“Does taking apply cider vinegar really work for burning fat and losing weight?”
Since its reemergence in the 1970s, the apple cider vinegar diet been one of the most popular do-it-yourself weight loss methods in North America. Today, thanks in no small part to the internet, vinegar for weight loss is as popular as ever.
Apple Cider Vinegar & Weight Loss
In a 2003 statement before the U.S. House of Representatives, America’s Surgeon General called obesity “a crisis” and “an epidemic”. Why? Consider this:
- Nearly two-thirds of all Americans are overweight or obese.
- One in eight deaths in America is directly related to excess body fat.
- Obesity costs America $117 billion every year.
It’s no wonder Americans are turning to fad diets. But does apple cider vinegar really help you lose weight? Here’s what science says about this popular fad diet:
Apple Cider Vinegar & Type 2 Diabetes
As strange as it sounds, a growing body of evidence suggests that apple cider vinegar, taken just before a carbohydrate-heavy meal, may actually raise insulin sensitivity in people with type 2 diabetes. A study conducted by researchers at the Department of Nutrition at Arizona State University in Mesa, Arizona looked at the effectiveness of vinegar in reducing blood glucose levels in people who were otherwise struggling to control their blood sugar.
“I thought this was another of those stupid myths and looked forward to debunking it. Boy, was I wrong!”
What This Means for Weight Loss
Ultimately, lasting weight loss can only be achieved when the total number of calories consumed is less than the number of calories used. No fad diet, no matter how exotic or bizarre, can change this simple biological fact. But many researchers believe that, at least for some people, retraining the body’s cells to properly recognize and use insulin is an important step toward reaching and maintaining a healthy body.
Could Apple Cider Vinegar Be Dangerous?
After a 48-year-old woman was injured when an apple cider vinegar tablet became stuck in her throat, researchers at the University of Arkansas began looking at the safety and efficacy of apple cider vinegar supplements. What researchers found was disturbing.
Several brands didn’t contain the stated amount of “active” ingredients and, in a few cases, contained none at all of some listed ingredients. To make matters worse, at least half of the samples were contaminated with yeast and mold, including 3 products that were specifically labeled, “yeast free”.
How To Really Reach Your Ideal Weight
The only real way to lose weight is to consume fewer calories than you burn. If you would like more information about healthy weight loss techniques that don’t rely on fad diets or expensive (and possibly ineffective) supplements, talk to your doctor. He or she can refer you to a qualified practitioner who can help you develop a weight loss plan that’s appropriate for you.
References:
Hill, L., Woodruff, L., Foote, J., Barreto-Alcoba, M. (2005). Esophageal injury by apple cider vinegar tablets and subsequent evaluation of products.
Johnston, C. (2005). Strategies for healthy weight loss: from vitamin C to the glycemic response.
Johnston, C., Kim, C., Buller, A. (2004). Vinegar Improves Insulin Sensitivity to a High-Carbohydrate Meal in Subjects With Insulin Resistance or Type 2 Diabetes.