"ACV gummies for weight loss" is one of the most searched supplement phrases online. The research behind it is thinner than the marketing suggests, and one of the most-shared studies has since been retracted. Here's what's actually known.
Written by Vita Globe Editorial Team | Reviewed against randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews
Do apple cider vinegar gummies work for weight loss?
There's no clinical evidence that ACV gummies cause weight loss. A small number of trials using one to two tablespoons of liquid vinegar a day found modest weight differences over 12 weeks[1][2]. A widely publicized 2024 trial showing bigger results was retracted in 2025[3]. At best, ACV is a small helper alongside diet and activity, not a weight-loss tool on its own.
Caveat: The trials used liquid vinegar. A 500mg gummy contains less acetic acid than the doses tested.
Sources: Kondo 2009 · Khezri 2018 · BMJ retraction 2025 · Verified 2026-09-27
IN THIS ARTICLE
What do the weight-loss trials actually show?
Two controlled trials come up most often when people talk about vinegar and weight.
Kondo et al., 2009 (Japan). Adults with obesity drank a beverage containing 15 mL of vinegar (about 750mg acetic acid), 30 mL (about 1,500mg), or a placebo every day for 12 weeks. Both vinegar groups ended with lower body weight, BMI, visceral fat, waist size and triglycerides than the placebo group[1]. The differences were real but small, and people weren't asked to change their diets.
Khezri et al., 2018 (Iran). Adults with overweight or obesity followed a reduced-calorie diet, with or without apple cider vinegar, for 12 weeks. The ACV group lost somewhat more weight and had better improvements in some blood lipids than the diet-only group[2]. Notice the setup: vinegar was an add-on to a calorie-controlled diet, not a replacement for one.
A 2020 systematic review of apple vinegar concluded that the evidence on body weight was limited, based on few and small studies, and that better trials are needed[4].
What happened to the 2024 ACV weight-loss study?
In 2024, BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health published a trial in Lebanese adolescents and young adults that reported much larger weight loss with daily apple cider vinegar. It got enormous media coverage.
In September 2025, BMJ Group retracted the paper. External statisticians couldn't reproduce the results and found analysis errors, implausible values and data irregularities, and the trial hadn't been registered in advance. BMJ said the results are unreliable and should no longer be referenced[3]. If you see an ACV product or article citing big weight-loss numbers from 2024, this is probably the study behind them.
How might vinegar affect appetite?
One commonly suggested mechanism is fullness. In a small study, adding vinegar to a bread meal lowered the blood sugar response and increased how full people said they felt afterward[5].
But there's an important twist. A 2014 study found that vinegar drinks did reduce appetite and food intake, but largely because they made people feel nauseated. The researchers concluded that promoting vinegar as a natural appetite suppressant doesn't seem appropriate[6]. Feeling a little sick is not a healthy way to eat less.
Do gummies deliver the same dose?
Almost certainly not. The Kondo trial used 750 to 1,500mg of acetic acid a day[1]. ACV gummy labels usually list total apple cider vinegar, commonly 500mg per serving, and don't break out acetic acid. Since acetic acid is only part of that 500mg, a gummy delivers less than even the lower dose in that study.
We aren't aware of any published trial testing ACV gummies for weight. So if a gummy brand promises specific pounds lost, ask where that number came from. For a side-by-side of formats, see Apple Cider Vinegar: Liquid vs. Gummies.
What's a realistic role for ACV gummies?
If you enjoy apple cider vinegar as part of a wellness routine, a gummy is a pleasant, low-effort way to include it, without acid on your teeth. What moves the needle on weight is still the unglamorous stuff: overall eating pattern, protein and fiber, sleep, movement, and, for some people, medical care. If you're curious about newer medical options, our explainer on GLP-1 covers the basics.
Check with your doctor before using vinegar products if you take diabetes medication, since vinegar can lower blood sugar after meals, or if you have a digestive condition[4].
The honest summary
- Two small 12-week trials found modest weight differences with 15 to 30 mL of liquid vinegar a day.
- The 2024 trial with dramatic results was retracted in 2025 and shouldn't be cited.
- Some of vinegar's appetite effect may come from nausea, not a healthy fullness signal.
- No trials have tested ACV gummies for weight, and gummies contain less acetic acid than the studied doses.
- Think of ACV gummies as a routine add-on, not a weight-loss product.
Our option
Vita Globe Apple Cider Vinegar Gummies 500mg, 60ct
One crisp apple gummy a day, preferably with a meal, gives you 500mg of apple cider vinegar with "The Mother." Vegan, non-GMO and gluten-free. We don't sell it as a weight-loss product: it's an easy way to keep ACV in your daily routine without the harsh sip.
Frequently asked questions
How much weight can you lose with apple cider vinegar gummies?
There's no reliable number, because gummies haven't been tested in weight-loss trials. Liquid vinegar studies found only modest differences over 12 weeks[1][2].
Do ACV gummies burn belly fat?
No supplement targets fat in one area. The Kondo trial did measure slightly less visceral fat with liquid vinegar[1], but that's a small effect from a much larger acetic acid dose than a gummy provides.
Was the apple cider vinegar weight loss study retracted?
Yes. The 2024 trial in Lebanese adolescents and young adults, published in BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health, was retracted in September 2025[3].
Do ACV gummies suppress appetite?
Evidence is weak. Liquid vinegar reduced appetite in one study mainly by causing nausea[6]. A gummy is unlikely to have much effect either way.
When should I take ACV gummies for the best results?
Liquid-vinegar studies usually gave it with meals. See Best Time to Take Apple Cider Vinegar Gummies for details.
Sources
- Kondo T, Kishi M, Fushimi T, Ugajin S, Kaga T. Vinegar intake reduces body weight, body fat mass, and serum triglyceride levels in obese Japanese subjects. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2009;73(8):1837-1843. doi:10.1271/bbb.90231
- Khezri SS, Saidpour A, Hosseinzadeh N, Amiri Z. Beneficial effects of apple cider vinegar on weight management, visceral adiposity index and lipid profile in overweight or obese subjects receiving restricted calorie diet: a randomized clinical trial. J Funct Foods. 2018;43:95-102. doi:10.1016/j.jff.2018.02.003
- BMJ Group. BMJ Group retracts trial on apple cider vinegar and weight loss. Press release, September 2025. bmjgroup.com
- Launholt TL, Kristiansen CB, Hjorth P. Safety and side effects of apple vinegar intake and its effect on metabolic parameters and body weight: a systematic review. Eur J Nutr. 2020;59(6):2273-2289. doi:10.1007/s00394-020-02214-3
- Östman E, Granfeldt Y, Persson L, Björck I. Vinegar supplementation lowers glucose and insulin responses and increases satiety after a bread meal in healthy subjects. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2005;59(9):983-988. doi:10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602197
- Darzi J, Frost GS, Montaser R, Yap J, Robertson MD. Influence of the tolerability of vinegar as an oral source of short-chain fatty acids on appetite control and food intake. Int J Obes. 2014;38(5):675-681. doi:10.1038/ijo.2013.157
About the Vita Globe Editorial Team
The Vita Globe Editorial Team researches and writes our wellness content, working from peer-reviewed research, systematic reviews and guidance from bodies such as the NIH and the FDA. We cite our sources inline and update articles when the evidence changes.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Talk to your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or caring for a child.
