March 12, 2024

expert reaction to study saying apple cider vinegar aids weight management in obesity

A study published in BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health looks at apple cider vinegar for weight management in adolescents and young children with obesity. 

Prof Miguel Ángel Martínez González, Professor of Preventive Medicine and Public Health at the University of Navarra, said:

“There are several repeated measures over time, but they don’t use the proper statistical methodology for repeated measures in a longitudinal design of this type.

“They only apparently use t-tests (a statistical tool for making comparisons) and they should have used other models that allow for the valuation of fixed and random components.  They also don’t describe the total diet of the participants and how their caloric intake changes, the consumption of fruits, vegetables, ultra-processed foods, and so on.

“In short, this needs caution, a lot of caution.”

‘Apple cider vinegar for weight management in Lebanese adolescents and young adults with overweight and obesity: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study’ by Rony Abou-Khalil et al. was published in BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health at 23:30 UK time on Tuesday 12 March 2024.

DOI: 10.1136/bmjnph-2023-000823

Declared interests

Prof Miguel Ángel Martínez González declares no conflicts of interest.