When it comes to weight loss you will find claims on just about everything from wearing blue sneakers will help your burn more calories to drinking orange juice at noon will increase your chances of losing weight. It is hard to know what fact is and what fiction is when emotions are running high and we are desperate to fit into that little black dress. We all want a magic bullet. Could apple cider vinegar be that magic bullet?
Apple cider vinegar has been used for hundreds of years as a tonic for health. Well, mercury was used as a tonic also and we know see the lack of wisdom in that. Just because something was used for centuries is not an indication it is being used correctly. Claims of apple cider vinegar being a natural detox , good for your heart, good for healthy lipids are all over the place. But should you add it to your diet for the specific purpose of losing weight?
Drinking apple cider vinegar for weight loss isn’t likely to be effective.
Apple cider vinegar is highly acidic. It may irritate your throat if you drink it often or in large amounts.
Apple cider vinegar may interact with certain supplements or drugs, including diuretics and insulin. This may contribute to low potassium levels.
Apple Cider Vinegar Benefits.com says:
Apple cider aids in gradual weight loss by:
Suppressing appetite
Increasing metabolism
Reducing water retention
Improved digestion
Increased feeling of well being
They base this off of the enzymes and nutrients contained in the apple cider vinegar.
What I say:
If you are currently using apple cider vinegar for whatever purpose it has then don’t stop using it. If you never purchased it before and are thinking about it for weight loss then don’t. If something as simple as apple cider vinegar was the magic bullet you would not be able to buy if for under $5 at your local grocery store. Now, I am all for natural remedies, cleansers and beauty products. I think we can live smarter by living simpler and using products to their full capacity. But I do not think a search for gold at the end of the weight loss rainbow will result in apple cider vinegar. It may have plenty of health benefits and adding to your diet may prove helpful. But turning into your diet plan will not give you the results of simple hard work and calorie reduction.