Does Apple Cider Vinegar Help You Lose Weight?
Apple cider vinegar is one of the most common salad dressings. It is also used as a product for cleaning the home and, in particular, glass surfaces, such as windows. And, as if that weren’t enough, the popular realm has spread the idea that this element could help you lose weight when consumed as a drink.
There are all kinds of recipes based on apple cider vinegar that promise various benefits: ‘detoxify’ or ‘alkalize’ the body, burn fat, cleanse the skin, ‘speed up’ metabolism, balance sugar levels, eliminate fungi and lice , etc. However, none of them is adequate from a medical point of view. In fact, its consumption poses more risks than anything else.
What is apple cider vinegar?
Apple cider vinegar is a liquid that is made from the alcoholic fermentation of the sugars in this fruit. It is also usually made from apple cider.
It is made in a fermentation process that basically consists of two stages :
- First, the apples are crushed and combined with yeast to convert their sugar into alcohol.
- Second, bacteria are added to ferment the alcohol into acetic acid.
Its aroma and flavor is fruity and intense, mainly due to its content of malic acid, a substance that, by the way, has been attributed slimming properties in the popular sphere.
Would it help you lose weight?
Although in the popular sphere the intake of a certain amount of apple cider vinegar daily has been recommended to lose weight, this is not recommended according to health experts. Not even when diluted in water.
Additionally, excessive consumption of this liquid could damage the digestive system, irritating it, as well as promoting various discomforts of varying intensity, such as: colic, burning sensation in the stomach, vomiting, diarrhea, etc.
It is not scientifically proven that the daily intake of a glass (or more) of apple cider vinegar helps you lose weight or provide any other specific benefit. Therefore, it is best to consume it in moderation, as a dressing in a salad, for example, within a balanced diet.
what not to do?
- Skipping meals.
- Substitute vinegar for the water.
- Substitute food for cups of vinegar.
- Drink vinegar daily in large quantities.
- Maintain bad lifestyle habits, resort to diets or ‘miracle’ products, such as apple cider vinegar or lemon water.
Apple cider vinegar and its culinary uses
In the kitchen, apple cider vinegar can:
- Help enhance the flavor of food, without the need to add so much salt.
- Extend the conservation of some foods and prevent the growth of bacteria in them.
- Macerate some raw foods, such as vegetables, meat or fish.
- Disinfect vegetables (such as lettuce), as it sweeps away some of the microorganisms, traces of soil that may have remained between the folds, leaves, etc.
But it definitely doesn’t work for you to lose weight overnight, not in three weeks, not in six months, not ever. It also does not serve to regulate glucose levels or ‘cleanse the body’. Therefore, it is useless to drink it on an empty stomach or with meals.
As we discussed earlier, apple cider vinegar can irritate the stomach lining and cause serious damage to the entire digestive system. Therefore, its consumption is not convenient, even if there are beliefs that indicate that it does work. As long as there is no scientific evidence, it is best to refrain from taking risks.
What is the best way to lose weight?
To lose weight in a healthy way, it is best to consult with your doctor about the best options for you, depending on the needs of your body. Keep in mind that not everyone is the same and that it is essential to follow the specialist’s instructions in order to obtain true benefits.
Support yourself in a healthy lifestyle, not just in the consumption of a specific food or drink. Avoid sedentary lifestyle, improve your eating habits, hydrate properly. Your health will thank you and will know how to pay you back.
