Apple cider vinegar (also known as ACV) has many uses, but it is well-known as a substance used to aid weight loss. However, is the drink more effective than the supplement? Let’s find out!
Apple Cider Vinegar Drink
Some think that drinking apple cider vinegar is the only way to get the health benefits and weight loss. It has been found in several scientific studies that drinking diluted ACV can help with decreasing body fat, as well as controlling blood sugar levels, and reducing cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
It’s the acetic acid in ACV that is responsible for those things, and one of the reasons scientists think apple cider vinegar is effective for weight loss is because it slows stomach emptying, which stops you from feeling hungry for longer.
Other studies have shown that ACV taken as a beverage alongside meals high in carbs can make you feel fuller and tends to lead to people eating between 200-275 calories less for the rest of the day. ACV is also able to break down fatty deposits in the body and improve circulation, which helps to lower pressure in the arteries.
The best kind of ACV to look for has something called the ‘apple cider vinegar with mother’. This ‘mother’ ACV is unfiltered, unrefined, darker than filtered vinegar, and comes with stringy, wispy floating pieces in it - these are known as ‘the mother’.
Don’t let this put you off. These bits are said to be packed with gut-friendly probiotics (acetic acid bacteria), but this kind of vinegar does cost more than the ‘motherless’ type!
One downside to drinking ACV is that it can erode tooth enamel, and it can make you feel nauseous if you take it on an empty stomach. There’s also the sour taste to deal with! Dilute ACV well in water before drinking it, and take it with meals.
Apple Cider Vinegar Supplement
If you don’t like the taste of ACV or have other reasons for not drinking it, there are ACV pills/capsules you can take as a supplement.
While some claim that supplements are not as effective for weight loss, if they contain the same acetic acid active component as liquid ACV, then they can be just as good. You do, however, need to source your supplements from a reputable brand, as the amount of active components can differ.
While drinking ACV in liquid form is slightly easier for the body to absorb, it is highly acidic and damaging to tooth enamel if you don’t take precautions, as we mentioned earlier.
One advantage the capsules have is that they don’t damage your teeth, therefore you can take larger quantities than the liquid form. In the end, it comes down to personal preference in how you want to take your ACV, but no one form is really better than the other - just make sure you buy good-quality ACV supplements.
