Is Apple Cider Vinegar Worth the Hype? An Expert Breaks It Down

If you follow health trends on the internet, you've probably heard about a few seemingly perfect superfoods—an array of magical pixie dusts that will be the antidote to all your woes (anyone else still riding the coconut oil bandwagon?). However, even if exaggerated, many of these touted products do have real health benefits. The trick is separating the truth from the snake oil, which can be hard to do with so much information out there, much of which comes from questionable sources.

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is another example of a product that has humble roots as a trend in natural health circles, but has quickly gone mainstream. With claims ranging from weight loss to improved blood sugar control, the tart elixir made from fermented apples has become a pantry and medicine cabinet staple for many. For those who are interested, there is no shortage of ways you can use ACV, from making a health tonic by diluting the vinegar with water, to brightening up a salad dressing, to integrated it into your skincare and hair care routine. But is this magical potion too good to be true? We asked Rebecca Ditkoff, MPH, RD, a registered dietitian in New York City and founder of Nutrition by RD, to give us the scoop on the health benefits, drawbacks, and things to know about apple cider vinegar.

Apple Cider Vinegar Benefits

There are several health benefits that have been associated with consuming apple cider vinegar, such as improved gut health, regulating blood sugar, lowering cholesterol, and minimizing feelings of hunger. However, as Ditkoff reminds us, purported health claims don't always equate into scientifically backed truth.

"Overall, there has not been a significant amount of research done on the effects of ACV," she says. Most of the studies done on weight loss and cholesterol were not conducted on humans, meaning that their positive results may not translate into reality for you. There are a few small studies that have been done on humans linking apple cider vinegar consumption with weight loss and blood sugar control, but it's not enough to prove ACV as a surefire way to manage weight quite yet.

One popularly touted side effect of including ACV in your diet is improved gut health. This benefit mainly comes from the presence of acetic acid, which is formed when the sugar in apples ferments. Because of this fermentation process, apple cider is grouped into the probiotics category, but it's ability to truly improve your digestive health is questionable. You'd be better off eating fermented foods that have a higher probiotic count, like sauerkraut, kimchi, yogurt, or kefir, according to Ditkoff. She also makes an important distinction: "Not all ACV on the shelves are created equal. If you want to receive probiotics, then you'll want to look into purchasing raw, unpasteurized apple cider vinegar with the mother."

"Apple Cider Vinegar Detox"

One rumor circulating that Ditkoff and other dietitians would like to debunk once and for all, is that apple cider vinegar, or any other substance, acts as a detoxification agent in the body. "Our bodies do an excellent job of detoxing on their own. 'Detoxing' is precisely what our liver, kidneys and intestines are for," she says. "These organs work together to eliminate toxins and waste from our body, while also helping your body absorb the beneficial nutrients from whatever you eat." So don't bother chugging ACV in the hopes that it will help you recover from a wild weekend—just drink more water and help your body do what it does best.

Other Apple Cider Vinegar Uses