In a recent study published in BMJ Nutrition, Prevention, and Health, researchers investigated the effects of apple cider vinegar (ACV) consumption on body weight, blood sugar, triglyceride, and cholesterol levels in Lebanese people. investigated.
study: Apple cider vinegar for weight management in overweight and obese Lebanese adolescents and young adults: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Image credit: mama_mia/Shutterstock.com
background
Obesity, a growing global health concern, is associated with genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, common cancers, and osteoarthritis. It increases the risk of chronic diseases and significantly increases health care costs during childhood and early childhood. puberty.
The increasing burden of obesity necessitates the development of innovative weight management strategies.
Given its health benefits, ACV has been championed as a potential weight management tool. A study of rats fed a high-calorie diet revealed that regular intake reduced oxidative stress, blood sugar levels, lipid profile, and obesity risk in male murine animals.
Small human studies have shown reductions in body fat, weight loss, and waist circumference.
ACV slows stomach emptying, increases satiety, and reduces hunger. However, more extensive and long-term studies are needed to understand the effects on body weight.
About research
In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, researchers investigated the safety of apple cider vinegar for weight loss and improved lipid and glycemic profiles in young Lebanese residents with high body mass index (BMI). and investigated its effectiveness.
Researchers recruited 120 people (74 women and 46 men) with excess weight and obesity for the analysis.
Participants were 12 to 25 years old, had a body mass index (BMI) of 27 kg/m2 to 34 kg/m2, had no chronic disease, did not take any medications, and had not consumed apple cider vinegar in the 8 weeks prior to the start of the study. It was. They completed a questionnaire and provided demographic, clinical, and dietary information.
The research team randomly assigned participants to receive either the study intervention (5.0, 10, or 15 mL of apple cider vinegar containing 5.0% acetic acid regularly mixed with 250 mL of water) or water containing lactic acid (100 mL) as a placebo. 250 mg per day). (control group) over 12 weeks.
They measured anthropometric characteristics, fasting blood glucose, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels at baseline, weeks 4.0, 8.0, and 12 using fasting blood samples provided by participants. Did.. They excluded individuals who reported heartburn after taking ACV.
The researchers provided participants with similar-looking bottles of placebo and apple cider vinegar and asked them to drink their assigned drinks without knowing which one was which.
They were unaware of the assignment of participants to the two groups. During the study period, participants received individual phone messages and emails reminding them to eat regular meals and drink either a placebo or apple cider vinegar.
result
The average age of participants was 18 years, 98% were non-vegetarian, 89% ate at least five meals a day, 87% had a family member who was not obese, and 98% were not obese in childhood.
Most participants did not exercise regularly and experienced negative emotions such as anxiety. None of the participants consumed alcohol or smoked cigarettes, but only 6.7% followed a therapeutic diet.
In this study, three-times daily administration of ACV from week 4 to week 12 showed that BMI, body weight, body fat percentage (BFR), waist and hip circumference, fasting blood glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride levels, etc. Anthropometric measurements were shown to be significantly reduced. The team detected no significant risk indicators even after using ACV for 12 weeks.
Reductions in BMI and weight were dose- and time-dependent, with the most significant changes occurring at week 12.
The effects of apple cider vinegar on hip/waist circumference and BFR were time-dependent, with significant effects observed 12 weeks after ACV intake. However, at weeks 8 and 12, the three doses were equally effective in reducing hip and waist circumference and BFR compared to baseline.
Administration of 15 mL of ACV for 12 weeks was most effective in reducing these three blood biochemical markers. The results show that consuming 15 mL of ACV for at least 8 weeks can lower fasting blood sugar, triglyceride, and total cholesterol levels in overweight or obese people.
There were no significant changes in cardiometabolic parameters in the placebo group, and dietary intake and physical activity levels were similar between study groups, suggesting that ACV intake improved BMI, body weight, BFR, and waist and hip circumference. It was shown that the quality is high.
Participants reported no obvious adverse effects or side effects during the 12 weeks of ACV administration.
conclusion
The results of this study showed that consuming apple cider vinegar improved blood sugar, triglyceride, and cholesterol levels, as well as lowering anthropometric factors, in overweight or obese youth and adults.
This finding may support evidence-based recommendations for using ACV as a dietary intervention in obesity management. Future studies may include longer follow-up and larger sample sizes, which may increase the generalizability of the study results.
Further studies should evaluate the effects of neutralized acetic acid on metabolic and anthropometric parameters and the changing effects of ACV with age, especially in older adults and menopausal women.
Reference magazines:
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Abou-Khalil R., Andary J., and El-Hayek E. (2024) Apple cider vinegar for weight management in Lebanese adolescents and young adults with overweight and obesity: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. BMJ Nutrition, Prevention, Health 2024;0:e000823. Toi: 10.1136/bmjnph-2023-000823.
