Myth.
I've not been able to find any published studies showing that it helps weight loss, and I've watched this topic for 10 years. I've also searched the topic at various reputable medical websites and any mentions have also stated there were no medical studies to show that it helps with weight loss.
The closest study would be a tiny study of 12 people that showed that consuming vinegar with a piece of bread felt fuller than those who ate the bread without the vinegar. I'm really not sure what their point was, but it wasn't weight loss. Quite honestly, if I dipped bread in vinegar I think I'd push my plate away and say I'd had enough too
A few studies have shown that vinegar may have some impact on how quickly a meal affects blood sugar levels, but body weight was not affected.
Vinegar does not have the ability to break down food faster or affect metabolism, this unfortunately is a myth. This was part of a popular but ineffective fad diet from the 70s.
Vinegar is highly acidic and can cause damage to tooth enamel as well as the tissues in the throat and stomach.
You should not try this if you are diabetic as it can affect your insulin levels.
Vinegar, consumed like this, can also have an adverse effect on some prescription medications.
Vinegar tablets usually do not contain any vinegar, so only real vinegar is recommended
if you try this.
On the flip side - People who try tips and tricks like this often pay more attention to what they are eating, consciously or not, and may eat less as a result. That means weight loss. But please keep the warnings above in mind before you try it and please take it with a grain of salt.
I am all for natural health care, real food, and anything that mother nature provides that will improve my health. Unfortunately I've been at this long enough to know that there's a lot more hype than truth, and just because it's natural doesn't mean it's effective or safe.
Remember, if it really worked our doctors, hospitals, and insurance companies would push it and it would make the headlines on CNN. After so many years of vinegar diet claims, we're fatter not thinner.