- With Mayo Clinic nutritionist
Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.
read biographyclose windowBiography of
Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.
Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.
As a specialty editor for the nutrition and healthy eating guide, Katherine Zeratsky helps you sort through the facts and figures, the fads and the hype to learn more about nutrition and diet.
A Marinette, Wis., native, Katherine is certified in dietetics by the state of Minnesota and the American Dietetic Association. She has been with Mayo Clinic since 1999.
She is active in nutrition-related curriculum and course development in wellness nutrition at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., and nutrition education related to weight management and practical applications of nutrition-related lifestyle changes.
Other areas of interest include food and nutrition for all life stages, active lifestyles and the culinary arts.
She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, served a dietetic internship at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, and worked as a registered dietitian and health risk counselor at ThedaCare of Appleton, Wis., before joining the Mayo Clinic staff.
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Question
Apple cider vinegar for weight loss: Effective?
Drinking apple cider vinegar for weight loss seems far-fetched. Does it work?
Answer
from Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.
Drinking apple cider vinegar for weight loss isn't likely to be effective.
Proponents of the apple cider vinegar diet claim that drinking a small amount of apple cider vinegar before meals or taking an apple cider vinegar supplement helps curb appetite and burn fat. However, there's little scientific support for these claims.
Although occasional use of apple cider vinegar is safe for most people, it won't likely lead to weight loss — and it may pose problems of its own. For example:
- Apple cider vinegar is highly acidic. It may irritate your throat if you drink it often or in large amounts.
- Apple cider vinegar may interact with certain supplements or drugs, including diuretics and insulin. This may contribute to low potassium levels.
Remember, there's no magic bullet for weight loss. The key to losing weight is burning more calories than you consume. Choose healthy foods — such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean sources of protein — and include physical activity in your daily routine.
Next questionProtein shakes: Good for weight loss?
- Apple cider vinegar. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed Jan. 17, 2012.
- Hill LL, et al. Esophageal injury by apple cider vinegar tablets and subsequent evaluation of products. Journal of the American Dietetic Association. 2005;105:1141.
- White AM, et al. Vinegar ingestion at bedtime moderates waking glucose concentrations in adults with well-controlled type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2007;30:2814.
- Salbe AD, et al. Vinegar lacks antiglycemic action on enteral carbohydrate absorption in human subjects. Nutrition Research. 2009;29:846.
- Ostman E, et al. Vinegar supplementation lowers glucose and insulin responses and increases satiety after a bread meal in healthy subjects. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2005;59:983.
- Position of the American Dietetic Association: Food and nutrition misinformation. Journal of the American Dietetic Association. 2006;106:601.
- Colditz GA. Healthy diet for adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 17, 2012.
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