Do Apple Cider Vinegar Pills Help You Lose Weight? An In-depth Look

Former art and antiques dealer Foley extols ACV as a natural cure-all purported to bring weight-loss benefits and a natural spring in one’s step. And boy, does this vinegar fly off the shelves. Widespread recommendations have made it a firm fixture in fridges and medicine cabinets across the nation.

but thanks to its popularity and reputation as being good for weight loss, it’s a mainstay of many diets. Yet pundits agree the sharp taste and acidity of liquid vinegar can make some people balk. The solution: apple cider vinegar pills, a formulation marketed as offering the same benefits as the vinegar – without the bitter sting.

In this article, let’s try to take a deeper at the weight loss benefits and side effects of apple cider vinegar pills and see if they do indeed work or just more hype for the myth among its users. We will be looking at what are the difference between apple cider vinegar injection pills and the traditional ACV in liquid form, does science support the usage of this supplement and if it really help you lose weight when taken? Opinions from diet experts will also be mentioned.

What Are Apple Cider Vinegar Pills?

Apple cider vinegar pills are basically condensed pure based on dehydrated apple cider vinegar – the product of fermented apple juice. Apples are crushed and their juice extracted, to which yeast is added turning the sugars present in the juice into alcohol. The alcohol is then fermented further by simple acetic acid bacteria, which produce acetic acid. This acetic acid is the primary compound that gives ACV its unique properties. Once dehydrated, the substance is then encapsulated in a pill, making it easier and more convenient to take. It is especially beneficial for people who don’t want to smell and taste the intense acidity and scent of the liquid ACV form.

The pills presented a few differences between apple cider vinegar pills and the more traditional liquid ACV. First and foremost, the pills do not look, smell or taste like liquid vinegar – a benefit for many. Secondly, the pills might come in measured, pre-packaged doses that spares folks from measuring out liquid doses.

The ingredients of apple cider vinegar pills usually contain acetic acid, likely responsible for many of the supposed ACV benefits, and may include other functional ingredients, such as cayenne pepper or dietary fibre, which may be present to enhance the purported weight loss benefits of the pills. The ingredient list should be checked to make sure a consumer is purchasing a product manufactured exclusively from apple cider vinegar extract and that other additional components are not added that could alter the efficacy and safety of the pills.

The Claim: Do Apple Cider Vinegar Pills Help You Lose Weight?

You’ve probably heard someone say that vinegar helps with weight loss. As you might have guessed, these are pills, not the liquid vinegar that you might put over a salad, and they’re often marketed to help people lose weight. Typical claims include that they suppress the appetite, boost metabolism, or even alter fat composition. Do any of these claims stand up based on the evidence?

One of the big claims for apple cider vinegar pills is its ability to suppress appetite, thought to be in part because of the acetic acid part of apple cider vinegar. It is thought that by increasing the feeling of fullness, one would end up consuming less calories, since acetic acid has been shown to delay gastric emptying. This might in turn cause individuals to feel fuller after eating, and hence result in consuming less calories. However, most of these studies were performed with liquid vinegar, not a pill, which makes the effectiveness of the pill questionable.

The second mechanism in which ACV is held to be involved in weight loss is via a metabolic boost; that is, it increases the efficiency with which we burn up calories. Some human studies have shown apple cider vinegar can have small effects on metabolism, although this is somewhat indirectly looked at via samples of exhaled air: plainly, the stronger the faster our body uses the energy, the more exhaled CO2. This effect is thought to be mediated via an increase in enzyme activity that enhances fat burning. Again, more human studies support this being a feature of the liquid ACV, with limited direct study of the pill.

A number of subsequent scientific studies examined the effect of ACV on blood-sugar levels and insulin response. Because insulin sensitivity is partly related to cravings and the likelihood of insulin spikes that drive fat storage, the effect of ACV on insulin might help mitigate the tendency to crave and to overeat the types of foods that have an adverse impact on waistline. Such effects, despite the health and perhaps weight loss implications, are none the less indirect.

Now, to sum up, the data on liquid apple cider vinegar is promising, but the science on apple cider vinegar pills is practically non-existent. I have not found any of these studies to differentiate between the liquid and pill form, so it is tough to say whether these pills provide the same or different benefits. Consumers who are interested in these weight loss pills should really weigh the current evidence and perhaps consider purchasing an apple cider vinegar pill that has been studied in that exact form. And of course, anyone who wants to try these pills, or any supplement for that matter, as a treatment for weight loss should speak to their healthcare provider before beginning any new treatment.

How Apple Cider Vinegar Pills Might Aid Weight Loss

It’s claimed that these pills will help you lose weight because ACV has three things working for it: it suppresses appetite; boosts metabolism; and enhances fat burning. What gives ACV its proclaimed fat-burning capabilities is the same thing responsible for its pungent taste and strong odour: acetic acid.

Appetite Suppression: Arguably, the most well-known effect is that of ACV as an appetite suppressant, including in pill form. This is thought to happen via an increase in satiety and reduction in the glycaemic response following a meal. Acetic acid can cause gastroparesis whereby the rate of emptying of food from your stomach slows down, thus making you feel full for longer after a meal. A study in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association showed that subjects who consumed vinegar with a high-carb meal had a 55 per cent lower blood sugar response, one hour after eating, and also reported increased feelings of fullness, which should lead to reduced calorie intake during the rest of the day.

Metabolism Boost: ACV is speculated to increase metabolism by its putative effect on the enzyme AMPK (adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase), which is responsible for cellular energy homeostasis. Activation of AMPK potentially increases fat oxidation, enhances blood sugar utilisation, and inhibits fat storage. Evidence is limited, but this area of research is promising, and a few small studies bear out the obesity and metabolic syndrome treatment hypotheses. It stands to reason that, without a doubt, more vigorous clinical trials must be conducted before any definite conclusions can be rendered in terms of increases in resting or post-prandial (after-meal) energy expenditure as a result of ACV consumption.

Fat burning: Finally, ACV is supposed to aid in fat burning. This could be down to its effect on the metabolism, and from its ability to lower insulin levels and insulin sensitivity. Low insulin is linked to less fat gain through storage, and high insulin sensitivity to better breakdown of fats thanks to the influence of the hormone. Acetic acid was also observed to inhibit body fat and liver lipid accumulation in a study performed on animals and published in Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry, suggesting it might aid in fat loss.

Yet nutrition and dietetic experts caution that, while these benefits are supported by some quality research, the overall weight-loss benefits of ACV pills are relatively small. Most agree that the accompanying behavioural changes that might come with ACV pills – such as improved eating and increased activity – are probably the main reason for any weight loss seen with the pills, and without those changes, the benefits of the pills for weight loss are likely to be small. So where does this leave us with ACV pills? While they could be a worthwhile supplement to a weight-loss strategy, on their own, using ACV pills as a magic bullet for weight loss is unlikely to provide significant benefits.

Potential Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar Pills Beyond Weight Loss

Though popularised most often for weight loss and often taken in pill form, apple cider vinegar is highlighted for a variety of other health benefits as well, such as regulating blood sugar, aiding digestion, and so on.

Blood Sugar Regulation ACV is one of the most effective natural methods to keep blood sugar under control, benefiting people with diabetes and prediabetic risk. Numerous studies have shown that that consuming ACV during a high-carb meal can increase insulin sensitivity by 34 per cent and reduce blood sugar responses to meals by around 6 per cent. These effects come about because acetic acid in ACV changes the way we metabolise carbohydrates, slows down the digestion of sugars and enhances the uptake of glucose by bodily tissues. The protective effect of vinegar on the blood sugar levels is likely to benefit people at risk of developing type 2 diabetes and the management of prediabetic conditions. With a diet of small meals every three to four hours over the course of a day, consuming relatively high levels of carbohydrates, vinegar consumed with food has been shown to keep blood sugar levels stable.

Better Digestion: ACV is believed to enhance digestion by increasing stomach acid which promotes better digestion and nutrient absorption. This is important for acid reflux sufferers as the condition is frequently caused by low acid levels in the stomach, another misconception when it comes to acid reflux. The pectin content in ACV also supports gut health because it is a source of prebiotics which feeds good bacteria in the gut (probiotics come from fermented foods such as yoghurt and sauerkraut).

Health experts and nutritionists also suggest other potential benefits of ACV pills, including:

Antimicrobial properties: ACV’s anti-microbial properties were employed as a natural remedy for all kinds of infections and other bacterial related issues.

Heart Health: It does have some evidence for lowering cholesterol and triglyceride levels, although these are risk factors for heart disease, not actual causes.

Skin Health: Topically, ACV would be useful for the treatment of acne and perhaps fading scarring, although the pills would not have the same topical benefits.

Sneha Dais, a nutrition specialist at KFSH&RC, explains that ‘MOral-ACV Intervention proved to be beneficial against noncommunicable diseases’, adding that, ‘we should not consider ACV pills as a replacement option for conventional medicine for any kind of illness, but rather as a complimentary option to conventional medicine, specifically diseases with a lifestyle component to which dietary interventions are beneficial.’ Regardless of whether ACV is in liquid form or pill form, she suggests consulting with healthcare providers before starting any new supplement regimen, especially if you have any health concerns or are on medication.

Comparing ACV Pills and Liquid Vinegar for Weight Loss

One will need to wean through the pros and cons of its two main forms – the conventional liquid vinegar and the encapsulated ACV pills – since both forms have their own advantages and disadvantages and it is the personal choice to go for the form which is more beneficial to us considering our specific health requirements.

Pros of ACV Pills:

Convenience: pills are a lot more convenient than using ACV. When you’re away from home a lot, it’s hard to take the liquid form of apple cider vinegar with you. Plus, you don’t need to get out a measuring spoon or pitcher, eat them in a single bite, take with water, etc

No Taste: The taste of liquid ACV is strong and sour, making it difficult for many to swallow. Pills provide the same benefits without the acidic taste.

Lowered Tooth Exposure: You need to chew the pills; but, chewed or not, vinegar is acidic and, if you drink it in juice or smoothies or whatever regularly, it will erode your teeth. The pills preclude direct exposure of acid to the teeth.

Cons of ACV Pills:

Sorption and efficacy: Some purists/sceptics question whether the dehydrated form of the ACV in capsules is any good, since much of its potency may be lost when it is in liquid state. Processing might destroy some of the acetic acid and beneficial constituents.

Purity and Additives: ACV pills might contain additives such as fillers, binders, and other inactive ingredients not found in natural liquid vinegar. This can alter its health benefits and might introduce allergens or other components you’d prefer to avoid.

Grade: Cost: Generally, ACV pill versions are more expensive than liquid ACV, especially when considering dosage and length of time that they are taken.

Pros of Liquid ACV:

Versatility: Liquid ACV is multifunctional and can be taken, added to various dressings and marinades or diluted in water. As part of a skin-care regime, it can also be topically applied.

Instant absorption: The liquid form enables immediate absorption and likely makes the acetic acid far more effective, especially if you’re looking for digestive benefits.

Cost-Effectiveness: Liquid ACV is often less expensive and more readily available than pills.

Cons of Liquid ACV:

Acidity It’s a powerful acid and abrasive, especially if taken undiluted. This can result in gastrointestinal distress, and strain on the oesophagus and tooth enamel To wash and handle well.

I Tried Apple Cider Vinegar PILLS for 2 WEEKS

Inconvenience: taking a dose and mixing the drink are more effortful than simply swallowing a pill.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Between the Two Forms:

Dietary Preferences: For those sensitive to taste and smell, pills might be preferable.

Lifestyle Needs: If convenience and portability are priorities, pills are the better choice.

Health considerations: Swallowing the vinegar as a pill can help those with a sensitive stomach or teeth.

Cost: Budget constraints might influence the choice, with liquid vinegar generally being more economical.

In summary, liquid and pill forms of ACV can both aid weight-loss attempts, so the preference between the two forms depends on your need, preference and tolerance. As with every supplement, you should consult with your medical care provider before taking ACV, especially if you have chronic health issues or are on medication.

Conclusion

In this article, we’ve covered the many facets and benefits of apple cider vinegar (ACV) pills, specifically detailing their uses for weight loss. Acetic acid is the vital component of apple cider vinegar, and with ACV pills encapsulating the ingredient, one can avoid the harsh taste of the liquid vinegar as well as the potential dental erosion that it may cause.

Effectiveness and Safety of ACV Pills for Weight Loss:

ACV pills reduce appetite: Acetic acid might give ACV pills their appetite-reducing powers, by increasing satiety sensations and reducing overall calorie intake.

Metabolic Boost: ACV may help boost resting metabolic rate and burn more fat, possibly helping people to shed pounds.

Safety note: Generally speaking, ACV pills are safe for most people to take, however, be aware that they might cause digestive discomfort for some. Caution is warranted for those who have a history of such health ailments, as well as for anyone on other medications.

Conclusion: It is practical to think about using ACV pills as weight loss supplements as they allow a person to receive the positive impacts of ACV without the drawbacks that come with taking ACV in form of a liquid.However, the truth is that no supplement can replace a healthy diet and regular physical activities. ACV pills can be a supportive part of a holistic programme of weight loss, but should by no means constitute it as a sole measure.

So, if ACV pills also deserve the attention of people looking to lose weight and improve their health, what should you look for in a product? Pick the ones that are clear about their ingredients and manufacturing steps, to be safe that you are not taking some mixed chemical in the bottle. After all, the evidence supporting the role of acetic acid in aiding weight loss and health comes from the juice, mostly mixed with water. While taking ACV pills can be beneficial for these goals, and when used as part of an overall healthier diet and lifestyle with other approaches likely to be more potent.