With a new year comes resolutions to live healthier and shed some pounds. Unfortunately, many are known to fall off the bandwagon when it comes to their resolutions, especially around this time of year. So, how can you get back on and continue with your weight loss journey? Well, according to a recent study, a shot of apple cider vinegar a day may be exactly what you need to lose some weight and slim down your waistline.
Can Daily Apple Cider Vinegar Trigger Weight Loss?
Made from fermented apples and naturally high in acetic acid, apple cider vinegar (ACV) is known as the ultimate health elixir, thanks in part to its antibacterial properties, which offer a range of health benefits, which may include weight loss.
A recent study, conducted by Lebanese researchers, set out to investigate the effects of apple cider vinegar on weight, blood glucose, and blood lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides) in a group of 120 overweight and obese young people aged from 12 to 25 years.
Because large doses of ACV can interfere with certain medications, such as insulin and medications for diabetes, none of the participants were taking medications.
The researchers then randomly assigned each participant to one of four groups: to consume either (i) 5, (ii)10, or (iii)15ml of apple cider vinegar diluted into 250ml of water, or (iv) a placebo made from lactic acid and water. The participants were tasked with drinking their concoctions each morning on an empty stomach for 12 weeks, and to also record what they ate throughout the day, as well as their physical activity.
In addition to the first study visit, the researchers measured participants’ height, weight, waist circumference, body fat, as well as levels of glucose, triglycerides, and total cholesterol after 4, 8, and 12 intervals.
A Shot of ACV A Day For Slimmer Waist
Per the findings, published in BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health, participants who consumed a mixture of a tablespoon of ACV and water a day, experienced not only a reduction in body weight, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference, but also improvements in blood glucose, triglycerides, and total cholesterol.
While this is not the first study to demonstrate the effects of ACV on weight, this particular study does have its limitations. Aside from the ages of the participants, which raises whether the results could apply to everyone, the participant’s dietary and exercise habits were not included in the published study, which makes it difficult to determine their impact.
Is ACV a weight loss trick?
While this study does add to previous research that has found a link between ACV and weight loss, more studies need to be conducted before health experts begin recommending ACV as an effective weight loss strategy.
In the meantime, if you are interested in testing it out yourself, it’s important to remember that ACV can not replace a balanced diet or an active lifestyle. Instead, it should be viewed as a supplement to an already existing healthy lifestyle. Also, it should only be consumed with water, like the one in the aforementioned study. Lastly, try to drink it through a straw to protect your teeth.
Want to know more?
ACV isn’t the only thing that may help you shed some pounds. There are a few ways in which your favorite dark chocolate can help you reach your weight loss goals.
References
Abou-Khalil R, Andary J, El-Hayek E Apple cider vinegar for weight management in Lebanese adolescents and young adults with overweight and obesity: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health 2024;e000823. doi: 10.1136/bmjnph-2023-000823
