22 Hipster Health Trends That Need to Just Stop

Cleanses are very “in” right now, especially those that feature apple cider vinegar. This detox claims to aid in weight loss, regulating blood sugar, and boosting heart health. However, there is very little scientific evidence to back any of these assertions, and what studies there are out there have shown only small benefits attributed to apple cider vinegar consumption. For example, one study found that, after 12 weeks of consuming one to two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar each day, participants lost two to four pounds.

Similarly, few studies have been done on humans to measure the effects of apple cider vinegar in relation to heart health and blood sugar control.

In addition to the less-than-firm health benefits, consuming apple cider vinegar, especially on an empty stomach, can be harmful to the body: it can irritate the throat, stomach, and digestive tract, possibly causing acid reflux-like symptoms, and it may also interfere with certain medications. There is no evidence that apple cider vinegar is safe to use long-term, so it’s best to forgo the cleanses and keep your vinegar consumption to a minimum.