BMJ Retracts Controversial Study Linking Apple Cider Vinegar to Weight Loss

A clinical trial promoting the consumption of apple cider vinegar as a weight loss aid has been retracted by the BMJ Group, casting doubt on its previously claimed benefits. The retraction, announced on [date not specified], follows concerns over the integrity of the study’s data and methodology.

Originally published in March 2024 in the journal *BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health*, the study involved 120 adolescents and young adults classified as overweight or obese. Participants were randomly assigned to one of four groups: three groups consumed varying doses of apple cider vinegar diluted in water daily, while a fourth group received a placebo. Over a period of 12 weeks, the researchers asserted that individuals consuming apple cider vinegar lost significantly more weight than those on the placebo, with reported losses between 13 and 17 pounds.

Helen Macdonald, Publication Ethics and Content Integrity Editor at BMJ Group, emphasized the need for reliability in scientific research. In a statement, she said, “Tempting though it is to alert readers to an ostensibly simple and apparently helpful weight loss aid, at present the results of the study are unreliable.”

Concerns regarding the study emerged soon after its publication. External scientists scrutinized the statistical analyses and raised alarms about the validity of the findings. The BMJ Group initially entertained these critiques, a common practice in scientific publishing. However, further investigation revealed deeper issues. Statisticians tasked with examining the raw data struggled to replicate the study’s findings and uncovered “implausible values” within the data. They also found indications that the randomization of participants into their respective groups may not have been properly executed.

Additionally, the authors did not register their trial in advance, a critical step that helps prevent data manipulation. The lack of thorough methodological explanations further fueled doubts about the study’s credibility. The authors acknowledged the statistical discrepancies, attributing them to honest mistakes in data handling, but they ultimately concurred with the BMJ Group’s decision to retract the study.

Despite the retraction, the notion that apple cider vinegar could significantly enhance weight loss remains controversial. Prior to this incident, the evidence supporting the efficacy of apple cider vinegar—or any single food item—as a weight loss booster was limited. While some individuals may achieve weight loss through dietary changes, sustaining that weight loss often proves challenging.

Emerging treatments, such as GLP-1 therapies, offer new avenues for addressing obesity, but they too come with limitations. Long-term weight management continues to be a significant hurdle for many, highlighting that there are no quick fixes to weight loss, regardless of the food or supplement in question. The recent retraction serves as a reminder of the importance of rigorous scientific standards and the need for caution in interpreting health-related claims.