles and Portland, the trendiest bars are adding flavored vinegar to their co*cktails. Great bonus: Each glass offers the same health-promoting and waistline-reducing properties as virgin vinegar drinks. Options to try with bottled pomegranate vinegar:
Pumpkin vinegar
Shake 2 oz. tequila, 1 oz. undiluted poma vinegar and 1 oz. fresh lime juice with ice and pour into a margarita glass.
Pomegranate wine and gin
Top of 1 1/2 oz. gin, 1 oz. undiluted pom vinegar and a squeeze of lime with ice and soda or tonic.
Pom Vinegar Cosmo
Mix 2 oz in a well-frozen martini shaker. vodka, 1 1/2 oz. undiluted pom vinegar, 1 tbsp. Cointreau or simple syrup and 1 dash of orange bitters. Serve with ice in a martini glass. Garnish with a twist.
