Apple Cider Vinegar
Research reviewed: Up until 03/2026
Apple Cider Vinegar (Acetic acid (from Malus domestica fermentation)) is a dietary supplement with 11 published peer-reviewed studies involving 1,143 participants, researched for Blood Sugar Management, Weight Management, Digestive & Antimicrobial and 1 more areas.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Blood Sugar Management
StrongWeight Management
ModerateDigestive & Antimicrobial
WeakSystematic reviews
WeakResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
Blood Sugar Management
To evaluate vinegar ingestion on postprandial glycemia in type 2 diabetes.
Study Type
Randomised, crossover study
Purpose
To evaluate vinegar ingestion on postprandial glycemia in type 2 diabetes.
Dose
20 ml apple cider vinegar (5% acetic acid) before meals
Participants
11 patients with type 2 diabetes
Duration
Single-dose crossover
Results
Vinegar ingestion significantly improved postprandial insulin sensitivity by 34% in type 2 diabetes patients and reduced postprandial glycemia.
How They Measured It
Postprandial blood glucose, insulin sensitivity (composite insulin sensitivity index)
To evaluate apple cider vinegar on glycemic control in type 2 diabetes.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate apple cider vinegar on glycemic control in type 2 diabetes.
Dose
15 ml twice daily
Participants
70 patients with type 2 diabetes
Duration
12 weeks
Results
ACV significantly reduced fasting blood glucose and HbA1c compared to placebo. Triglycerides also decreased significantly.
How They Measured It
Fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, lipid profile
To assess effect of vinegar on postprandial glycemia in healthy adults.
Study Type
Randomised, crossover
Purpose
To assess effect of vinegar on postprandial glycemia in healthy adults.
Dose
20 ml vinegar with bread meal
Participants
12 healthy volunteers
Duration
Single-dose crossover
Results
Vinegar significantly reduced blood glucose AUC after bread meal by 31%. Satiety ratings were also higher with vinegar consumption.
How They Measured It
Blood glucose AUC after white bread meal, satiety VAS
Weight Management
To evaluate daily vinegar intake on body weight, body fat, and waist circumference.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate daily vinegar intake on body weight, body fat, and waist circumference.
Dose
15 ml or 30 ml vinegar daily
Participants
175 obese Japanese subjects
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Both vinegar doses significantly reduced body weight, BMI, waist circumference, and visceral fat area compared to placebo. 30 ml dose showed greater effects.
How They Measured It
Body weight, BMI, waist circumference, visceral fat area (CT scan)
To evaluate ACV on appetite and food intake.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate ACV on appetite and food intake.
Dose
15 ml ACV before meals
Participants
44 overweight adults
Duration
12 weeks
Results
ACV group consumed significantly fewer calories per day and reported higher satiety scores. Modest but significant weight loss observed.
How They Measured It
Caloric intake, satiety VAS, gastric emptying rate
Digestive & Antimicrobial
To evaluate antimicrobial activity of apple cider vinegar against common GI pathogens.
Study Type
In vitro / clinical pilot study
Purpose
To evaluate antimicrobial activity of apple cider vinegar against common GI pathogens.
Dose
5% acetic acid solution in vitro; 10 ml diluted ACV orally
Participants
In vitro + 12 patients with chronic candidiasis symptoms
Duration
In vitro + 4 weeks clinical
Results
ACV showed dose-dependent antimicrobial activity against Candida albicans and E. coli in vitro. Clinical pilot showed improvement in GI symptoms in candidiasis patients.
How They Measured It
MIC against E. coli, Candida albicans, S. aureus; clinical symptom assessment
To assess apple cider vinegar on gastric emptying and dyspepsia symptoms.
Study Type
Randomised controlled trial
Purpose
To assess apple cider vinegar on gastric emptying and dyspepsia symptoms.
Dose
15 ml ACV before meal
Participants
30 patients with functional dyspepsia
Duration
Single dose + 4-week follow-up
Results
ACV did not significantly accelerate gastric emptying in dyspeptic patients. Mild subjective improvement in fullness and nausea reported.
How They Measured It
Gastric emptying scintigraphy, symptom scores
Systematic reviews
To investigate the effects of Apple Cider Vinegar in effects of apple cider vinegar on glycemic control and insulin sensitivity in patients with type 2 diabetes: a grade-assessed systematic review and do
Study Type
Systematic review and meta-analysis
Purpose
To investigate the effects of Apple Cider Vinegar in effects of apple cider vinegar on glycemic control and insulin sensitivity in patients with type 2 diabetes: a grade-assessed systematic review and do
Dose
Apple Cider Vinegar (dose not specified)
Participants
Participants not specified
Duration
Duration not specified
Results
multifactorial metabolic disorder that affects the body's ability to regulate blood sugar levels. Apple cider vinegar (ACV) could possibly improve diabetes; nevertheless, evidences provide conflicting results. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of ACV on glycemic profile in type 2 diabetes patients (T2DM) in controlled trials (CTs) by systematically reviewing and dose-response meta-analysis.
How They Measured It
See study for outcome measures
To investigate the effects of Apple Cider Vinegar in 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 ra
Study Type
Systematic review and meta-analysis
Purpose
To investigate the effects of Apple Cider Vinegar in 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 ra
Dose
Apple Cider Vinegar (dose not specified)
Participants
789 participants
Duration
4 weeks
Results
Overall, this meta-analysis suggests that ACV supplementation may be a promising and accessible adjunctive strategy for short-term weight management in adults with excess body weight or metabolic complications.
How They Measured It
See study for outcome measures
To investigate the effects of Apple Cider Vinegar in the effects of apple cider vinegar on cardiometabolic risk factors: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials.
Study Type
Systematic review and meta-analysis
Purpose
To investigate the effects of Apple Cider Vinegar in the effects of apple cider vinegar on cardiometabolic risk factors: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials.
Dose
Apple Cider Vinegar (dose not specified)
Participants
Participants not specified
Duration
Duration not specified
Results
Cardiometabolic syndrome (CMS) is a set of metabolic abnormalities that are risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Apple cider vinegar (ACV) has been used in several studies as a natural agent to improve CMS risk factors. The present study aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of ACV consumption on lipid and glycemic parameters.
How They Measured It
See study for outcome measures
To investigate the effects of Apple Cider Vinegar in comparative effectiveness of six herbs in the management of glycemic status of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients: a systematic review and network meta
Study Type
Systematic review and meta-analysis
Purpose
To investigate the effects of Apple Cider Vinegar in comparative effectiveness of six herbs in the management of glycemic status of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients: a systematic review and network meta
Dose
Apple Cider Vinegar (dose not specified)
Participants
Participants not specified
Duration
Duration not specified
Results
There are several herbal formulations for type 2 diabetes (T2D), but many of them have never been directly compared to establish the most effective methods. Therefore, the present systematic review and network meta-analysis aimed to compare and rank the effects of herbal formulations by combining direct and indirect evidence on the management of type 2 diabetes.
How They Measured It
See study for outcome measures
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Apple Cider Vinegar research
There are currently 11 peer-reviewed studies on Apple Cider Vinegar (Acetic acid (from Malus domestica fermentation)), involving 1,143 total participants. Research covers Blood Sugar Management, Weight Management, Digestive & Antimicrobial and 1 more areas. The overall evidence strength is rated as Strong.
The evidence is currently rated as "Strong Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (6 human studies), and reported outcomes.
Apple Cider Vinegar has been researched for: Blood Sugar Management, Weight Management, Digestive & Antimicrobial, Systematic reviews. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 6 out of 11 studies are human trials. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
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