Vinegar is an ingredient in culinary dishes, as well as homemade cleaning products. Apple cider vinegar is a substance some dieters use in an attempt to promote weight loss. There is no evidence that vinegar is useful in helping you lose weight. Although consuming small amounts on an occasional basis is safe for most people, drinking large amounts, especially without diluting it, may pose problems.
Dietary Claims
Vinegar, especially apple cider vinegar, is a main ingredient in some fad diets. While some diet plans use vinegar in pill or powder form, others use the liquid vinegar. Proponents of the vinegar diet claim that taking vinegar before a meal may help curb your appetite and cause you to burn more calories. Some diet plans use vinegar in concoctions that include other ingredients, while others may recommend you take vinegar by the spoonfuls without adding other substances or diluting it in water.
Dangers
Drinking apple cider vinegar before meals is unlikely to help you meet your weight loss goals. Apple cider vinegar is acidic. Drinking undiluted vinegar may irritate your throat and erode the enamel on your teeth. Apple cider vinegar may also interact with prescription medications, such as insulin and diuretics, regardless of whether you drink it straight or diluted in water or other liquids. Drinking too much may also increase your risk of developing low potassium levels.
Remedy
In addition to being a popular weight loss ingredient, vinegar is also a substance in some home remedies. It provides a traditional remedy for the treatment of food poisoning, although more research is necessary to confirm these benefits. For this type of remedy, the University of Maryland Medical Center recommends mixing 2 tsp. of apple cider vinegar into a cup of warm water and sipping it throughout the day.
Considerations
While vinegar is an inexpensive ingredient and a popular substance in some fad diets and home remedies, drinking too much or taking it straight may cause more problems than it solves. Talk to your doctor about proven methods of treatment for medical conditions, including obesity and food poisoning. Although drinking vinegar may seem like a simple way to bypass diet and exercise, it is unlikely to provide any weight loss benefits.
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