The vinegar diet for weight loss has been touted as a fad diet by most and proclaimed as a miracle by many people. The vinegar diet consists of using apple cider vinegar in order to help the body lose weight. Here is a review of the vinegar diet, the pros and cons of its use and precautions that you will want to heed.
Identification
According to X Timeline, the vinegar and water diet has been around since the 1820s and was made popular by Lord Byron. Today, scientists believe that although the acetic acid in vinegar may be helpful to the body, they cannot find evidence that it assists with weight loss. It is more commonly known as the apple vinegar diet and, regardless of lacking scientific evidence, remains active among dieters. An apple cider vinegar diet consists of taking 1 to 3 tbsp. of apple cider vinegar before meals.
Why Apple Cider Vinegar?
The Global Healing Center claims that apple cider vinegar has health proponents that other vinegars lack because it is made from organically grown apples and retains much of the fruits' beneficial properties. Raw apple cider vinegar is not pasteurized. It does go through two fermentation processes producing enzymes and life-giving nutrients. Global Healing Center says that the acidity of the vinegar makes it impossible for bad bacteria to corrupt the benefits of the raw vinegar.
Pros
Experts at Home Remedies Web, claim that apple cider vinegar cleanses and restores nutrients to the body and is a natural stimulant for vitality. According to proponents of apple cider vinegar, advantages range from helping with bad breath and cellulite to assisting with major illnesses like diabetes. In addition, apple cider vinegar is inexpensive and has no apparent side effects.
Cons
The taste and the smell seem to be at the top of the list of cons for people taking apple cider vinegar. Many mix the vinegar with honey and warm water in order to make it more palatable. Others simply buy apple cider vinegar tablets or capsules, which are available at health food stores or natural food stores. There is no clear evidence, scientific or otherwise, that shows any consistent results of using apple cider vinegar for weight loss. Like any other fad diet option, if weight loss happens it may be short-lived. Experts agree that long-term lifestyle and diet changes are necessary to affect permanent weight loss.
Precautions
If you have any health related issues, speak with your physician prior to making any changes to your diet, including the adding of natural supplements. The main ingredient in vinegar is acetic acid, formed when certain bacteria oxidize ethyl alcohol. Acetic acid has been used as antiseptic, cleaner and solvent--things you wouldn't think of drinking. However, at low levels your body can tolerate it. According to the Straight Dope site, a lethal oral dose of acetic acid is about 3,310 mg per kilogram. For an average sized adult (70 kilograms or 152 pounds) that is about 232 g of acetic acid. Most vinegar is less than 10 percent acetic acid, so it would be difficult to consume this quantity by accident.
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