About Apple Cider Vinegar & Weight Loss

Apple cider vinegar, an old-time folk remedy, has made a comeback in recent years, touting abilities to aide in many ailments from diabetes to weight loss. Apple cider vinegar has been used for centuries for cooking, cleaning and brining. With the recent trends of healthy living and home remedies, apple cider vinegar has gained people's interest for its abilities to assist with weight loss.

History

• Earthclinic.com finds apple cider vinegar has been around for centuries and is made from mashed apples that are allowed to ferment. In the 1950s, apple cider vinegar became popular due to the publication of the book "Folk Medicine: A Vermont Doctor's Guide to Good Health" by D.C. Jarvis. Dr. Jarvis believed apple cider vinegar could make every living thing healthier. He felt apple cider vinegar contained just the right amount of potassium, which is essential to healthy living things. Its popularity has continued today due to alternative medicine practices.

Weight Loss

• There are few studies documenting claims that apple cider vinegar will assist with weight loss. Apple-cider-vinegar-benefits.com states that, due to the pectin, which is water-soluble and found in apples, apple cider vinegar helps fill the stomach and suppress appetite and cravings. It supports these claims from studies conducted by Lund University, located in Sweden, where participants took apple cider vinegar in liquid form before meals.

Other Benefits for Weight Loss

• Apple-cider-benefits.com also finds that the acetic acid in apple cider vinegar helps the body release iron in the food one eats. This increases the oxygen and energy the body produces, which results in greater weight loss. It is also felt to create a better feeling of well-being when someone takes apple cider vinegar on a regular basis, which encourages more activity, thus cutting down on stress-related eating and increasing activity. Apple cider vinegar also improves digestion by breaking down fats that can remain in the digestive tract.

Considerations

• Because there hasn't been much research to document apple cider vinegar and weight loss, there isn't a recommended amount to take to assist with weight loss. Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D., a Mayo Clinic nutritionist, warns that fad diets like drinking apple cider vinegar before meals may suggest quick and easy results, but there isn't a magic diet that will shed the pounds. The best way to loose weight is by eating a low-calorie diet and getting regular exercise.

Warning

• Apple cider vinegar is very acidic and harsh. It can damage tissues of the throat and mouth, and erode the enamel of your teeth if not diluted with water or taken in supplement form. Zeratsky adds that apple cider vinegar can interact with certain medications such as diuretics, and increase risk of potassium loss. Talk to your doctor about including apple cider vinegar in your weight loss plan before beginning to take it on a daily basis.