A daily shot of apple cider vinegar can help you lose weight, according to new research.
Fat people lose up to 8kg in just three months after drinking a single 15ml measure before breakfast.
Experts said the results were “remarkable”.
But critics today tore apart the study of just 120 people, claiming it was severely flawed and proved nothing.
The Lebanese researchers admitted that they did not know why apple cider vinegar could have a slimming effect. But they claimed that animal studies have shown that it improves insulin sensitivity and energy levels.
Experts said the results were “remarkable”. But critics today tore apart the study of just 120 people, claiming it was severely flawed and proved nothing. Celebrities including Kim Kardashian (pictured) swear by the tipple
The Lebanese researchers admitted that they did not know why apple cider vinegar could have a slimming effect. But they claimed that animal studies have shown that it improves insulin sensitivity and energy levels. Pictured, celebrity attorney Jennifer Aniston
Proponents insist that apple cider vinegar can reduce your appetite and boost immunity. Despite a wealth of studies suggesting it works, experts remain divided about its effectiveness and potential long-term health effects. Pictured, celebrity lawyer Victoria Beckham
Celebrities including Kim Kardashian, Victoria Beckham and Jennifer Aniston swear by the tip, which costs as little as £2.50 in health food shops.
Proponents insist it can reduce your appetite and boost immunity.
Despite a wealth of studies suggesting it works, experts remain divided about its effectiveness and potential long-term health effects.
Volunteers from the Holy Spirit University in Kaslik apple cider vinegar trial were either overweight or obese with BMIs between 27 and 34.
Some were as young as 12 years old.
The participants were then divided into four groups of 30.
Three groups were asked drinking a daily shot of apple cider vinegar first thing in the morning. This was either in 5, 10 or 15 ml quantities.
The rest received a dummy – or placebo – liquid instead.
Over the course of 12 weeks, each participant kept a record of their diet and exercise habits.
Researchers found that those who drank the drink lost at least 5 kg in weight and reduced their BMI by between 2.7 and three points, depending on the dose.
Volunteers given a placebo, meanwhile, recorded an average loss of just 0.7 lbs (0.3 kg) after 12 weeks.
Writing in the journal BMJ nutrition, prevention and healthresearchers acknowledged the small sample size and admitted that 12 weeks was not long enough to measure possible long-term side effects.
But study author Dr. Rony Abou-Khalil, head of chemistry and biochemistry at the university, added: ‘These findings suggest that apple cider may have potential benefits in improving metabolic parameters related to obesity and metabolic disturbances in obese individuals.
‘The results may contribute to evidence-based recommendations for the use of apple cider vinegar as a dietary intervention in the management of obesity.
“The study may stimulate further research in the field, prompting scientists to explore the underlying mechanisms and carry out similar studies in other population groups.
‘Apple cider vinegar could be a promising anti-obesity supplement with no side effects.’
Professor Helen Truby, professor of nutrition and dietetics at the University of Queensland, described the weight loss results as ‘remarkable’.
But she noted, “Although this study design has the ability to prove cause and effect, there are some significant problems in this study that would make the conclusions drawn questionable.”
Researchers found that those who drank the drink lost at least 5kg in weight and reduced their BMI by between 2.7 and three points, depending on the dose. Volunteers given a placebo, meanwhile, recorded an average drop of just 0.7 lbs (0.3 kg) after 12 weeks
She added: ‘The subjects were not weight stable at the start of the study, so they may have been on a weight loss journey before they started taking vinegar.
‘Diet and activity were self-reported, so we cannot be sure that these large weight losses were not due to lifestyle changes.
‘Plus the use of weight loss drugs has not been reported.’
Meanwhile, Shane McAuliffe, senior visiting academic associate at the NNEdPro Global Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health, which owns BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health with BMJ, said “caution should be exercised” about the study’s findings.
Professor Miguel Ángel Martínez González, professor of preventive medicine and public health at the University of Navarra, also said: ‘They (the researchers) seem to only use t-tests (a statistical tool for making comparisons) and they should have used other models that give option for valuation of fixed and random components.
‘They also don’t describe the overall diet of the participants and how their caloric intake changes, the consumption of fruit, vegetables, ultra-processed foods and so on.
“In short, this requires caution, a lot of caution.”