How a daily shot of apple cider vinegar could work like natural Ozempic to help with weight loss and diabetes

“There is a definite buzz around apple cider vinegar and having done my own research into it, I definitely believe it is more than an age-old home remedy or a fancy vinegar to slather on your salad,” says Dr. Darshna Yagnik, lecturer in biomedical research at Middlesex University.

Her comments follow last week’s news that a daily injection of it could help with weight loss.

In a study published in BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health, 120 overweight or obese people were given apple cider vinegar (ACV) or a placebo daily, first thing in the morning before eating.

Everyone given ACV lost more weight than the placebo group, with those given the most (15ml per day) losing up to 8kg in 12 weeks.

All ACV drinkers also had improved blood sugar and cholesterol levels, reported the researchers, led by Dr. Rony Abou-Khalil at Holy Spirit University of Kaslik in Lebanon.

“The results are quite significant – and unexpected,” says Aidan Goggins, a pharmacist and independent consultant to the supplement industry. ‘That’s because we always thought there might be something in the acetic acid (the main active ingredient in ACV) that binds to carbohydrates to reduce their absorption, but in this study the ACV was given in the morning on an empty stomach. taken, so we had a completely different independent effect.’

He adds: ‘It can increase the secretion of satiety hormones in the gut, including GLP-1 and PYY, in the same way that weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy work.’

Dr. Yagnik’s theory is that the acetic acid in ACV effectively increases acetate levels in the blood, which in turn stimulates the breakdown of fatty acids and prevents the formation of new fatty acids – potentially helping to boost fat metabolism.

Yet other experts have questioned the research methodology – not least because they did not explain what else the participants ate, nor because their calorie intake changes.

“In short, this requires caution, a lot of caution,” said Miguel Angel Martinez-Gonzalez, a professor of preventive public health at the University of Navarra in Spain, and an expert on nutrition and disease.

The study participants were also young – between 12 and 25 years old – so it’s not clear how the findings might apply to older people.

ACV is made by chopping apples, mixing them with water and sugar, and then allowing the mixture to ferment for three to four months.

There is little doubt about its increasing popularity: the market has grown by 24.5 percent in value over the past year, with British manufacturers, such as Willy’s in Herefordshire, reporting a sales increase of up to 26 percent in the same period. fueled by the supposed health benefits.

And no doubt helped by celebrity support. Victoria Beckham shared on Instagram that she takes two tablespoons of it every morning; Liz Hurley has said she often puts some in hot water — and the novelist Louis de Bernieres recently told Good Health that he takes it because “it is said to lower blood sugar levels.” The evidence for this seems to be mounting. “A number of studies have suggested that it may help manage blood sugar levels and lower cholesterol,” says Dr. Yagnik.

When it comes to blood sugar levels, ‘human studies have shown that ACV increases glucose uptake by the muscles. It also slows stomach emptying and the activity of enzymes in the intestines – all of which helps control blood sugar levels.

‘Compounds in ACV have also been shown to increase ‘good’ fat such as HDL cholesterol, which helps remove ‘bad’ cholesterol by transporting excess amounts to the liver where it is broken down,’ adds Dr Yagnik.

Separately, she and her team looked at ACV’s potential role in fighting infections and boosting immunity.

This happened after Dr. Yagnik herself ate something she shouldn’t from the refrigerator, felt sick and remembered the old woman’s story about ACV as a possible cure. She took a sip and it worked: “I literally felt something in my stomach and felt better within ten minutes,” she says.

By testing this in laboratory studies, Dr. Yagnik’s team found that ACV had antimicrobial effects and was able to combat E. coli and MRSA. Studies with other vinegars didn’t work nearly as well: ACV was by far the most effective.

When they tested the vinegar on white blood cells, they found that it reduced the response of cytokines, which are proteins that play a crucial role in controlling other cells of the immune system, as well as blood cells, and in turn in controlling inflammation .

As with weight loss, the exact mechanism of action is not entirely clear, but Dr. Yagnik believes it is the combination of acetic acid, polyphenols – powerful plant compounds with antioxidant effects – probiotics and enzymes working together.

Many people use apple cider vinegar because they think its anti-inflammatory properties might help their arthritis, but Aidan Goggins says: ‘This is quite anecdotal. Apple extracts are high in phytochemicals (antioxidants), which has led to them being considered good for inflammatory conditions, but there is not enough evidence to recommend it.”

And even though ACV isn’t just a health fad, experts are still keen to emphasize that more research needs to be done before anything definitive can be said, and that caution is warranted for some.

“People taking metformin for diabetes or weight loss pills should consult their doctor before using ACV because there may be interactions,” says Aidan Goggins. “It can also damage the tissue in your windpipe and cause heartburn.”

In the new study, participants took ACV first thing in the morning to prevent other foods and drinks from having an effect.

‘Interestingly, the oral anti-obesity drug Rybelsus (one of the newer Wegovy-type drugs) should be taken on an empty stomach for the same reason,’ says Aidan Goggins. ‘Clearly, if it works through the same mechanism, you have to approach it in the same way. And this applies to everyone, even older people. ACV is actually often recommended for this age group to help improve digestion, as natural stomach acid decreases with age.

‘However, the unfiltered forms – which provide the additional health benefits – may pose a problem for people who need to avoid unpasteurized products, such as pregnant women,’ warns Dr Yagnik.

You should also be careful about how you take it. ‘Vinegar is quite obviously very acidic – pH 2-3 on the scale, compared to milk for example, which is 6.5 to 6.9, and so can be very corrosive to tooth enamel,’ says Tom Crawford-Clarke, a dentist at Luceo Dental in London.

‘Some of my patients take ACV as a health boost and while I can’t say they’ve had any problems with it, it could certainly contribute to the yellowing and sensitivity of their teeth if not used properly.’

For this reason it is better not to use it as a ‘shot’; instead, dilute it with water.

The consensus seems to be that, if you’re healthy and want to jump on the ACV bandwagon, it certainly won’t hurt you.

“For what it’s worth, I have been consuming two tablespoons of unfiltered apple cider vinegar diluted in water every day,” says Dr. Yagnik. ‘Just like my friends, family and everyone I’ve told about it.

‘I swear by it because of the immunity. If you feel like something is bothering you, there is nothing better to prevent it.’