The apple cider vinegar craze just hit a major speed bump. A study that helped launch ACV into the wellness spotlight—claiming it could trigger dramatic weight loss with just a teaspoon or two a day—has been officially retracted. The journal that published it, BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health, found “multiple errors” and results that couldn’t be replicated. In plain terms: the science didn’t hold up.

Previous Study on Apple cider vinegar for weight loss isn't right. Gemini AI 


For years, ACV has been the darling of health influencers and supplement shelves, promising everything from fat-burning magic to blood sugar control. But this retraction sends a clear message: not all that glitters in a wellness bottle is backed by solid science. The original study, which involved 120 participants over three months, claimed an average weight loss of 6–8 kg (13–17.6 lb) and a BMI drop of 2.7–3 points. Those numbers made headlines. Now, they’re being erased.

Behind the scenes, statisticians and integrity experts dug into the data and found red flags everywhere—implausibly small p-values, questionable participant allocation, and reporting methods that didn’t meet basic standards. Even the authors admitted to “honest mistakes” and agreed to the retraction. That’s rare in academic publishing, and it speaks volumes.

So what went wrong? For starters, the study wasn’t prospectively registered—a key requirement that ensures transparency and accountability. Professor Martin Kohlmeier, the journal’s editor-in-chief, acknowledged the lapse, saying, “In hindsight, this was the wrong decision to make.” He also pointed out that the authors came from an underrepresented scientific environment, where conducting clinical nutrition trials is especially challenging.

But the problems ran deeper. Experts reviewing the study noted that the participants were young—averaging just 17 years old, with some as young as 12. That’s a critical detail. Adolescents are still growing, and their weight can fluctuate naturally. Nutritionist Dr. Rosemary Stanton flagged this, adding that the study lacked clear data on what participants were actually eating. Without that, it’s impossible to know if the vinegar—or lifestyle changes—caused the weight loss.

Other researchers chimed in with similar concerns. Professor Helen Truby pointed out that participants weren’t weight-stable at the start, meaning they may have already been trying to lose weight. Diet and activity were self-reported, which is notoriously unreliable. And there was no mention of whether anyone dropped out or guessed which treatment group they were in—both crucial details in clinical trials.

Statistical flaws also raised eyebrows. Professor Miguel Ángel Martínez González criticized the use of basic t-tests instead of more robust models suited for repeated measures over time. He noted the absence of dietary breakdowns—no info on calorie intake, fruit and vegetable consumption, or ultra-processed foods. That’s like trying to solve a puzzle with half the pieces missing.

Even experts who saw potential in the study urged caution. Dr. Evangeline Mantzioris emphasized that results from a narrow age group can’t be generalized. And without publishing the diet and exercise logs, we’re left guessing about what really drove the changes.

This isn’t the first time ACV has been put under the microscope. A 2009 Japanese study suggested modest weight loss benefits, and others have explored its impact on blood sugar and cholesterol. But none have shown the dramatic results claimed in the now-retracted paper. As a 2014 review put it, “Further large-scale long-term trials with impeccable methodology are warranted before definitive health claims can be made”.

Still, the ACV market is booming—worth over $1 billion globally. That’s a lot of vinegar. And while some evidence hints at benefits, experts like Dr. Daisy Coyle and Professor Margaret Morris agree: it’s not a miracle cure. Any real impact likely depends on broader lifestyle changes, not just a splash of sour liquid.

For readers trying to make smart choices about their health, this story is a reminder to look beyond the hype. Wellness trends can be seductive, especially when they promise easy fixes. But science demands rigor, and when studies fall short, it’s our job to ask tough questions.

What’s next? Keep an eye out for better-designed trials that include diverse age groups, transparent data, and long-term follow-up. Until then, treat ACV like what it is—a pantry staple, not a prescription.