That bottle of apple cider vinegar in your pantry right now? It's probably been there for a really long time. You even use it once in awhile on homemade pickles, marinades, and salad dressing. But now, people are discovering special health benefits for apple cider vinegar.
According to WebMD, apple cider vinegar has been credited with curing everything from the flu to warts. Many of its supposed benefits are unproven, but some experts think that adding a little of this sour liquid to your life may have some health benefits.
A recent study to test the idea in people was done in Japan. In the study, 175 obese but healthy people took either vinegar or water daily for 12 weeks. Their diets were similar. They kept food journals. At the end of the study, those who used vinegar had lost slightly more weight. On average, the vinegar group lost 1-2 pounds over the 3-month period. They gained it all back after the study was over, reports WebMD.
The researchers suggest that vinegar may turn on certain genes involved in breaking down fats.
The effect is probably very subtle, says Chicago dietitian Debbie Davis, RD. "It may have some benefits in terms of weight loss and weight management, but it is definitely not a quick fix."
If you want to lose weight, you'll still need to exercise and practice portion control, the article on WebMD reported.