Raw Apple Cider Vinegar Weight Loss Diet

Raw Apple Cider Vinegar Weight Loss Diet
Photo Credit Andrea Bricco/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images

Raw apple cider vinegar is made from apples that are fermented in a wooden barrel. This is not the clear vinegar you buy in grocery stores. This is natural organic vinegar with a brownish tint to it that has floating matter within the liquid that is formed by pectin and apple residue. Known by the name of "mother," this residue contains a large amount of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.

Rationale

Several theories support the proposition that raw apple cider vinegar can help you lose weight One theory is that apple cider vinegar helps balance blood sugar levels, lowering the glycemic index of a meal and thereby promoting weight loss. Another theory is that drinking small amounts of apple cider vinegar before a meal makes you feel full more quickly and satiates your hunger.

Speculation

Less likely theories exist for the notion that raw apple cider vinegar can help you lose weight. Even though apple cider vinegar is acidic, one notion is that it actually makes the body more alkaline, which some believe might support weight loss. Others believe that by fighting candida overgrowth in the stomach, apple cider vinegar makes it easier to lose weight. Some speculation centers on apple cider vinegar speeding up your metabolism.

Effectiveness

Natural News states that raw apple cider vinegar is no "magic pill" for weight loss. The MayoClinic.com is more straightforward. Nutritionist Katherine Zeratsky says that apple cider vinegar "isn't likely to be effective" for weight loss. While proponents think it might curb appetite or burn fat, Zeransky states that little scientific evidence supports such a view.

The Basics

MayoClinic.com's Zeratsky preaches the basics. No magic bullets exist for weight loss -- healthful foods such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean proteins, along with exercise, is the way to go.

Considerations

Although Zeratsky says that occasional use of apple cider vinegar is safe for most people, it is highly acidic and can irritate the throat. In addition, raw or regular apple cider vinegar can interact with supplements and drugs, including diuretics and insulin. This could result in dangerously low potassium levels. Even if raw apple cider vinegar won't help you lose weight, some health benefits might arise from its use. Some evidence suggests that apple cider vinegar can help with free radical damage and high blood pressure.

References

Article reviewed by Kirk Ericson Last updated on: Jun 14, 2011

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