New York, NY – A new study conducted in Lebanon has found that consuming apple cider vinegar before meals helped overweight individuals lose up to 18 pounds in just three months. The research, led by Dr. Rony Abou-Khalil from Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, revealed promising results regarding the effectiveness of apple cider vinegar as a supplement for weight loss without any reported side effects.
Apple cider vinegar, a product of fermented apples, has been previously shown to lower blood glucose levels after meals and decrease appetite. This recent study, published in BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health journal, further demonstrated that apple cider vinegar also aids in reducing body mass index (BMI), triglycerides, and cholesterol in overweight individuals.
The study included 120 participants, with an average age of 17, who were classified as overweight or obese with a BMI between 27 and 34. The participants were divided into four groups, with each group consuming different doses of apple cider vinegar daily for 12 weeks.
Results indicated that all three doses of apple cider vinegar showed significant improvements in waist and hip measurements, as well as body fat ratio. The group consuming the highest dose of 15 milliliters experienced the most significant weight loss, dropping from an average of 170 pounds to around 155 pounds.
While the findings are promising, Dr. Abou-Khalil emphasized the need for further research to explore the long-term effects of apple cider vinegar consumption on weight management. He hopes that the results of this study will contribute to evidence-based recommendations for using apple cider vinegar as a dietary intervention for obesity.
Shane McAuliffe, from NNEdPro Global Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health, emphasized the importance of future studies including detailed dietary information and exploring the impact of apple cider vinegar on biochemical markers beyond weight loss. Experts caution against viewing apple cider vinegar as a cure-all, as overconsumption can lead to negative side effects such as tooth enamel erosion and exacerbation of acid reflux.