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8-Hour Time-Restricted Eating May Greatly Increase Risk of Cardiovascular Death
- People who ate within a daily 8-hour window had a higher risk for cardiovascular death.
- Those with heart disease or cancer also had a higher risk of cardiovascular death.
- The study further found that this eating pattern was not associated with living longer.
- Time-restricted eating could lead to metabolic effects that affect cardiovascular health.
- A safer eating pattern might be one that involves moderation and healthy food choices.
According to research presented at the American Heart Association’s Epidemiology and Prevention │ Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Scientific Sessions 2024, held from March 18-21 in Chicago, those who ate within an 8-hour window and fasted the rest of the time had a 91% higher risk of dying from cardiovascular disease.
The study further found that those with heart disease or cancer also had an increased risk.
Also, restricting eating to less than 8 hours per day did not lead to a longer lifespan.
These findings were in comparison with people who ate between 12-16 hours each day.
The study authors write that this type of intermittent fasting, known as time-restricted eating (TRE), has become quite popular.
It involves limiting yourself to eating only during a certain number of hours. For example, an 8-hour TRE plan could involve eating a late breakfast at 10 a.m. and completing the final meal of the day by 6 p.m.
While TRE does not involve counting calories, the belief is that people will naturally consume less, potentially helping them lose weight as well as providing them with other health benefits.
How the link between TRE and cardiovascular death risk was studied
The researchers state that most short-term randomized controlled trials have found that TRE improves certain measures of cardiometabolic risk, such as blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and blood sugar. However, the long-term effects are not known.
Their goal for the study was to determine whether TRE is linked with a reduced risk of dying from all causes as well as from specific causes.
To gather information about the dietary patterns of the over 20,000 American adults who participated in the study, the team looked at data from the 2003-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) and compared it to information about people who died between these years obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Death Index database.
In addition to the aforementioned findings regarding increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease, they found that people with existing cardiovascular disease who had an eating window of between 8 to 10 hours had a 66% higher risk of dying from either stroke or heart disease.
Also, TRE did not lessen the overall risk of death from any cause.
However, eating for less than 16 hours per day was linked with a lower risk of dying from cancer in those who had the disease.
The study authors stated in a press release that they were “surprised” by their findings since TRE has shown short-term cardiometabolic benefits.
“It’s crucial for patients, particularly those with existing heart conditions or cancer, to be aware of the association between an 8-hour eating window and increased risk of cardiovascular death,” said senior author Victor Wenze Zhong, Ph.D.
“Our study’s findings encourage a more cautious, personalized approach to dietary recommendations, ensuring that they are aligned with an individual’s health status and the latest scientific evidence.”
Why might TRE increase the risk of cardiovascular death?
Trista Best, MPH, RD, LD, a Registered Dietitian at Balance One Supplements, said the increase in risk might be due to potential metabolic effects and dietary patterns.
“Restricting food intake to an 8-hour window could lead to overconsumption during the eating period, especially if individuals compensate by indulging in larger meals or unhealthy foods,” she explained. “This may contribute to metabolic dysregulation, including insulin resistance, elevated blood sugar levels, and increased inflammation, all of which are risk factors for cardiovascular disease.”
Best further noted that prolonged fasting can trigger stress responses in the body, which can elevate cortisol and impact cardiovascular health.
Following an “extreme eating pattern” could also lead to nutritional deficiencies or imbalances, further exacerbating cardiovascular risk factors, she remarked.
“Therefore, while intermittent fasting can offer benefits, such as weight loss and improved metabolic health when practiced appropriately, an 8-hour time-restricted eating window may pose risks if not followed mindfully and balanced with overall dietary quality and lifestyle factors,” Best concluded.
Limitations of the study
Catherine Rall, RD, a Registered Dietitian with Happy V, said “This study doesn’t actually show a causal connection between intermittent fasting and cardiovascular death, just a correlation.”
This means that while there is a statistical link between TRE and death, the study is not constructed in a manner that would allow us to definitively say that there wasn’t some third factor that actually caused these deaths.
“It also doesn’t control for any other underlying factors like what people were eating or what kinds of underlying health conditions people had,” she said.
What might be a healthier eating pattern?
Cardiologist Karishma Patwa, MD, who is with Manhattan Cardiology in New York City as well as a contributor to LabFinder, stated, “While we shouldn’t rule out TRE completely, the focus should always be on living a healthy lifestyle and indulging in moderation.”
As far as a specific way of eating, Patwa suggests the Mediterranean-DASH diet, which is also known as the MIND diet.
“The Mediterranean-DASH diet has been shown to reduce CV risk,” she said.
This diet offers a fusion between the Mediterranean diet and the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet.
Both of these eating plans emphasize consuming more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
They also suggest shying away from processed foods, added sugars, and excess sodium.
Takeaway
A study has found that people who ate their food for the day within an 8-hour window had a 91% higher risk for cardiovascular death.
People with cancer or heart disease were at greater risk for cardiovascular death as well.
The study further found that this eating pattern was not associated with living longer.
Time-restricted eating could lead to metabolic effects that affect cardiovascular health.
A safer eating pattern might be one that involves moderation and healthy food choices.
For People With ADHD, The Right Medication May Lower Mortality Risk
- A new study out of Sweden found that people taking ADHD medications had a lower mortality risk.
- About 9.8% of children in the U.S. have been diagnosed with ADHD.
- Experts say this study shows why it’s important for people with ADHD symptoms to get tested an receive treatment quickly.
A new study of people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) suggested that medication for the condition was associated with an overall lower rate of mortality, particularly for unnatural causes of death.
Study followed people with ADHD for 11 years
The study, which incorporated data from national registries in Sweden, utilized a target trial emulation approach to determine whether starting medication for ADHD was associated with mortality in nearly 150,00 people.
The study was published March 12 in JAMA.
The median age for diagnosis of ADHD was 17.4 years, but the study examined people between the ages of 6 and 64 from Jan. 1, 2007, to Dec. 31, 2018, who had not taken any medication for ADHD for at least 18 months before their diagnosis.
The medications involved in the study were the six that were licensed in Sweden for the treatment of ADHD from 2007 to 2020: methylphenidate, amphetamine, dexamphetamine, lisdexamfetamine, atomoxetine, and guanfacine.
More than half of the people examined in the study — 84,204 — initiated medication treatment within three months of their diagnosis of ADHD; 64,296 did not take medication within that period. The crude 2-year mortality rate was nearly twice as low for people who took medication — 17.3 per 10,000 people — than those who did not — 31.8 per 10,000 people.
The results were even more pronounced among unnatural causes of mortality (eg, unintentional injuries, suicide, and accidental poisonings).
How is ADHD associated with higher mortality risk?
The study authors note that these findings show correlation, not causation meaning these findings are not proof of a direct link between these medications and mortality rates.
However, the authors point out there has not been much research on this subject previously and that there have only been three studies to examine this link.
The researchers also noted that this is the first study to “rigorously” examine the association of mortality with adults that have ADHD, and given the higher rate of comorbidities in adults with ADHD compared with children and teenagers, it does provide a larger window for examination.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as of 2022, the percentage of children in the U.S. between the ages of 3 and 17 who ever received a diagnosis of ADHD is 10.2%.
Prevalence of the diagnosis worldwide, the study authors note, is 5.9% in youths and 2.5% in adults; the U.S. prevalence is estimated as 9.8% for children and adolescents and 4.4% in adults. And those diagnosed with ADHD have a “2-fold increased risk of premature death” compared with those who are not, the authors state.
Dr. Thomas MacLaren, a member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in England and a consultant psychiatrist at Re:Cognition Health Ltd. in London, who was not involved in the study, told Healthline that the study clearly shows an overall health benefit of starting medication for ADHD.
“This could give people with ADHD further encouragement to look at discussing medication for the condition with their doctor, and thinking more about long-term improvement to their general health and well-being, beyond just the treatment of their ADHD symptoms,” MacLaren said, adding that it is still unclear exactly how the medications would directly contribute to lower mortality. “As ADHD can be linked to poorer physical health, self-care, and even drug and alcohol use in some people, the extra benefits of having your symptoms controlled with the right medication could be helping boost health indirectly.”
Are certain ADHD medications better than others as far as mortality risk?
Dr. Lenard Adler, the director of the Adult ADHD Program at NYU Langone Health, who was not involved in the study, told Healthline that the study’s strengths lie in the number of people examined, the length of time, and the ability to look at potential effects of medications. However, data on how specific medications may have contributed to a reduced mortality rate was elusive.
“The study did not break out, in particular, differences amongst the medications that are approved for ADHD — they either did the stimulant medicines or the non-stimulant medicines,” Adler said. “And also you can’t attribute all of these potential changes, as the authors note, to just being due to medication; there may be lifestyle changes, which could have contributed to some of these effects.”
What does this mean for people with ADHD?
Adler said that while the study was limited as far as causality and differences between medications, it should be encouraging for anyone with ADHD or who is concerned about having it, as it offers evidence behind the benefits of treating ADHD.
“The important things here are that it, again, highlights appropriately if individuals are out there that are worried that they have ADHD to get a diagnosis and to get appropriate treatment, because we do have good treatments available,” Adler said. “I would like to see additional information regarding potential differences amongst the medications, and potentially longer observations in terms of treatment effects.”
MacLaren said further examination is needed for a number of factors surrounding ADHD medication, including lifestyle changes outside of pharmacological treatment.
“It would be good to take this further in clinical trials of ADHD to answer questions about whether they directly reduce the risk of developing certain health conditions; to make comparisons between different treatment regimens; and to correct for ‘confounders,’ including people who might already have healthier lifestyles,” MacLaren said. “You want to know if two similar people who have the same lifestyle, if one of them taking ADHD medication will lower their mortality or have other undiscovered benefits.”
Takeaway
An extensive study of nearly 150,000 people in Sweden with a diagnosis of ADHD suggested that those who took medication for ADHD had a lower overall mortality rate.
It is one of the first studies to examine the role of ADHD in mortality in adults, who often have more comorbidities associated with the condition than children or teenagers.
The study was associative, not causal, meaning there is not a direct link between specific medications and lower mortality.
Maternal Deaths May Be Overestimated, but There’s Still a Maternal Health Crisis
- New research challenges current CDC reporting about rising maternal death rates in the U.S., suggesting maternal mortality is stable and on par with other developed countries.
- The study authors claim a “pregnancy checkbox” introduced by the CDC in 2003 may have contributed to inaccurate pregnancy-related death tolls.
- Discrepancies around direct, indirect, incidental, and accidental deaths among pregnant people may have led to reporting errors, researchers say.
- The CDC disagrees with the study findings and stands by the accuracy of its data collection methods.
The ongoing maternal health crisis in the United States affects millions of women who do not have access to quality prenatal and postnatal care, particularly those who live in areas with restricted abortion access.
These disparities fuel rising maternal mortality rates that disproportionately affect women of color.
But, new research suggests that the number of maternal deaths in the past two decades may have been overestimated.
The study, published March 12 in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, shows maternal mortality in the U.S. held steady and was on par with other developed countries.
The study data also indicate that maternal deaths from direct obstetric causes declined over the past 20 years.
Researchers say the 2003 inclusion of a pregnancy checkbox on death certificates, which showed whether a person was pregnant at or near their time of death, misrepresented the increase in the number of maternal deaths.
“Our study showed that maternal mortality rates were low and stable between 1999-2002 and 2018-2021, which is very different from the high rates and dramatic increases reported by the NVSS [National Vital Statistics System] in recent years,” lead author Dr. K.S. Joseph, PhD, a Professor in the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and the School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia and the Children’s and Women’s Hospital & Health Centre of British Columbia said in a news release.
“We found that exclusive reliance on the pregnancy checkbox on death certificates, without corroboration from the cause-of-death information, led to an overestimation of maternal mortality rates by the NVSS in 2018-2021.”
Maternal death rates lower than CDC estimates
The researchers found that maternal deaths in the U.S. were stable overall, averaging at just over 10 per 100,000 live births from 1999 to 2002, as well as from 2018 to 2021.
This conflicts with maternal mortality rates reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which increased from 9.65 per 100,000 live births to 23.6 per 100,000 live births for the same time period, respectively.
These findings challenge upward trends that were previously reported by the National Vital Statistics System (NVSS), a division of the CDC.
The CDC’s 2021 maternal mortality report shows nearly a 40% increase in overall maternal deaths from 2020, with rates for non-Hispanic Black women 2.6 times higher than white women.
The CDC told Healthline the agency disagrees with the AJOG analysis.
“The methods used in the AJOG report are known to produce a substantial undercount of maternal mortality. That’s because there are maternal deaths occurring that would not otherwise be identified if the death certificate didn’t include a pregnancy checkbox,” a CDC spokesperson said.
“Capturing these otherwise unrecorded maternal deaths is critical to understanding the scope of maternal mortality in the United States and taking effective public health action to prevent these deaths. The recent report’s analysis does not address this, nor does it provide evidence of how large any potential overcount may be.”
How were new maternal death rates calculated?
Maternal deaths may occur during pregnancy, childbirth, or the postpartum period resulting from conditions directly related to pregnancy or conditions exacerbated by pregnancy and birth.
To find out whether current maternal death rates were accurate, researchers examined NCHS data from 1999 to 2021.
They examined factors that may have been driving the increase. These included:
- changes in obstetric factors
- maternal chronic conditions
- “surveillance issues” (i.e., changes in data collection methods)
They also focused on maternal deaths that included pregnancy among the causes of death on death certificates.
The researchers concluded deaths resulting from obstetric causes (i.e., preeclampsia or hemorrhaging) decreased over the time periods studied by the researchers.
Deaths resulting from indirect causes that were exacerbated by pregnancy (i.e., hypertension) increased, however.
On par with CDC reporting, non-Hispanic Black women had disproportionately high rates of maternal mortality due to complications including:
- ectopic pregnancy
- cardiovascular conditions
- kidney disease
- other diseases
The researchers determined the pregnancy checkbox was linked to higher rates of less specific and incidental causes of death.
“By not relying on the pregnancy checkbox, our approach avoided the misclassification that has given the false impression of increasing maternal mortality rates in the U.S., study co-author Dr. Justin S. Brandt, director of the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, said in the release.
“Identifying maternal deaths by requiring mention of pregnancy among the multiple causes of death shows stable maternal mortality rates and declines in maternal deaths from direct obstetric causes.”
‘Pregnancy checkbox’ miscalculations
In 2003, NCHS recommended adding a “pregnancy checkbox” to death certificates in the U.S. to better account for deaths occurring from a pregnancy complication.
As states began implementing the checkbox from 2003–2017, the CDC saw the quality of the data improve, and the maternal mortality rate was more than double the previously reported rate.
In 2018, NCHS made changes in coding rules and reporting to improve the accuracy of maternal mortality data and resumed publishing national maternal mortality rates after a pause in reporting following the phased implementation of the pregnancy checkbox.
However, the pregnancy checkbox may have led to discrepancies around how a positive checkbox was interpreted and accounted for.
For example, a pregnant person who died from high blood pressure would get a positive checkbox on their death certificate. But this is not considered a maternal death, despite the fact that her condition may have been exacerbated by pregnancy.
Another example would be a pregnant person with cancer who paused chemotherapy during pregnancy but then died of cancer because she was not able to receive treatment. This person would get a positive pregnancy checkbox, despite the cause of death being cancer, not obstetric.
“Researchers involved with the new study say the pregnancy checkbox system still accounts for many non-maternal and incidental deaths (i.e., a car accident) as maternal deaths, which they say has contributed to the errors in CDC’s maternal death rate reporting,” the CDC told Healthline.
“That said, the AJOG report confirms a prior CDC analysis, which found that the pregnancy box is sometimes mistakenly checked on death certificates, which contributes to some overcounting.”
A maternal health crisis persists, regardless of the data
Despite any disagreement over how maternal deaths are reported, experts agree that unacceptable disparities in maternal healthcare persist, fueling a disproportionate number of maternal deaths among racial and ethnic minority groups.
Looking ahead, researchers of the present study say the checkbox system could be improved by requiring physicians to specify the cause of death related to pregnancy.
“Accurate assessment of the number and causes of maternal death is an important priority for countries and healthcare policymakers. Improving maternal mortality surveillance is key to formulating plans to improve maternal health,” Dr. Roberto Romero, Editor-in-Chief for Obstetrics of the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology (AJOG), and Chief of the Pregnancy Research Branch of NICHD, NIH, said in a statement.
Anu Sharma, founder and CEO of Millie, told Healthline that mortality rates, in general, are a narrow representation of the maternal health crisis in the U.S.
“Regardless of whether or not this specific data has been miscalculated, we undoubtedly have high rates of maternal morbidity, with nearly 50,000 near misses a year, as well as high rates of c-sections, preterm births, NICU stays, and poor maternal mental health,” Sharma said.
“On top of that, racial disparities for Black birthing people are significant, as this study continues to affirm. 36% of all U.S. counties are designated maternity care deserts. As researchers, policymakers, and providers all know — reducing the U.S. maternal health crisis to methodology differences around how mortality calculations are done ignores the harsh reality of what mothers giving birth in the U.S. face today.”
Takeaway
A new study suggests that maternal mortality rates in the U.S. may be lower than previous CDC estimates due to the 2003 addition of a pregnancy checkbox on death certificates.
The CDC disagrees with how the study authors calculated maternal death rates and stands by the accuracy of the agency’s data reporting.
Regardless of whether maternal deaths are up, down, or stabilized, a maternal health crisis persists in the U.S. that must be addressed.
Experimental Blood Test May Help Detect Colon Cancer Earlier
- A blood test known as a cfDNA test has proven to be accurate in detecting colorectal cancer in the majority of cases.
- Colorectal cancer is often deadly, but screening for it can be inconvenient, so getting more adults to adhere to screening guidelines is a top priority.
- Experts believe the novel test could help bridge the gap and get more people to regularly screen for colorectal cancer.
A novel blood test for colorectal cancer screening appears effective in clinical trial data, but questions remain about how it can be utilized.
Colorectal cancer screening has a reputation for being difficult, but a new type of screening could make the process as easy as giving some blood. It could even be done during a regular check-up with your doctor.
It’s effective too, but with some caveats. In a study published this week in The New England Journal of Medicine, researchers found that a type of blood test known as a cell-free DNA blood-based test or cfDNA test was able to detect colorectal cancer in 83% of patients who had the disease. The study was funded by Guardant Health, the maker of the test.
The detection rate is similar to an already widely used at-home screening test known as a fecal immunochemical (FIT) test, which is accurate in about eight out of 10 cases.
Colonoscopies remain the “gold standard” for colorectal cancer detection and prevention but require significantly more time, scheduling, and preparation. A colonoscopy is able to accurately identify colorectal cancer in about 95% of cases.
Experts told Healthline that the combination of accuracy and accessibility could be a game changer for screening.
“It’s very, very exciting. I think this has real potential to reshape the entire landscape of colon cancer early detection,” Dr. Christopher Chen, an Assistant Professor of Oncology and Director of Early Drug Development at the Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford Medicine, told Healthline.
Dr. Ben Park, MD, PhD, Director of the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center at Vanderbilt University, told Healthline, “It’s studies like these that we really need to move the needle forward and demonstrate that there is validity, or what we call clinical validation, of a test like this. It’s not perfect, as probably everyone can read from the numbers, but it’s a big start.”
Park was not affiliated with the research but disclosed that he is currently engaged in separate clinical trials involving Guardant Health.
Accurate in 83% of cases
The results of the study come from a large, multi-center trial known as the ECLIPSE trial. Some 8,000 patients between the ages of 45 and 84. Participants were at average risk for colorectal cancer and were already undergoing routine screening for colorectal cancer.
The trial tested the effectiveness of Guardant Health’s Shield blood test compared to colonoscopy. Sixty-five participants in the trial had confirmed colorectal cancer from a colonoscopy. The cfDNA test positively identified cancer in 54 of 65 (83.1%) of those participants.
What the test does not do is test for precancerous lesions or polyps, which can develop into cancer. For precancerous lesions, the test only detected about 13% of cases.
“This test is not cancer prevention,” said Chen, “That’s an important distinction.”
Cell-free DNA blood-based tests work by detecting small DNA fragments in the blood that may be emitted by tumors or other cancerous tissue.
“I think it’s really one of the first tests that are using, for blood at least, not just mutations, but a combination of mutations and what we call, epigenetic marks or methylation of DNA as another marker for detecting cancer,” said Park.
Finding those small shreds of DNA is no easy task either, which is part of why cfDNA tests haven’t made a major breakthrough yet in screening colorectal cancer.
“It’s been actually known for decades that all of the cells in our body shed or secrete this naked free floating DNA… so the challenge, even though we’ve known about this for decades, is that the technology didn’t exist for us to really be able to sift through and pick the needle out of the haystack,” said Park.
Only two-thirds of Americans get cancer screening
Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of all cancer-related deaths. Despite how deadly the disease is, many adults do not adhere to recommended screenings. Less than 60% of adults ages 45 to 75 receive those screenings, even though these screenings could prevent an estimated 35,000 deaths (nearly 70%) annually due to colorectal cancer.
“With a screening test, you’re testing otherwise healthy people. It’s a hard concept for people to grasp,” Dr. Robert Smith, PhD, Senior Vice President of Early Cancer Detection Science at the American Cancer Society, told Healthline.
While colonoscopies are incredibly accurate at detecting precancerous lesions and colorectal cancer, many simply will ignore them because of the hassle.
The appeal of the cfDNA blood test is that, even with less accuracy, getting more patients to regularly screen for colorectal cancer could be a net positive.
“A test that a patient never receives is never going to be effective. The potential for this to be adopted much more widely is still a very positive step forward, even with certain limitations to its utility,” said Chen.
“Would we prefer to stand on principle and say there’s less expensive, more accurate tests? And by the way, people commonly don’t do them, so we have a lot of people dying from colorectal cancer because they won’t get tested. Or do we capture the patient in the office and essentially make getting screened pretty simple and pretty appealing?” said Smith.
“We’re fairly loyal to the most accurate test. But it may be that the most accurate test is the test that a sizable fraction of the population will use,” he said.
The bottom line
A new blood test is able to detect colorectal cancer in about 83% of cases, similar to some at-home screening tests.
Colorectal cancer is one of the most deadly forms of cancer, but not enough adults regularly screen for it.
Experts believe the new test could help bridge the gap of accessibility and get more adults screened regularly.
Drinking 1 Tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar Daily Linked to Weight Loss
- People who drank a small amount of apple cider vinegar each day lost weight and saw decreases in BMI and waist circumference.
- They also saw improvements in metabolic markers such as levels of blood glucose, triglycerides, and total cholesterol.
- Experts say apple cider vinegar, if used for weight loss, should be used alongside a healthy diet, physical activity, and other lifestyle changes.
Apple cider vinegar, made from fermented apple juice, is a tasty base for salad dressings. But it could also help people lose weight and improve their metabolic health, a recent study suggests.
Researchers found that people who drank up to 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar a day, mixed in water, had decreases in body weight, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference.
They also saw improvements in metabolic markers such as blood levels of glucose, triglycerides, and total cholesterol.
The study was published Mar. 12 in BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health.
Researchers investigate if apple cider vinegar can boost weight loss
The study included 120 adolescents and young adults (aged 12 to 25 years) from Lebanon who had obesity or were overweight. Almost two-thirds of the participants were female. Most reported not having an exercise routine.
None of the participants were taking medications. Large doses of apple cider vinegar may interact with medications such as digoxin, insulin, medications for diabetes, and diuretic drugs (water pills).
Apple cider vinegar might also damage tooth enamel, in a similar way as fruit juice and soda.
Researchers randomly assigned participants to drink either apple cider vinegar (5, 10 or 15 milliliters) or lactic acid — both mixed in 1 cup of water — three times a day for 12 weeks. People didn’t know which drink they received.
Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid, which gives it its strong flavor and sour smell. It also contains other compounds, such as polyphenols, which may have health benefits in addition to those of acetic acid.
In the study, researchers used lactic acid as a comparison, or placebo, because it has a similar taste and appearance as apple cider vinegar.
Participants drank their assigned beverage in the morning on an empty stomach. This was to reduce the possible effects of people eating food at the same time.
Participants also recorded what they ate throughout the day in a diet diary, and recorded their physical activity.
During the first study visit and after 4, 8, and 12 weeks, researchers measured participants’ height, weight, waist circumference, and body fat. They also collected a blood sample from each participant to measure the levels of glucose, triglycerides, and total cholesterol.
People drinking apple cider vinegar lost on average 15 lbs in 12 weeks
People who drank daily doses of apple cider vinegar saw decreases in body weight and BMI at weeks 4, 8, and 12, compared to the first study visit, researchers found.
The largest weight changes occurred among people who drank 10 or 15 milliliters of apple cider vinegar a day. They lost on average 15 pounds over 12 weeks.
Waist circumference and body fat also decreased among people who drank apple cider vinegar, with similar changes seen among the three groups. This was only true at weeks 8 and 12, not week 4.
In addition, metabolic measures improved in people who drank apple cider vinegar. The level of their blood glucose decreased at weeks 4, 8, and 12, and triglycerides and total cholesterol decreased at weeks 8 and 12, compared to the first study visit.
The 15-milliliter dose of apple cider vinegar for 12 weeks appeared most effective in reducing these blood markers.
In contrast, the placebo group lost an average of less than 1 pound over the 12 weeks and did not see significant changes in the other body measures or metabolic markers.
None of the study participants reported any negative side effects of drinking apple cider vinegar.
Researchers also found that participants’ diet and physical activity did not differ among the apple cider vinegar groups and placebo groups. This suggests that the changes in body measures and blood measures were due to the consumption of apple cider vinegar, they write.
Although people continued to follow their “normal” diet throughout the study, it is possible that they unconsciously cut back on their calories, said Dr. Amy Lee, head of nutrition for Nucific.
She also cautions that the study only included 120 people, so the results may not apply to the real world.
“Nutrition-based trials are difficult at times because we have to take into account one’s individual metabolism, and the impact of stress and their environment, which can play a role in one’s behavior and even the way one burns calories,” Lee told Healthline.
How apple cider vinegar may affect appetite
The results of the new study fit with earlier research, the authors write, which found similar benefits of consuming 15 or 30 milliliters of apple cider vinegar a day.
However, the reason apple cider vinegar has these kinds of effects on body measures and metabolic health is not fully understood.
Some research suggests that apple cider vinegar, or its individual compounds, may lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels. It might also slow the oxidation of low-density lipoproteins (LDLs). Both of these actions can improve heart health.
Taking apple cider vinegar before meals could also reduce appetite and increase a sense of fullness, as well as have a positive effect on insulin sensitivity, the authors wrote.
However, some studies suggest that the feeling of fullness after consuming vinegar may be due to discomfort and nausea rather than any direct appetite-suppressing properties.
“The mechanism of action of apple cider vinegar can make a difference in the way someone handles the foods that they eat, and ultimately, this translates to weight loss if done consistently,” Lee told Healthline.
Given the results of this kind of research, “there is nothing bad about taking something like apple cider vinegar,” she said, “but one should be mindful that success in losing weight and maintaining weight loss requires an overall change in intake of food and lifestyle change.”
Michelle Routhenstein, a registered dietitian nutritionist who specializes in heart disease at EntirelyNourished.com, agrees, saying apple cider vinegar is not a “magic pill.”
“[Apple cider vinegar] needs to be looked at in conjunction with overall diet and physical activity, as well as stress and sleep management, to have a significant long-lasting impact.”
Takeaway
Researchers randomly assigned 120 adolescents and young adults to drink apple cider vinegar or lactic acid — the placebo — in the morning on an empty stomach, both mixed in 1 cup of water.
People who drank apple cider vinegar lost weight and saw decreases in BMI and waist circumference over 12 weeks. They also had improvements in metabolic measures — levels of blood glucose, triglycerides and total cholesterol.
Apple cider vinegar may work by increasing fullness, decreasing appetite and having positive effects on insulin sensitivity and cholesterol and triglycerides.