Apple cider vinegar trick loved by celebs can aid weight loss, scientists say
Apple cider vinegar could be the key to weight loss, according to breakthrough research.
Celebrities have been huge fans of apple cider vinegar for years because of its purported health benefits, with the likes of Victoria Beckham drinking a couple of spoonfuls of it every morning to help keep her "lithe". The tonic is thought to have antibacterial properties and antioxidant effects, and it was even reportedly used by Hippocrates back in ancient Greece to treat wounds and fevers.
But now, a new experimental study has claimed that apple cider vinegar could be beneficial for those looking to lose weight, too. The research looked into whether the vinegar - which is made from fermented apples - could be effective for weight loss, reduce blood glucose levels and reduce cholesterol, and found that it may actually reduce all three.
The study, published in the BMJ, saw scientists in Lebanon do a double-blinded, randomised, clinical trial of a group of overweight young people between the ages of 12 and 25. They split the 30 participants into four groups, with three given either 5ml, 10ml, or 15ml of apple cider vinegar to dilute with water every morning, and the fourth given a placebo.
After a period of three months, it was found that those who drank apple cider vinegar during that period lost 6–8kg in weight and reduced their BMI by 2.7–3 points, depending on the dose. The research also showed significant decreases in the waist and hip circumference, as well as decreases in blood glucose and cholesterol.
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However, it may not be as easy as simply downing an apple cider vinegar drink each morning. It should be noted that the study only looked at young people between the ages of 12 and 25, so it's unclear whether the results would apply to those in other age groups.
And while the researchers claimed they kept a record of each participant's diet and exercise during the three-month test, those were not published in the paper - so it's also unclear whether variations in diet and exercise had an impact on the weight loss results.
There are also other concerns surrounding apple cider vinegar, including the fact that it is highly acidic, and can therefore contribute to the erosion of tooth enamel in the same way other beverages can such as fizzy drinks and orange juice. You can minimise these risks by rinsing your mouth with tap water, chewing sugar-free gum, or drinking with a straw to minimise contact with the teeth.
Beyond helping you lose weight, apple cider vinegar can also have other health benefits, including improving digestion and optimising your immune health.
Caroline Mason, a nutritionist and co-founder of Baldo and Mason, exclusively told The Mirror: "Studies show that apple cider vinegar can reduce inflammation, improve digestion and optimise immune health. It is also known to stabilise blood sugar levels, helping us feel fuller for longer, which makes us eat less and [take in] fewer calories. It's also recommended to stabilise gut health as it can improve stomach acidity. A couple of spoonfuls a day can have great health benefits!"
Some have also claimed the tonic could "cure cancer", but there has been no strong evidence to support this theory. One study in 2014 found that apple cider vinegar could kill stomach cancer cells in rats and humans in a test tube, but this is not proof that drinking the product will fight cancer in the human body.
In fact, it is actually illegal in the UK to advertise treatments like this to people living with cancer, according to the Cancer Act 1939, according to Dr Duane Mellor, a registered dietitian based at Aston University in Birmingham. He told the Daily Mail: "It has been linked to the scientifically discredited theory of alkaline foods like apple cider vinegar and lemon water."
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