Weight loss is a common goal for many people, with a multi-billion pound industry built around it.
While the consensus from health bodies is that we need to stick to a healthy, balanced diet and exercise regularly to stay a healthy weight there are several “quick-fix” hacks about that claim to help you shed the pounds.
One such hack is adding apple cider vinegar to your daily diet. Endorsed by many celebrities, this drink when mixed with water can supposedly boost weight loss efforts. It is famously part of Victoria Beckham and Kourtney Kardashian’s healthy eating regimes.
A recent study published in BMJ Nutrition, Prevention and Health, found that drinking three doses of apple cider vinegar daily reduced body mass index, weight and waist circumference. It also improved blood sugar levels and cholesterol levels.
While this is certainly encouraging if you are looking to lose weight, there are a number of caveats that come with consuming apple cider vinegar. More specifically, there are three potential health risks that need to be considered.
Tooth damage
Apple cider vinegar contains malic acid and acetic acid which have an average pH of between 2.5 and 3.0.
This can weaken the enamel on your teeth, according to Elmsleigh House Dental Clinic.
It says: “Weakened enamel increases your vulnerability to tooth decay and cavities, and can increase teeth sensitivity.
“People who drink an excessive amount of undiluted apple cider vinegar may even experience swelling or burns inside their mouth.”
In fact, one alarming medical case study from 2012 reported how a 15-year-old girl ended up with dental decay due to drinking 237ml of undiluted apple cider vinegar a day.
You should always make sure you’re diluting the vinegar correctly to protect your teeth and avoid any avoidable trips to the dentist.
It’s advised people stick to at least five to 10 parts water to every one part vinegar, avoiding the vinegar as a mouthwash at all costs.
You can also purchase apple cider vinegar in capsule form, but these should also be washed down with plenty of water.
Skin and throat damage
Aside from damage to your teeth, the drink can also be detrimental to your skin and throat.
A study published in The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology in 2015 noted the case of a 14-year-old girl who ended up with a chemical burn after using apple cider vinegar as a “remedy” to remove unwanted “ugly moles” from her nose.
According to Healthline, a review of harmful liquids accidentally swallowed by children determined that acetic acid found in vinegar was the most common acid that caused throat burns.
Indigestion and discomfort
WebMD notes that some people may experience indigestion or nausea after taking apple cider vinegar.
It is therefore recommended not to drink it on an empty stomach, and stop taking it if you feel sick or throw up.
Medical News Today also warns that the drink could cause diarrhoea.
It adds: “Apple cider vinegar might also destroy some types of bacteria in the gut that are good for digestion.
“This could irritate the gut and lead to diarrhoea.”
