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Health & Wellness

Evidence Based Fact Checked

How To Use Apple Cider Vinegar For Weight Loss (+Best ACV Drink Recipe!)

Written by Shelby Torrese

Reviewed by Liz Brown

Find out how to use apple cider vinegar for weight loss and how to make the best apple cider vinegar detox drink for losing belly fat.

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You’ve probably heard of the apple cider vinegar craze, or maybe you’re already a part of it! People have been using apple cider vinegar for weight loss for years, mostly with apple cider vinegar detox drinks. These drinks can range from straight shots to honey-infused elixirs, and are almost always pushed for the link between apple cider vinegar and belly fat. Yup, studies have shown that apple cider vinegar is actually great for reducing belly fat and increasing weight loss. [6] That’s what hooked me!

I used to absolutely dread taking apple cider vinegar. In college, my girlfriends and I would start every morning with a shot (which is not advised, by the way!) We were convinced apple cider vinegar and belly fat would cancel each other out. As in, if we just took the nasty shot, we’d lose belly fat, and the harsh taste would all be worth it.

When I told my mom how I went from a cute muffin-top teen to a flat tummy 20-year-old, she looked so disappointed. She told me that taking shots of apple cider vinegar was so bad for my esophagus and stomach! Who knew?!

To help anyone out there who is convinced shots of the not-so-sweet vinegar are the only way to lose weight, or anyone looking for new apple cider vinegar detox recipes, I want to clear a few things

In today’s blog post, we’ll talk about:

 

What Is Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)?

Apple cider vinegar, often referred to as ACV, is a vinegar made from fermented apple juice. While accurate, I find the name to be deceiving. When I think of apple cider, I think of warm, cinnamon-y holiday cheer. Let me warn you, that is nowhere near how apple cider vinegar tastes. It’s quite bitter, stringent even, and is pretty gnarly when taken straight. You can get creative with apple cider vinegar detox drinks, though, and make it more pleasant by adding herbs, honey, or maple syrup. Spoiler: I’ve tried them all, and they’re each a varying degree of bleh. But don’t worry, I spill my favorite way to get the weight loss, metabolism boosting benefits of apple cider vinegar in a delicious blend shortly. 😉

 

Apple Cider Vinegar Benefits

While the most notable benefits of apple cider vinegar seem to be apple cider vinegar for weight loss and the relationship between apple cider vinegar and belly fat, this popular vinegar actually claims a lot of health benefits, some being it may [1, 2]:

 

How Does ACV Help With Weight Loss?

One study on apple cider vinegar for weight loss found that daily apple cider vinegar detox drinks helped to reduce participants’ overall body weight, slimmed their hip circumference, and even lowered their appetite. Small scale benefits also included lower total cholesterol levels and increased HDL, or “good” cholesterol. [4] This goes to show that there is, in fact, a positive relationship between apple cider vinegar and belly fat. Victory!

Healthy glucose levels and maintaining a healthy weight go hand-in-hand. Another study conducted the impact of apple cider vinegar on insulin levels. They split a group into two—one that had apple cider vinegar after their meal, and one that received a placebo. The apple cider vinegar group, not surprisingly, showed significantly lower blood glucose levels. [3] 

I know what people really want to know is how much apple cider vinegar or how many apple cider vinegar detox drinks they need to take to lose weight. While there isn’t a hard and fast rule about the right amount of apple cider vinegar for weight loss, the general rule of thumb is around 2 tablespoons. [5] But again, that’s just a general guideline, and not a prescription.

You may be surprised to hear that I have no idea how much apple cider vinegar I’ve been taking, and I’ve experienced incredible weight loss! That’s because my favorite apple cider vinegar detox drink is actually in a unique blend of 34 other metabolism boosting superfoods. Yup, and I’ll spill all the tea on what it is very soon.

green superfood powder

 

 

The Best Apple Cider Vinegar Detox Drink

I know it’s become pretty popular to take shots of apple cider vinegar like you’re throwing the healthiest 21st birthday of all time, but let’s take a look at why you may want to stick to vodka shots. Or, at least, stop taking shots of apple cider vinegar. 😂

The tart, bitter sting of apple cider vinegar is a double-edged sword. It is great for boosting immunity, weight loss, and all of the other great benefits previously mentioned. However, because of the highly acidic nature of apple cider vinegar, taking it straight (and a lot of it!) will irritate your esophagus and stomach over time, and may even cause long-lasting damage. That burn you feel after an apple cider vinegar shot? That’s your esophagus crying. At least, that’s what my mom said. 🤷‍♀️ 

It’s also worth mentioning that undiluted apple cider vinegar is extremely acidic and can wreak havoc onyour tooth enamel! If you’re hoping to have a Colgate smile, taking undiluted shots of ACV can actually increase your vulnerability to tooth decay, cavities, and causes tooth sensitivity! (Nothing you’ll want to smile over!)

The recommended way of taking apple cider vinegar straight is either a shot of 2 tablespoons, or 10 parts water to every 1 part apple cider vinegar. I don’t know about you, but for me, 10 big gulps of diluted apple cider vinegar water is literally THE WORST. Instead, I like to take it in a blended mix of other energizing, weight loss superfoods. Skinny Greens is my go-to apple cider vinegar detox drink because it’s delicious, effective, and is super quick to make and take on-the-go. All you do is add water! Plus, it’s deliciously masked with a green apple flavor. You’d never even know it has apple cider vinegar in it at all! That’s the best part. All of the benefits of apple cider vinegar for weight loss, without the sting or damage!

The Bottom Line On Apple Cider Vinegar For Weight Loss

Apple cider vinegar absolutely contains some amazing health and weight-related benefits. From the examples and studies I shared, we know that there are absolutely ties between apple cider vinegar and belly fat, and that the best way to take the beloved cider is not in shot form.

Even though a quick fix may be tempting, we all know that slow and steady wins the race. Whether it be losing weight, gaining muscle, or simply doing things that make us happier, small steps each day will make for great change. And now we know that when taking apple cider vinegar for weight loss, there are responsible and enjoyable ways to do so!
I’ve created a morning ritual out of making my apple cider vinegar detox drink. Instead of pouring a shot and cringing through it, I now get to grab my favorite glass, fill it with water, pour one scoop of my favorite apple cider vinegar blend, Skinny Greens, and take my time stirring it, knowing that delicious, healthy sips await. So, the next time you’re in need of some support on your weight loss journey, try Skinny Greens. It’s a drink you can feel good about, and enjoy! 💚

About The Author

Shelby Torrese

Nutrition, Movement & Meditation Coach

Shelby Torrese is a wellness enthusiast (and matcha fanatic!) from Miami, FL. She attributes her love of movement to her mom, a personal trainer, and her love of food to her dad, a farmer. She studied creative writing in college while getting her yoga certification, and went on to pursue fitness and nutrition in grad school. Her go-to advice is, “Balance,” and she is a firm believer that the ocean can cure just about everything.

  • Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga Teacher
  • NASM Certified Nutrition Coach
  • M.S. in Human Performance

 

Reviewed By

Liz Brown

Fitness & Nutrition Expert (CPT., FNS.)

Liz is a health & wellness expert, writer, and editor with over a decade of experience in the fitness & nutrition industry. She emphasizes research and simplifies complex topics to help make healthy living simple and sustainable. When she isn't researching and writing, she's sharing delicious recipes, easy DIYs, and home decor tips on her blog and social media.

More from Liz, visit: Personal Blog, TikTok, Instagram

Credentials

  • NASM Certified Personal Trainer(since 2012)
  • NASM Certified Fitness Nutrition Specialist (since 2014)
  • Credentialed Coach Practitioner, Coach Training Academy
  • B.A. Liberal Studies (Health & Nutrition Sciences)
  • A.A. Liberal Arts (STEM)

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