BRAGG Organic Apple Cider Vinegar. (Photo by ThamKC on Shutterstock)
For a few years now, apple cider vinegar has been touted as a health elixir capable of anything from curing diabetes to detoxing your body. It’s also said to be the secret key to weight loss that many people have been searching for. In reality, there’s really no concrete evidence or reasoning for any of these claims, but let’s take a closer look at its possible benefits for weight loss.
What is apple cider vinegar?
Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is made with crushed fermented apples, yeast, and sugar. Most people who promote it for its health benefits recommend just taking a shot of it — it’s really sour and has an unpleasant flavor. It’s far more palatable when using it in salad dressings, marinades, stews, and homemade apple butters. You might’ve heard that it’s important to get ACV with “the mother” in it. Bottles of ACV are sold in stores both with and without this ingredient, but it’s said to be more beneficial to get “the mother” as the bacteria from the fermentation process remains intact.
For years, the tangy vinegar has been used as a home remedy for preventing heartburn, healing wounds, and stopping coughs. While there isn’t strong evidence supporting ACV’s usage for these purposes, it’s very possible that it could still work for some people under certain circumstances. Nowadays, it has become a trendy wellness “hack” that has made waves, even paving the way for companies to market apple cider vinegar gummies and pills.
Is it the secret to weight loss?
Not really. In fact, there isn’t one single “secret” to weight loss. Eating healthy, exercising, and getting adequate sleep are the main pillars of successful weight loss. If you don’t practice these lifestyle choices, changing only one part of your routine (adding apple cider vinegar) isn’t going to single-handedly fix everything.
There is no quick fix to stuff like this. Consistent diet and lifestyle efforts are far more likely to produce the results you want over time. It’s said that ACV could suppress appetite, which could aid weight loss efforts by preventing overeating. However, there is little evidence showing that ACV can do this, and most reports are anecdotal.
Should you include apple cider vinegar in your diet?
It probably won’t be the thing that helps you shed excess weight, especially if you don’t have a good grasp on other basic health principles. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t add it to your diet if you want.
ACV is pretty harmless. In larger doses, however, especially if taken without being mixed with anything, you risk eroding your enamel and irritating your esophagus. If you do choose to consume the vinegar, mix it with water to lower your risk of burning your mouth and esophagus, and use a straw to limit contact with your teeth. Also, while it can’t “cure” diabetes, some research suggests that drinking ACV before a meal helps improve blood sugar response. So, it could be worth a shot!
