Medicinal Vinegar Dates Back Millennia

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The key to vinegar's health-promoting properties lies in its high concentration of acetic acid, and not beneficial properties of the culinary condiment. The “mother” in apple cider vinegar is a unique mix of bacteria, yeast and cellulose that forms during fermentation, but the mother does not perform specific weight loss functions. Moreover, acetic acid’s role as a supplement for slowing digestive processes is marginal when compared to the latest compounded weight loss medications. Dietary vinegar does, however, contain nutrients and antioxidants.

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Vinegar's medicinal use dates back millennia. Ancient Babylonians were using date palm vinegar for food preservation and medicine as early as 5,000 B.C. The Greeks and Romans recognized its healing potential too and Roman soldiers carried “posca,” a vinegar and water drink, to stay hydrated and prevent illness during campaigns. During medieval times, “Four Thieves Vinegar” was believed to protect looters against infection from the plague.

Although ACV is not a magic weight-loss solution, ACV might have a modest effect on weight loss, primarily by helping to suppress appetite. However, studies showing weight loss results also involved participants following calorie-restricted diets and exercising regularly. Plus, vinegar’s high acidity makes it effective against certain bacteria strains and plant-based polyphenols may protect cells from free radicals and oxidative stress.

BMJ Group Retracts Previous ACV Study

In March 2024, a clinical trial published in the BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health journal captured international attention with bold claims about apple cider vinegar's weight loss benefits. The news spread like wildfire across social media platforms. Although the BMJ Group journal characterized the inaccuracies documented in the original study as "honest mistakes," the damage highlighted a crucial lesson about scrutinizing bold health claims, even from reputable international publications and especially from social media posts.

A study suggesting apple cider vinegar helps with weight loss has been retracted by BMJ Group, as of September 2025, after experts uncovered major flaws in its data and methodology. BMJ Group advises journalist and others to stop referencing a study that once suggested drinking small amounts of apple cider vinegar each day could support weight loss in people who are overweight or obese.

Dr. Helen Macdonald - Ethics & Content Editor at BMJ Group

Despite this controversy, apple cider vinegar isn't complete snake oil. The truth lies somewhere between miracle cure and myth. ACV's active ingredient, acetic acid, can slow gastric emptying and naturally reduce appetite, leading to modest calorie reduction that are similar to how GLP-1 medications work, though the actual results were far less dramatic than what the retracted study claimed. This viral incident serves as an important reminder for both researchers and consumers to remain critical when evaluating clinical findings online.

What the "mother" is and what it’s not...

While apple cider vinegar with the mother is often promoted online as a cure-all, it's important to understand what the science actually shows. Many health claims regarding the mother are based on anecdotal evidence or limited research. Most scientific studies suggest that ACV's primary benefits come from acetic acid, which is the main active ingredient found in all types of vinegar, rather than the cloudy sediment itself. When consumed daily in small amounts before meals, apple cider vinegar with the mother may help support gut health.

The mother is perfectly safe for most people to consume and isn't a sign of spoilage, but the mother does not provide any special “detoxing” powers, as online influencers suggested. However, some studies have shown that consuming apple cider vinegar before starchy meals can help regulate blood sugar and may have modest effects on weight management by reducing appetite and daily calorie intake. But once again, these benefits appear to be primarily due to acetic acid, not the mother specifically.

Health Benefits of Dietary Vinegar

A very rich history of vinegar being highly valued for millennia suggests it was never valued as a miracle cure but simply as an important tool. Whether you prefer your vinegar with the mother or without, remember that the potential benefits come primarily from the acetic acid content, which is the active ingredient that's present in all types of dietary vinegar. So save your money on buying expensive "raw" varieties unless you simply prefer the taste or texture of unfiltered dietary vinegar.

• Blood Sugar Control: The key to success lies in proper timing and targeting the right meals. Research indicates that consuming diluted vinegar before carbohydrate-rich meals, especially those containing starches, delivers the most significant blood sugar benefits for better glucose control.
• Weight Control: Research indicates that when apple cider vinegar or other dietary vinegars are incorporated into a healthy lifestyle, including balanced nutrition and regular exercise, they can contribute to modest reductions in weight, body mass index (BMI), and unwanted body fat.
• Antioxidant Effects: When it comes to nutritional value, darker varieties like balsamic, ACV and red wine vinegar tend to contain higher levels of plant-based antioxidants called polyphenols that can protect cells from free radicals, than do lighter counterparts such as white wine or rice vinegar.
• Heart Health: Adding a dietary vinegar to your daily diet could do wonders for your heart. The acetic acid found in apple cider and other dietary vinegars has been linked to several cardiovascular benefits like improved cholesterol and better blood pressure due to more relaxed blood vessels.
• Digestive Health: Dietary vinegar may help lower insulin levels by improving insulin sensitivity, which can support weight management; maintaining a healthy weight is, in turn, a key factor in preventing heart disease for an additional layer of cardiovascular protection.

The retraction of the 2024 BMJ study serves as an important reminder to approach health claims (especially viral social media posts) with healthy skepticism. While apple cider vinegar, with or without the mother, isn't the magical weight loss solution that internet claims suggested, it does show promise as a health-supporting ingredient when used as part of a balanced lifestyle. The key is maintaining realistic expectations. If you choose to add ACV to your diet, view it as a complementary rather than a replacement for proper nutrition and exercise.

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With so many viral claims circulating online, it's important to separate science-backed evidence from social media hype. Dietary vinegar may offer modest health benefits when combined with a healthy diet and regular exercise, but it's not a magic bullet for weight loss or other metabolic health issues. Metabolic Research Center has been helping people improve their metabolic health for decades. Take our 2-minute quiz to “Find Your Fit” and you’ll receive an instant download for our FREE Kickstart Guide that includes meal planning, recipes and much more.