Apple cider vinegar
A fermented apple product containing acetic acid, promoted for appetite and weight control.
Also known as ACV, acetic acid.
What to know
No established lasting weight benefit; a prominent trial was retracted.
Editorial summary reviewed . Literature and label checks below have separate dates.
What the evidence says
Meaningful, lasting weight loss has not been established. BMJ retracted the widely reported 2024 weight-loss trial after concerns about the data and analysis; its results should not support benefit claims.
Marketed as: A popular home remedy promoted for appetite and blood sugar. A proposed mechanism or a finding about an ingredient does not establish benefit for every finished product.
What to watch for
Its acidity can damage tooth enamel and irritate the throat. Interactions with insulin or diuretics can contribute to low potassium; discuss use with a clinician if taking these medicines.
Literature search counts
Counts · Oct 3, 2026 UTC- RCT-tagged publications
- 11 (RCT-tagged publications)
- Systematic-review publications
- 20 (Systematic-review publications)
- All search matches
- 799 (All search matches)
These are search matches, not a count of independent trials or proof of benefit. Publication types overlap. Results may include animal research, articles mentioning several ingredients, or retracted work. Counts do not assess study quality and may change after retrieval.
NIH product-label records
A sample of NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database records. Listing is not FDA approval, proof of effectiveness or confirmation a product is still sold.
- Apple Cider VinegarFresh NutritionCapsule
- Apple Cider Vinegar ComplexOff marketRise-N-ShineCapsule
- Apple Cider Vinegar GummiesGoli NutritionGummy or Jelly
Apple cider vinegar: common questions
Does Apple cider vinegar work for weight loss?
Meaningful, lasting weight loss has not been established. BMJ retracted the widely reported 2024 weight-loss trial after concerns about the data and analysis; its results should not support benefit claims. It is not a substitute for an FDA-approved GLP-1 medication.
Is Apple cider vinegar a GLP-1 or "natural Ozempic"?
No. Apple cider vinegar is a dietary supplement marketed as "natural GLP-1" support, but it is not a GLP-1 receptor agonist and is not FDA-approved to treat obesity or type 2 diabetes. It does not work the way semaglutide or tirzepatide do. To see the mechanism it is said to mimic, Humanome shows how semaglutide acts on the pancreas, stomach and liver.
Is Apple cider vinegar safe?
Its acidity can damage tooth enamel and irritate the throat. Interactions with insulin or diuretics can contribute to low potassium; discuss use with a clinician if taking these medicines. Dietary supplements are not reviewed by the FDA for safety and quality the way approved drugs are, so talk with a licensed clinician before starting, especially alongside a prescription medication.