Apple cider vinegar gives salad dressings and marinades a tart, sweet flavor, but it's not a factor in weight loss. Although some holistic healers recommend drinking apple cider vinegar to burn fat and suppress the appetite, it is not scientifically or medically proven to be effective. Talk to your doctor before making any changes in your diet, especially if you have allergies or health problems.
Nutrition Facts
Apple cider vinegar is a tart liquid made from fermented apples. Just 1 tbsp. of apple cider vinegar contains no calories and no fat, so adding it to your diet will probably not cause weight gain -- but it won't cause weight loss either. Apple cider vinegar is a common ingredient in salad dressings, marinades and condiments like ketchup and mustard, giving these foods a sweet and acidic flavor.
Vinegar Diet
The origin of the apple cider vinegar diet is unknown, but one of the first mentions of apple cider vinegar as a weight-loss aid is traced back to holistic healer Dr. D. C. Jarvis's book, "Folk Medicine," first published in 1958. In his book, Jarvis recommends drinking 1 to 3 tbsp. apple cider vinegar about half an hour before eating each meal. The vinegar purportedly suppresses the appetite and burns fat.
Results
Although supporters of the diet have reported weight loss after drinking apple cider vinegar before meals, the diet is not scientifically proven to work, notes Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D. in the MayoClinic.com article "Apple Cider Vinegar for Weight Loss: Effective?" Although drinking small portions of apple cider vinegar before meals is not likely to cause weight loss, it may cause serious medical complications if you consume it regularly.
Risks
Drinking apple cider vinegar occasionally will probably have no effect, but consuming it on a regular basis may cause stomach and esophageal irritation. Apple cider vinegar is acidic, and drinking it before each meal may irritate the stomach, throat and esophageal lining. Additionally, apple cider vinegar may cause serious interactions with some medications, like insulin and diuretics. Drinking apple cider vinegar while taking these drugs may cause a potassium deficiency, which may affect your health. Instead of relying on a quick fix to lose weight, eat healthy food and exercise regularly to lose weight the healthy way.
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