What is the benefit of taking apple cider vinegar pills

The apple cider vinegar craze is still alive and well, and while many people are curious about its purported benefits, some just aren’t into the idea of chugging shots or spoonfuls of it in its natural, acidic form. You may be in luck, as options such as apple cider vinegar pills and gummies have begun to infiltrate the market

According to Jennifer Maeng, a New York City-based registered dietitian, founder of Chelsea Nutrition and an RD advisor at Twinlab, apple cider vinegar on its own contains probiotics and antioxidants and can help to regulate blood sugar and calm acid reflux symptoms. ACV can also help provide relief from bloating and gas in people who experience low stomach acidity. 

If you don’t exactly find straight or diluted apple cider vinegar to be palatable, pills or capsules can be an alternative option, and a better one than gummies at that, Maeng says. This is because gummies tend to have a significant amount of added sugar.

“Taking ACV as it is or in a pill form can help avoid additional sugar intake, and the different levels of acetic acid in gummies may lead to different effects than liquid ACV,” she says. “However, without enough available evidence, it is difficult to know for sure whether ACV pills can lead to potential long-term or short-term side effects.” 

What is the benefit of taking apple cider vinegar pills

Apple cider vinegar pills vs. liquid

Wondering now if you should take straight ACV or if pills are just as good? While pills such as Braggs apple cider vinegar capsules (which Maong recommends) may be a better option than gummies, Maong still recommends opting for ACV in its natural form if you can tolerate it. 

What is the benefit of taking apple cider vinegar pills

You don’t have to take it on its own or drink it diluted in water if that’s not your thing — you can also add it to salad dressing or sauce recipes, which can tone down its acidity if you find you’re sensitive to it.  

Apple cider vinegar side effects

While it’s difficult to say what effects consuming apple cider pills may have, Maong notes that consuming large quantities of ACV can damage your gut lining and enamel of your teeth, particularly if taken without diluting it. If you have chronic kidney disease, you may also want to steer away from it as it is high in potassium, which your kidneys will not be able to filter from your blood if you’ve taken in too much.

When to take apple cider vinegar pills

If taking ACV In its natural form, the optimal time to take it can vary depending on whether you’re taking it to help manage other conditions. For example, Maong recommends taking it early in the morning or diluted 30 minutes before going to bed if you’re taking for insulin resistance or acid reflux, respectively.

If you’re simply interested in trying ACV, she recommends consuming 2 tablespoons of it diluted in 8 ounces of water to drink or added to sauces or dressings. 

Apple cider vinegar for weight loss

You may have also heard about apple cider vinegar being touted for weight loss effects. Unfortunately, experts are quick to debunk that myth. While she won’t generally recommend ACV for weight loss, Maong notes that it may be helpful if your weight gain is due to insulin resistance.

“[If this is the case,] I wouldn’t discourage my clients from trying it, especially after they have established a healthy lifestyle and routine which includes diet, exercise, stress management, sleep regulation and menstrual cycle regulation,” she says. 

Apple cider vinegar isn't likely to be effective for weight loss.

Proponents of apple cider vinegar claim that it has numerous health benefits and that drinking a small amount or taking a supplement before meals helps curb appetite and burn fat.

However, there's little scientific support for these claims. Studies of apple cider vinegar for weight loss have not consistently shown significant and sustainable weight loss across diverse groups of people.

Although occasional use of apple cider vinegar is safe for most people, it does carry some risks. For example:

  • Apple cider vinegar is highly acidic. It may irritate your throat if you drink it often or in large amounts.
  • Apple cider vinegar may interact with certain supplements or drugs, including diuretics and insulin. This may contribute to low potassium levels.

Remember, there's no magic bullet for weight loss. Be skeptical of any approach that claims you can lose weight without decreasing calories or increasing physical activity.

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April 29, 2022

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See more Expert Answers

See also

  1. Alli weight-loss pill
  2. Bariatric surgery
  3. Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPD/DS)
  4. Coconut oil for weight loss
  5. Dietary supplements for weight loss
  6. Endoscopic Intragastric Balloon
  7. Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty
  8. Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (Gastric Sleeve)
  9. Gastric bypass (Roux-en-Y)
  10. Weight-loss surgery
  11. Intragastric balloon
  12. Phentermine for weight loss
  13. Prescription weight-loss drugs
  14. Protein shakes
  15. Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch
  16. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass
  17. Sleeve gastrectomy
  18. Vitamin B-12 injections
  19. Natural diuretics
  20. Weight-loss surgery

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Is it good to take apple cider vinegar pills everyday?

ACV pills are generally safe for healthy people to use. They are not a replacement for medications to lower blood pressure or cholesterol. However, they may complement prescription medications and increase the effects of a healthful diet.

Does apple cider vinegar pills help with weight loss?

Apple cider vinegar isn't likely to be effective for weight loss. Proponents of apple cider vinegar claim that it has numerous health benefits and that drinking a small amount or taking a supplement before meals helps curb appetite and burn fat. However, there's little scientific support for these claims.