The publisher of some of the world’s most prestigious scientific journals has sensationally retracted a study that wrongly claimed a daily shot of apple cider vinegar could help you lose weight. 

The study, which scientists at the time labelled ‘remarkable’, claimed obese people shed up to 1st 4lbs (8kg) in just three months after drinking a single 15ml measure before breakfast.

At the time, critics tore apart the study of just 120 people, arguing it was heavily flawed and proved nothing.

Now, the BMJ Group has taken the rare step of retracting the paper, over a year after it was initially published in one of its underlying journals. 

It cited concerns over ‘multiple analytical errors’ and ‘irregularities in the data set’ used by the researchers. 

The study, published in BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health, was authored by scientists at the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik in Lebanon. 

In the paper they admitted they didn’t know why apple cider vinegar might have a slimming effect. 

However, they argued studies on animals have shown it improves insulin sensitivity and energy levels. 

The study, which scientists at the time labelled ‘remarkable’, claimed obese people shed up to 1st 4lbs (8kg) in just three months after drinking a single 15ml measure before breakfast

The BMJ Group has taken the rare step of retracting the paper, over a year after it was initially published in one of its underlying journals. It cited concerns over ‘multiple analytical errors’ and ‘irregularities in the data set’ used by the researchers

But flaws in the methodology were quickly pointed out, prompting an internal investigation into how the paper was published. 

It concluded that the study had ‘inadequate reporting of methods’ used and included ‘implausible statistical values’, which breached the BMJ Group’s editorial policy. 

The study was referred to statistical experts to evaluate its reliability.

However, in the retraction notice published today, the BMJ Group said it wasn’t possible for the statisticians to replicate the results and ‘multiple analytical errors were identified’. 

The authors said that the identified errors were honest mistakes, but they agree with the decision to retract the study. 

Dr Helen Macdonald, publication ethics and content integrity editor at BMJ Group, 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.

‘This retraction reflects our strategic and proactive approach to investigating concerns raised about the content we publish. 

‘We act where necessary in the interests of openness and the importance of correcting the scientific record.

It’s claimed apple cider vinegar, which costs as little as £2.50 in health food stores, can do everything from helping you shift a few extra pounds to curing cancer 

‘While we deal with allegations as swiftly as possible, it’s very important that due process is followed. Investigations are often complex. 

‘This one involved detailed scrutiny of data and correspondence with researchers, institutions, and other experts, for example. 

‘Reaching a sound and fair and final decision can therefore take several months.’

Professor Martin Kohlmeier, editor in chief of BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health, also said: ‘In hindsight, this was the wrong decision to make. 

‘But the authors come from a scientific environment that is underrepresented in nutritional research and the journal aims to prioritise high quality evidence, which usually comes from clinical trials.

‘These are relatively unusual in nutritional research as they can be challenging to undertake because of the numbers of participants and time needed to obtain meaningful results.’

In the now retracted study, volunteers in the trial, who were either overweight or obese, with BMIs of between 27 and 34, were divided into four groups of 30. 

Some were as young as 12. 

Celebrities including Elizabeth Hurley (pictured) and Jennifer Aniston swear by the tipple, which costs as little as £2.50 in health food stores

In 2020, Victoria Beckham revealed she starts each day with two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar and shared a photo of Bragg Organic Apple Cider Vinegar

Three groups were asked to drink a daily shot of apple cider vinegar first thing in the morning. This was either in 5, 10 or 15ml quantities.

The rest were given a dummy—or placebo—liquid instead.

Over the course of 12 weeks, each participant kept a record of their diet and exercise habits.

Researchers found those who drank the tipple lost at least 11lbs (5kg) in weight and reduced their BMI by between 2.7 and three points, depending on the dose.

Volunteers given the placebo, meanwhile, recorded an average fall of just 0.7lbs (0.3kg) after 12 weeks.

However, health experts at the time immediately raised concerns over the study’s ‘substantial problems’. 

Professor Helen Truby, a professorial research fellow in nutrition and dietetics at the University of Queensland, said: ‘Although this study design has the ability to prove cause and effect there are some substantial problems in this study, which would make the conclusions drawn questionable.

‘The subjects were not weight stable at the beginning of the study, so may have been on a weight loss journey before they began taking the vinegar.

‘Diet and activity were self-reported so we cannot be sure that these large weight losses were not due to lifestyle changes.

‘Plus the use of weight loss medications has not been reported.’

Professor Miguel Ángel Martínez González, a professor of preventive medicine and public health at the University of Navarra, also said: ‘The researchers only apparently use t-tests [a statistical tool for making comparisons] and they should have used other models that allow for the valuation of fixed and random components.

‘They also don’t describe the total diet of the participants and how their caloric intake changes, the consumption of fruits, vegetables, ultra-processed foods, and so on.

‘In short, this needs caution, a lot of caution.’

Apple cider vinegar comes in two forms, ones containing the ‘mother’ and ones that have been filtered.

The ‘mother’ is a culture of good bacteria that is added to apple cider vinegar as part of the fermentation process.

It can give apple cider vinegar a cloudy appearance or take the form of gelatinous looking layer at the top of the liquid.

Proponents of apple cider vinegar’s health benefits pin its positive effects on this good bacteria and encourage people to drink versions with the ‘mother’ intact.

Celebrities including Kim Kardashian, Victoria Beckham and Jennifer Aniston swear by the tipple, which costs as little as £2.50 in health food stores. 

Despite swathes of studies exploring its effects, experts have remained divided over apple cider vinegar’s effectiveness and the potential long term health impacts.