The You Docs: Can balsamic vinegar bring weight and blood sugar down?

Q: Is apple cider vinegar the only vinegar that works for stabilizing blood sugar and cutting appetite?

CANDY, Harrisburg, S.D.

A: It doesn't seem to matter which vinegar - white, apple cider or even red raspberry - you use. What's critical is that you use vinegar that has 5 percent acidity (acidity is typically marked on the label). The waist benefits of vinegar come from its acetic acid. In balsamic vinegar, it's masked by a sweet taste, but it's there. Trust us, we're docs.

The anti-glycemic effect is greater the more vinegar you consume: The bare minimum for lowering your blood sugar is 1 to 2 tablespoons. It's not the most chuggable liquid, so we think the best delivery system is as a salad dressing. Mix your favorite vinegar with olive oil at a 2:1 (vinegar to oil) ratio, and serve with mixed leafy greens, crucifers like watercress and arugula, and other veggies.

Q: What healthy cereal can I eat that has no soy? I am allergic to it, and I've spent hours in the grocery store looking for products that don't contain it.

BECKY, Bloomington, Ill.

A: We're sorry you're allergic to soy, but that doesn't have to be a cereal killer. You could eat like a baby: Some cereals made for infants and toddlers are soy-free, as are oatmeal and the creamy wheat and rice hot cereals. Otherwise, you're likely to find soy-free cereals in health- or organic-food stores. But beware: Soy goes by more names than a conman. Here are some of the terms that will tell you whether a cereal or another food has nestled up with a bean: glycine max, hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP), textured vegetable protein (TVP), lecithin, miso, mono-diglyceride, monosodium glutamate (MSG), natto, tempeh, tofu, vegetable oil, vegetable gum, vegetable starch and soybean oil. Any product that contains "flavorings" or "natural flavorings" also might contain soy. If you have a question, contact the manufacturer.

Q: I have arthritis, and I read somewhere that I should not eat green peppers, potatoes or tomatoes with this ailment. Then I read an article that said this is a myth. Which is correct?

ANONYMOUS

A: It's a myth for most arthritis forms. There are no convincing studies that eliminating the nightshade family of plants (potatoes, tomatoes and green peppers) improves rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis symptoms consistently. But such denizens of the night might affect gout. Some people with arthritis may have specific food allergies that might contribute to pain and stiffness, but the usual culprits are meat, milk and processed foods (add red wine as something to avoid if gout riddles your joints). You can determine if a certain food is bothering you by going on an elimination diet - passing on potential bad guys for a couple of weeks to see if there's a change in how you feel.

Adding certain foods to your diet, on the other hand, may subtract some arthritis ache. For instance, a Mediterranean diet, bountiful in all kinds of fruits and veggies including nightshades, fish, nuts and olive oil, reduces most joint pain and stiffness. The thinking: The monounsaturated fats in fish, nuts and olive oil throw a figurative bucket of ice on the inflammation that causes the damage and pain of arthritis. In fact, a 2003 Swedish study of people with arthritis found that those who switched to the Mediterranean eating plan had less inflammation and regained some physical function as a result. (Being rigid about it may make you looser.) The diet doesn't take the place of medications that can halt the progression of the disease, reduce pain and increase mobility. But it's a delicious way to supplement your medicines and help yourself feel younger.

The You Docs - Mike Roizen and Mehmet Oz - are authors of the best-selling "You: Having a Baby." To submit questions and for more info, go to www.RealAge.com.