Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar: what meta-analyses of randomized trials show for blood sugar, cholesterol and body weight, how short and small the evidence is, and what we could not verify about safety.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
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Overview and identity
Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is a fermented beverage made from apples. [1] Searches are large for ACV benefits, gummies and weight loss. This page reports what pooled analyses of randomized trials found, and where we found no source on safety.What the research shows
| Use | What the review found | Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Blood sugar and cholesterol | A 2021 meta-analysis of 9 studies found ACV consumption lowered total cholesterol (-6.06 mg/dL), fasting glucose (-7.97 mg/dL) and HbA1c (-0.50), with no significant effect on LDL, HDL, fasting insulin or insulin resistance. Effects on glucose and HDL appeared to go the other way in apparently healthy participants. [2] | Small changes, mixed |
| Body weight | A 2025 meta-analysis of 10 randomized trials (789 people, at least 4 weeks) found daily ACV reduced body weight, BMI and waist circumference. Benefits were suggested in studies up to 12 weeks, at a dose of 30 mL/day, and in adults who were overweight, obese or had type 2 diabetes. The authors call it a possible short-term adjunct, with substantial variation between studies (I2 up to 83%). [1] | Short-term, variable |
These pooled results are for ACV drinks or supplements in trials; they do not show ACV treats diabetes or high cholesterol. Do not use it in place of diabetes or cholesterol medicine.
Gummies and "ACV for hair or skin"
We did not read trials of ACV gummies, or of ACV on hair or skin, so we make no claim.Safety
We could not find a regulator or review source we could read on throat or tooth effects, drug interactions, or amounts for ACV, so we give none. Ask a pharmacist, especially if you take diabetes medicine (blood sugar can fall), and do not swallow undiluted vinegar or put it on skin without advice.Frequently asked questions
Does apple cider vinegar help weight loss?
A 2025 meta-analysis found reductions in weight, BMI and waist circumference in short trials, with wide variation between studies. [1]
Does ACV lower blood sugar?
A 2021 meta-analysis found lower fasting glucose and HbA1c, though results varied and effects appeared different in healthy people. [2]
References
- Castagna A, et al. Effect of Apple Cider Vinegar Intake on Body Composition in Humans with Type 2 Diabetes and/or Overweight: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Nutrients. 2025;17(18):3000. PubMed 41010525.
- Hadi A, et al. The effect of apple cider vinegar on lipid profiles and glycemic parameters: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. BMC Complement Med Ther. 2021;21(1):179. PubMed 34187442.