Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)
Fermented apple juice containing acetic acid. Long used in folk medicine and more recently heavily promoted online and on social media for weight loss. IMPORTANT: The most widely cited recent study supporting ACV for weight loss was retracted by its publisher in 2025 due to data reliability concerns. The remaining evidence is small and inconsistent.
Quick read · 3 min
The most widely cited ACV weight loss study was retracted by BMJ Nutrition in September 2025 due to data reliability concerns. Remaining evidence comes from small, short-term trials with inconsistent results.
- •Evidence: Very weak — little to no reliable trial evidence
- •IMPORTANT CONTEXT: The most-cited recent ACV weight loss study (Abou-Khalil et al.
- •ACV is acidic and can erode tooth enamel if consumed undiluted — always dilute in water and consider drinking through a straw.
- •Prescription weight loss drugs produce 7–21% weight loss in trials. Most supplements in this category produce less than 2 kg.
Based on clinical trials · No rankings · Every claim linked to source
Last reviewed: March 2026
How it works
Acetic acid (the active compound in vinegar) may delay gastric emptying — slowing how quickly food leaves your stomach — which could modestly increase feelings of fullness. Some evidence suggests it may also improve how the body responds to insulin and slightly reduce blood sugar after meals. These are plausible mechanisms, but the weight loss effects observed in trials have been small.
What the evidence shows
IMPORTANT CONTEXT: The most-cited recent ACV weight loss study (Abou-Khalil et al., BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health, 2024) was retracted by BMJ Group in September 2025 due to concerns about statistical analysis, data reliability, and lack of trial registration. A 2025 meta-analysis of 10 randomised controlled trials (861 participants) found that ACV reduced body weight and BMI, but with 'substantial heterogeneity' — meaning the results varied widely between studies, which reduces confidence in the conclusion. Most trials are small (under 50 participants), short (4–12 weeks), and from limited geographic regions. Expert opinion from Stanford and Harvard: the current evidence is limited and inconsistent.
Safety
ACV is acidic and can erode tooth enamel if consumed undiluted — always dilute in water and consider drinking through a straw. Can irritate the oesophagus and stomach lining, particularly in people with acid reflux (GORD). May interact with diabetes medications by lowering blood sugar further. May interact with diuretics and certain heart medications. Capsule forms avoid the tooth enamel issue but still carry the other risks.
Community insights
These are personal experiences shared in public online communities — not medical advice.
“The key study everyone was citing got retracted. Be sceptical of anyone still promoting ACV for weight loss based on that research.”
“If you drink it, always dilute it — straight ACV will damage your teeth and throat over time. This is not a minor point.”
Common questions
After reading this page, most people compare this with other supplements, look at prescription options, or check what they can do today without a prescription.