Do apple cider vinegar supplements or gummies aid in weight loss?

Several social media users and advertisements claim that consuming apple cider vinegar every day aids in drastic weight loss. (Click here and here to see the posts.)

To shed excess pounds and turn yourself into a healthier person you must eat healthy and exercise regularly. It might not sound appealing but believe me, no weight-loss pills can replace nutritious foods.

There’s no shortcut to losing weight and keeping it off. People tend to look for easy and hustle-free tricks to lose weight.

What is apple cider vinegar?

“Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is a type of vinegar made with crushed apples, yeast, and sugar. It’s used as an ingredient in foods like salad dressings, pickles, and marinades,” explains WebMD.

Fact Check

NewsMeter found that apple cider vinegar supplements do not work without proper diet and regular exercise. Even then, these pills have certain side effects.

About ACV gummies, Healthline says, “More comprehensive research is needed before suggesting that ACV gummies offer any help in weight management. The most recent study may show potential weight loss benefits to those who consumed at least 0.5 ounces (15 ml) of organic liquid ACV — not ACV gummies. No evidence suggests that ACV gummies aid in managing weight.”

It adds, “…there’s some evidence that drinking ACV may reduce blood lipid levels and blood sugar levels in some people, these findings can’t be applied to ACV supplements or gummies.”

On apple cider vinegar and weight loss, Mayo Clinic writes, “Apple cider vinegar isn’t likely to be effective for weight loss. Proponents of apple cider vinegar claim that it has numerous health benefits and that drinking a small amount or taking a supplement before meals helps curb appetite and burn fat. However, there’s little scientific support for these claims. Studies of apple cider vinegar for weight loss have not consistently shown significant and sustainable weight loss across diverse groups of people.”

We contacted Dr Fawad Ali (general medicine), a diabetic specialist from John Hopkins University, USA to debunk the myth about apple cider vinegar supplements. Stating that apple cider vinegar does not aid in weight loss, he said there’s little evidence to prove it. “The scientific evidence that vinegar consumption (whether apple cider or others) is a reliable, long-term means of losing excess weight is not compelling,” he added.

Meanwhile, this advertisement for apple cider vinegar supplements advocates taking apple cider vinegar along with a balanced diet and regular workout. It’s the latter two (regular workout and balanced diet) that are going to help you lose weight with or without apple cider vinegar.