Weight Loss with Pineapple Juice, Honey and Apple Cider Vinegar
Nowadays, people have less and less time to exercise and eat healthy. Because of this, many of us look for easy ways to speed up our metabolism and promote weight loss.
There are many natural remedies all claiming to help with digestion, metabolism, and weight loss. Apple cider vinegar is particularly popular among these, and combining it with pineapple juice is said to be especially effective for burning fat and boosting your metabolism.
But is any of that true? Can apple cider vinegar and pineapple really do all that? And why do we add honey to the mix?
Let’s separate fact from fiction and see what science has to say about apple cider vinegar, pineapple juice, honey, and their effect on weight loss.
Table of contents
Apple cider vinegar for weight loss
Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is a popular natural remedy for weight loss. Many people claim that apple cider vinegar has helped them loose weight, especially belly fat, detox their liver, etc.
In reality, there are very few studies investigating the effectiveness of apple cider vinegar for weight loss. But according to the little evidence we have, the potential weight loss benefits of ACV include:
Reduce appetite
Decrease body fat
Regulate blood sugar
Improve insulin sensitivity
If you want to know more, this article covers the scientific evidence in much more detail.
Keep in mind that drinking apple cider vinegar could cause some side effects (see below).
Pineapple juice for weight loss
Pineapples are healthy and nutritious. They contain lots of water and dietary fibre and support a healthy digestion. In addition, they also contain plenty of vitamin C and a digestive enzyme called bromelain (1).
The weight loss benefits of pineapple juice include:
Anti-obesity effects
Could help reduce cholesterol
Could help reduce constipation
Contains bromelain
The enzyme bromelain, is generally the main reason why people think that pineapple juice helps burn fat. It helps digest proteins, can help against constipation, and is often included in weight loss supplements.
For more details about the weight loss benefits of pineapple juice, you can check out this article. But to be honest, overall the evidence that pineapple juice could help support weight loss is not enough to conclude its effectiveness.
Weight loss benefits of honey
Honey contains lots of sugar, and is unlikely to actively contribute to weight loss. In fact 21 g (1 tbsp) of honey contains 17.3 g of carbohydrates, and 63.8 calories (2). On the bright side, honey has many other potential health benefits.
Why combine apple cider vinegar, pineapple juice and honey
Apple cider vinegar is very acidic, it could burn the inside of your mouth and is difficult to drink. To make it easier to drink, people often dilute it with water. But that still tastes terrible and can cause nausea.
So to enhance the taste, avoid nausea, promote the feeling of fullness, and exploit other weight loss benefits pineapple juice has to offer, people combine apple cider vinegar with pineapple juice.
To make it even easier to swallow, a teaspoon of honey is often added to the mix.
How to make pineapple juice, honey, and apple cider vinegar for weight loss
Now you know more about apple cider vinegar and pineapple juice for weight loss. If you are curious to try it and see if it works for you, this is the recipe to make it:
Ingredients
1 cup of (fresh) pineapple juice
1 tbsp (15 ml) apple cider vinegar
1 tsp honey
How to prepare
Combine the ingredients in a cup and stir well.
If the juice is too acidic for your taste and you need some sweetener, you can add a bit more honey. Just keep in mind that this adds sugar and calories to your drink as well.
Is pineapple juice, honey, and ACV safe?
Before you start taking this beverage, make sure you are aware of its potential side effects. Drinking apple cider vinegar, honey, and pineapple juice is not for everyone.
Because of its acid content, apple cider vinegar can cause many side effects, including:
acid reflux
irritated gums
irritated lips
unusual taste in mouth
sore throat
tooth erosion
In addition to that, honey, pineapple juice and apple cider vinegar can also cause other side effects, including:
diarrhea
upset stomach
fluctuations in blood sugar levels
allergies
Allergies
If you are sensitive or allergic to honey, apple cider vinegar or pineapples, do not consume this drink.
Immediately discontinue the use of apple cider vinegar and pineapple juice if you notice any side effects or allergic reactions and consult with your healthcare provider.
Tips for safe consumption
To help protect your teeth, drink the juice through a straw.
Do not consume more than 2 tbsp of apple cider vinegar per day. Most studies investigating the weight loss effects of ACV, used 1 to 2 tbsp vinegar per day. It is not clear if drinking more has any benefits, but it increases the likelihood of side effects.
Rinse your mouth after drinking vinegar and pineapple juice to protect your tooth enamel.
Avoid vinegar if you have acid reflux or other related health problems, or if you are on diabetes medications.
Avoid if you are taking any medications that could interact with honey, pineapple juice or vinegar.
Do not take if you are allergic to any of the ingredients.
When to drink pineapple juice and apple cider vinegar?
There is one main rule when it comes to drinking apple cider vinegar and pineapple juice - do not drink it before bed. This is because acidic foods can cause acid reflux, especially when taken before you lay down.
Generally speaking, people either take this beverage right before a meal, to reduce their appetite, or instead of dessert. But it is also okay to drink it during the meal.
What is the ratio of apple cider vinegar to pineapple juice for weight loss?
There is no optimal ratio. Generally speaking, the studies that investigated the potential of apple cider vinegar for weight loss, used between 15 - 30 ml (1-2 tbsp) of vinegar per day.
Generally 1 tbsp of apple cider vinegar is diluted in approximately 1 cup of liquid - in this case 1 cup of pineapple juice.
This seems to be what many people take, but there is no specific research to support this exact ratio.