Does Apple Cider Vinegar Help With Losing Weight?

If weight loss was as simple as drinking a magic potion, we'd take it. Some supporters of folk and alternative medicine believe that by drinking a small amount of apple cider vinegar before a meal, it will burn fat and break down cholesterol in the body, causing weight loss. These claims are unsubstantiated and are not supported by most doctors. Talk to your doctor before using apple cider vinegar to lose weight.

Directions

The apple cider vinegar diet is a popular fad diet that involves making no diet or exercise changes. The only rule of the diet is that you must drink apple cider vinegar before every meal to curb your appetite. The amount of vinegar you take varies depending on the source. Some proponents of the diet recommend drinking 1 to 3 tbsp. of apple cider vinegar before every meal. Another popular variation involves mixing 2 tbsp. apple cider vinegar and 2 tbsp. raw honey in a cup of distilled water, then drinking the mixture before a meal.

Significance

Apple cider vinegar is an acidic liquid that is made from fermented apples. It has a sweeter taste than white vinegar or wine vinegar. Some supporters of the apple cider vinegar diet recommend restricting calories to 1,200 per day in addition to taking apple cider vinegar before meals. The calorie restriction may cause you to lose weight, but it is unlikely that the apple cider vinegar will have any effect. Apple cider vinegar is purported to have vitamins and minerals that will reduce the body's cholesterol level and burn away fat, but these claims are not proven by any reputable source.

Expert Insight

According to Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D. of MayoClinic.com in the article "Apple Cider Vinegar for Weight Loss: Effective?" apple cider vinegar is not unhealthy for most people to consume sparingly, but it probably won't cause weight loss or reduce your appetite. There is no scientific proof that apple cider vinegar burns fat or eliminates cholesterol from the body. In fact, consuming apple cider vinegar by itself on a regular basis may do more harm than good.

Warnings

Because apple cider vinegar is acidic, drinking it on a regular basis without diluting it may cause throat and esophageal irritation. Additionally, apple cider vinegar may cause drug interactions. If you take insulin or diuretic medications, taking apple cider vinegar may prevent potassium from being absorbed in your body. To prevent low potassium levels, stop taking apple cider vinegar immediately. Call your doctor immediately if you notice any side effects from taking apple cider vinegar.