Is there an effective, inexpensive, non-prescription treatment for overweight and obese teens and young adults? There may be at least one available.
Researchers in Lebanon studied teen and young adult research subjects with obesity or being overweight. The research subjects were given either apple cider vinegar (5, 10, or 15 ml) or a liquid placebo three times a day for 4-12 weeks.
Vinegar has acetic acid. Prior research showed that it may reduce fat and improve metabolism.
The results of the research were encouraging. The research showed that “… daily consumption of the three doses of ACV (apple cider vinegar) for a duration of between 4 and 12 weeks is associated with significant reductions in … weight, body mass index, waist/hip circumferences and body fat ratio, blood glucose, triglyceride and cholesterol levels.”
Despite these good results, it is challenging to recommend using apple cider vinegar three times daily to lose weight based on just one study.
Also, the research only included teens and young adults so we can’t be sure these results would benefit other age groups.
Small doses of apple cider vinegar three times a day should be tolerated by most adults. However, there are exceptions. For example people with acid reflux may get worse.
The research was published by Abou-Khalil and colleagues in the BMJ Nutrition, Prevention and Health 2024; e000823.
Peter M. Hartmann, MD
Family Medicine & Psychiatry
Health and Culture 