Vinegar and cider pills as dietary supplements and their liquid form cousins have been getting a lot of media attention lately. Even though apple cider vinegar diets have been around for decades, the science behind how vinegar actually works had not been studied in any detail until the turn of the century. Scientists believe that the acetic acid found in vinegar and cider pills is responsible for the positive dieting results many have spoken about.
History
Although vinegar has been used since the time of Babylon some 7,000 years ago, its use for medicinal purposes wasn't widely known until Hippocrates began using apple cider vinegar in 400 BC to treat wounds and alleviate the symptoms of a cold. Vinegar's use as a dietary aid gained popularity in the 1950s when Dr. D.C. Jarvis published his book, "Folk Medicine." Since that time, vinegar has been the object of study by researchers to determine if any of the "folksy" claims hold any water.
Research Studies
Vinegar research by the Central Research Institute of the Mizkan Group has shown promising results in fatty acid oxidation, burning of calories and increased metabolism. A study done at Isfahan University in Iran showed that vinegar may be responsible for lowering low-density lipoprotein, LDL, levels in rats. In other words, vinegar may reduce a person's bad cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease. Studies done at Arizona State University and Lund University of Sweden show that apple cider vinegar reduces a person's blood glucose level along with suppressing appetite.
Added Benefits
Aside from the Mizkan Group's statements that vinegar can reduce fat deposits and increase metabolism, vinegar has been thought to improve digestion, increase alkaline levels in the blood and improve vitality. According to the Nobel Prize winning Krebs Theory, vinegar improves the body's ability to process foods by completing the acetic acid cycle, which is necessary for culling energy, vitamins and minerals from foods. Doctors Krebs and Lipman won the Nobel honor in 1953 for clarifying how ATP, adenocine triphosphate, is created in the body and how it burns calories, increasing energy levels by utilizing acetic acid, the primary component of vinegar pills.
Considerations
A 2007 study at the University of Arkansas states that vinegar pills, including apple cider vinegar pills, are to be used and viewed with skepticism. The study found that of the eight different brands of vinegar pills tested, there was a significant difference in acetic acid content along with variations in vitamin and mineral content. One brand of pills tested contained mold and yeast. Dr. Jerry Foote, the study's leader, states that thorough research should be done by the consumer before purchasing an apple cider vinegar supplement. Dr. Foote further states that because of the reliability issues pertaining to vinegar supplements, liquid apple cider vinegar is a better choice, not only for content but for cost efficacy.
Side Effects
Two of the most common side effects of apple cider vinegar pills are damage to the esophagus and stomach lining. Although the esophageal damage is rare, it is usually caused by a pill becoming lodged in the esophagus and localized release of vinegar's acetic acid or stomach lining damage due to overdose. Low potassium levels, osteoporosis and kidney damage can be caused by ingesting apple cider vinegar pills as well, usually as a result of misuse or overdose.
Theories/Speculation
Although there have been several studies showing vinegar benefits, there have very few to actually prove that apple cider vinegar has any weight loss benefits at all. Opponents of vinegar pill diets, such as the Mayo Clinic's Katherine Zeratsky, RD, state that the only reason the diets work is because of significantly lower food and caloric intake and an increase in physical activity. Although research performed on rodents has shown great promise in overall fat reduction from an increased intake of vinegar, no human studies have scientifically supported vinegar and cider pill diet claims of effortless weight loss.
References
- "Folk Medicine;" D.C. Jarvis, MD; 1953
- Enzyme Facts: Vinegar History
- Food Navigator USA: Could Vinegar Be Natural Fat Fighter?
- Lipid World: Acute Effects of Vinegar Intake on Some Biochemical Risk Factors of Atherosclerosis in Hypercholesterolemic Rabbits; M. Setorki, et al; Jan, 2010
- European Journal of Clinical Nutrition: Vinegar Supplementation Lowers Glucose and Insulin Responses and Increases Satiety after a Bread Meal in Healthy Subjects; E. --stman et al.; 2005
- Naturo Doc: Vinegar for a Longer and Happier Life
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