Apple vinegar is utilized in many home remedies for a variety of conditions. It's often cited as weight-loss tonic. While some research suggests apple vinegar may prevent obesity, the evidence indicating a connection to burning fat is limited. If you wish to burn fat, it's a better idea to adopt a healthy diet and exercise plan than to gulp down vinegar.
Apple Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has a long history of being tied with burning fat and weight loss in general. According to Dr. D.C. Jarvis in his book, "Folk Medicine," drinking a mixture of water and vinegar before each meal can help you to shed pounds. Vinegar contains numerous nutrients, including acetic acid, which is thought to play the largest role in encouraging your body to burn fat, though no studies have been done to prove this.
Acetic Acid
The acetic acid in apple vinegar is thought to help your body get rid of fat. However, it doesn't do this by burning calories or fat. Rather, according to Health Services at Columbia University, acetic acid acts as a diuretic, which merely helps you lose water weight.
According to a 2009 study published in "Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry," researchers at Central Research Institute in Japan found that acetic acid prevented the accumulation of body fat in mice, indicating that further study is needed before the role of acetic acid is completely understood.
Balanced Blood Glucose
Apple vinegar may contribute to weight loss in a small way by regulating blood sugar. According to a study published by the American Diabetes Association, vinegar slows down how much sugar is released from food after you eat, meaning you feel fuller after a meal for longer and experience fewer cravings. This does nothing to burn fat, but if you eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly, you might lose weight a little more easily.
Results
Apple vinegar does not burn fat and its role in encouraging weight loss is minimal as well. Further study is required to fully understand the connection. In the meantime, drinking vinegar is not the best solution, says Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., of MayoClinic.com. In fact, vinegar could cause tooth enamel erosion, esophageal irritation, and drug interactions. Always see a doctor if you're thinking of supplement with vinegar before using it.
References
- "Folk Medicine"; D.C. Jarvis, MD; 1958
- "Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry"; Acetic Acid Upregulates the Expression of Genes for Fatty Acid Oxidation Enzymes in Liver To Suppress Body Fat Accumulation; Tomoo Kondo and collegues; May 2009
- MayoClinic.com; Apple Cider Vinegar for Weight Loss: Effective?; Katherine Zeratsky; April 2010
- Health Services at Columbia; Go Ask Alice!: Apple Cider Vinegar; August 2010
- "DOC News; Vinegar Reduces Postprandial Glycemia and Appetite; B. Goldfarb; Jan. 2006
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