The Times Australia
The Times World News

.

An apple cider vinegar drink a day? New study shows it might help weight loss

  • Written by Evangeline Mantzioris, Program Director of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Accredited Practising Dietitian, University of South Australia
An apple cider vinegar drink a day? New study shows it might help weight loss

Made from fermented apples and naturally high in acetic acid, apple cider vinegar has been popular in recent years for its purported health benefits[1] – from antibacterial properties to antioxidant effects and potential for helping manage blood sugars.

Its origins as a health tonic[2] stretch much further back. Hippocrates used it to treat wounds, fever and skin sores.

An experimental study[3], released today, looks into whether apple cider vinegar could be effective for weight loss, reduce blood glucose levels and reduce blood lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides).

The results suggest it could reduce all three – but it might not be as simple as downing an apple cider vinegar drink a day.

Read more: Is apple cider vinegar really a wonder food?[4]

What did they do?

A group of scientists in Lebanon did a double-blinded, randomised, clinical trial in a group of overweight and obese young people aged from 12–25 years.

Researchers randomly placed 30 participants in one of four groups. The participants were instructed to consume either 5, 10 or 15ml of apple cider vinegar diluted into 250ml of water each morning before they ate anything for 12 weeks. A control group consumed an inactive drink (a placebo) made (from lactic acid added to water) to look and taste the same.

Typically this sort of study provides high quality evidence[5] as it can show cause and effect – that is the intervention (apple cider vinegar in this case) leads to a certain outcome. The study was also double-blinded, which means neither the participants or the scientists involved with collecting the data knew who was in which group.

So, what did they find?

After a period of three months apple cider vinegar consumption was linked with significant falls in body weight and body mass index (BMI). On average, those who drank apple cider vinegar during that period lost 6–8kg in weight and reduced their BMI by 2.7–3 points, depending on the dose. They also showed significant decreases in the waist and hip circumference.

The authors also report significant decreases in levels of blood glucose, triglycerides, and cholesterol in the apple cider groups. This finding echoes previous studies[6]. The placebo group, who were given water with lactic acid, had much smaller decreases in weight and BMI. There were also no significant decreases in blood glucose and blood lipids.

From animal studies, it is thought the acetic acid in apple cider vinegar may affect the expression of genes involved in burning fats for energy[7]. The new study did not explore whether this mechanism was involved in any weight loss.

Is this good news?

While the study appears promising, there are also reasons for caution.

Firstly, study participants were aged from 12 to 25, so we can’t say whether the results could apply to everyone.

The statistical methods used in the study don’t allow us to confidently say the same amount of weight loss would occur again if the study was done again.

And while the researchers kept records of the participants’ diet and exercise during the study, these were not published in the paper. This makes it difficult to determine if diet or exercise may have had an impact. We don’t know whether participants changed the amount they ate or the types of food they ate, or whether they changed their exercise levels.

The study used a placebo which they tried to make identical in appearance and taste to the active treatment. But people may still be able to determine differences. Researchers may ask participants[8] at the end of a study to guess which group they were in to test the integrity of the placebo. Unfortunately this was not done in this study, so we can’t be certain if the participants knew or not.

Finally, the authors do not report whether anyone dropped out of the study. This could be important and influence results if people who did not lose weight quit due to lack of motivation.

open glass of liquid with cloudy substance at bottom, surrounded by apples
Is that you mother? The enzymes in apple cider vinegar might be health-giving. Shutterstock[9]

Read more: Turns out the viral 'Sleepy Girl Mocktail' is backed by science. Should you try it?[10]

Any other concerns?

Apple cider vinegar is acidic and there are concerns it may erode tooth enamel. This can be a problem with any acidic beverages, including fizzy drinks, lemon water[11] and orange juice.

To minimise the risk of acid erosion[12] some dentists recommend the following after drinking acidic drinks:

  • rinsing out your mouth with tap water afterwards
  • chewing sugar-free gum afterwards to stimulate saliva production
  • avoiding brushing your teeth immediately after drinking because it might damage the teeth’s softened top layer
  • drink with a straw to minimise contact with the teeth.
woman holds glass of water and has full cheeks Rinsing with water could prevent acid damaging your teeth. Shutterstock[13]

Read more: Apple cider vinegar: is drinking this popular home remedy bad for your teeth? A dentist explains[14]

Down the hatch?

This study provides us with some evidence of a link between apple cider vinegar and weight loss. But before health professionals can recommend this as a weight loss strategy we need bigger and better conducted studies across a wider age range.

Such research would need to be done alongside a controlled background diet and exercise across all the participants. This would provide more robust evidence that apple cider vinegar could be a useful aid for weight loss.

Still, if you don’t mind the taste of apple cider vinegar then you could try drinking some for weight loss, alongside a healthy balanced and varied dietary intake[15]. This study does not suggest people can eat whatever they like and drink apple cider vinegar as a way to control weight.

Read more: Great time to try: pickling[16]

References

  1. ^ purported health benefits (www.healthline.com)
  2. ^ origins as a health tonic (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  3. ^ study (nutrition.bmj.com)
  4. ^ Is apple cider vinegar really a wonder food? (theconversation.com)
  5. ^ high quality evidence (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  6. ^ previous studies (link.springer.com)
  7. ^ genes involved in burning fats for energy (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  8. ^ Researchers may ask participants (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  9. ^ Shutterstock (www.shutterstock.com)
  10. ^ Turns out the viral 'Sleepy Girl Mocktail' is backed by science. Should you try it? (theconversation.com)
  11. ^ lemon water (theconversation.com)
  12. ^ acid erosion (theconversation.com)
  13. ^ Shutterstock (www.shutterstock.com)
  14. ^ Apple cider vinegar: is drinking this popular home remedy bad for your teeth? A dentist explains (theconversation.com)
  15. ^ healthy balanced and varied dietary intake (www.eatforhealth.gov.au)
  16. ^ Great time to try: pickling (theconversation.com)

Read more https://theconversation.com/an-apple-cider-vinegar-drink-a-day-new-study-shows-it-might-help-weight-loss-225567

Times Magazine

What AI Adoption Means for the Future of Workplace Risk Management

Image by freepik As industrial operations become more complex and fast-paced, the risks faced by workers and employers alike continue to grow. Traditional safety models—reliant on manual oversight, reactive investigations, and standardised checklist...

From Beach Bops to Alpine Anthems: Your Sonos Survival Guide for a Long Weekend Escape

Alright, fellow adventurers and relaxation enthusiasts! So, you've packed your bags, charged your devices, and mentally prepared for that glorious King's Birthday long weekend. But hold on, are you really ready? Because a true long weekend warrior kn...

Effective Commercial Pest Control Solutions for a Safer Workplace

Keeping a workplace clean, safe, and free from pests is essential for maintaining productivity, protecting employee health, and upholding a company's reputation. Pests pose health risks, can cause structural damage, and can lead to serious legal an...

The Science Behind Reverse Osmosis and Why It Matters

What is reverse osmosis? Reverse osmosis (RO) is a water purification process that removes contaminants by forcing water through a semi-permeable membrane. This membrane allows only water molecules to pass through while blocking impurities such as...

Foodbank Queensland celebrates local hero for National Volunteer Week

Stephen Carey is a bit bananas.   He splits his time between his insurance broker business, caring for his young family, and volunteering for Foodbank Queensland one day a week. He’s even run the Bridge to Brisbane in a banana suit to raise mon...

Senior of the Year Nominations Open

The Allan Labor Government is encouraging all Victorians to recognise the valuable contributions of older members of our community by nominating them for the 2025 Victorian Senior of the Year Awards.  Minister for Ageing Ingrid Stitt today annou...

The Times Features

How to Tell If Your Eyes Are Working Harder Than They Should Be

Image by freepik Most of us take our vision for granted—until it starts to let us down. Whether it's squinting at your phone, rubbing your eyes at the end of the day, or feeling ...

Ways to Attract Tenants in a Competitive Rental Market

In the kind of rental market we’ve got now, standing out is half the battle. The other half? Actually getting someone to sign that lease. With interest rates doing backflips and ...

Top Tips for Finding the Ideal Block to Build Your Home

There’s something deeply personal and exciting about building your own home. You’re not just choosing paint colours or furniture, you’re creating a space that reflects your lifes...

The Home Buying Process Explained Step by Step

Buying a home is a thrilling milestone, but it can also feel like navigating a maze without a map. With paperwork, finances, and decisions at every turn, understanding the home-b...

Thinking of Selling Your Home? Here’s What You Need to Know

Selling a home is more than just putting up a “For Sale” sign. It’s a strategic process that involves preparation, pricing, and negotiation - all aimed at getting the best value ...

Smart Ways to Earn Passive Income from Real Estate

Imagine making money without doing much work. You get paid even while you sleep, travel, or do fun things. This is called passive income. Indeed, real estate has great ways to do...