Welcome to our deep-dive into the number one natural health remedy to hit the health and wellness mainstream in recent years – apple cider vinegar (ACV). Apple cider vinegar and weight loss – is it just hype or is there any scientific research to back it up? Is ACV good for your weight loss or just another money-spinner for natural health gurus? Here we take a critical look at what ACV is, what the scientific evidence says and what you need to know to use it safely and effectively. Is there a link between apple cider vinegar and weight loss? What’s the evidence, if any, that you should know about?
How Does Apple Cider Vinegar Aid Weight Loss?
losing weight from apple cider vinegar
There is some evidence that apple cider vinegar (ACV) can support weight loss, though most studies are just emerging now. Some of the ways ACV can provide help with weight loss include:
- Appetite Suppression: ACV might help suppress appetite and increase feelings of fullness, which could ultimately lead to lower calorie intake. Some studies show that acetic acid, the primary component of ACV, can slow down the emptying of the stomach, causing you to feel fuller for longer.
- Better Metabolism: ACV is thought to boost your metabolism slightly by increasing your consumption of calories.
- Blood Sugar Balance: ACV has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity and blood glucose response to food, specifically by lowering blood glucose response over 30 minutes after meals. Blood Sugar Balance → Hunger Regulation → Weight Loss Finally, since stabilising blood sugar helps you avoid the mood and hunger spikes and crashes that lead to overeating, stabilising your blood sugar can be a key element to permanent weight loss.
- Lowered Fat Storage: In animals, evidence suggests that acetic acid could be a factor in lowering fat storage throughout the body. However, more research is required to determine if those same effects prove true for humans.
- Detox: Some suggest that ACV might ‘detoxify’ the body, but there’s little science to support this claim. The main thing is that a healthier digestive system can indirectly assist with weight loss.
Although these possible benefits sound promising, it’s still important to note that ACV is not a magic pill for all your weight-loss problems. Practice wisdom and consume it daily only as a simple complement to a well-balanced diet and healthy lifestyle. Before using it, make sure to consult your primary-care physician. If you suffer from certain underlying comorbidities, ACV could be counterproductive for your health conditions.
- Yes, ACV can be incorporated into your diet by using it in salad dressings, marinades, and other recipes. This allows you to enjoy its potential benefits while adding flavour to your meals.