Should You Take Garcinia Cambogia and Apple Cider Vinegar Together?

Garcinia cambogia is a popular weight loss supplement extracted from the rind of the tropical fruit Garcinia gummi-gutta (1).

The fruit resembles a small pumpkin, has a sour taste and is native to Southeast Asia and India. It’s often used to flavor fish curries and as a remedy for digestive issues and parasites (1).

Garcinia contains high levels of hydroxycitric acid (HCA) which scientists believe may stop fat production in the body and decrease appetite. Specifically, HCA may work by blocking an enzyme involved in the creation of fat and cholesterol (1, 2, 3, 4).

Apple cider vinegar is a fermented product made with yeast and bacteria. It’s typically liquid, but can also be dehydrated and made into pills (5).

It’s thought that the main active compound in apple cider vinegar, acetic acid, may promote weight loss through a number of mechanisms (5, 6).

In rats, acetic acid has been shown to increase fat burning, improve the ability of cells to take up sugar from the blood and suppress areas in the brain that stimulate appetite (7, 8, 9).

Summary

Garcinia cambogia is a supplement extracted from a tropical fruit high in hydroxycitric acid (HCA), while apple cider vinegar is made with bacteria and yeast. Both contain compounds that may aid weight loss.

Numerous anecdotal accounts and supplement websites claim that garcinia cambogia and apple cider vinegar boost each other’s activity and that taking both leads to fast, lasting weight loss.

Since garcinia cambogia and apple cider vinegar may promote weight loss in different ways, they theoretically could work better together than if taken alone.

However, there are no studies on the effect of taking them together.

Any claims about the combined effects of garcinia cambogia and apple cider vinegar on weight loss are based on research on the supplement or vinegar alone.

Garcinia Cambogia

Research on garcinia cambogia supplements suggests that they may lead to modest weight loss due to the high levels of HCA — but the evidence is mixed (10).

A two-month study in 50 obese women on a calorie-restricted diet found that while all participants lost weight, those who took garcinia cambogia lost 3 pounds (1.4 kg) more than the women who did not take the supplement (11).

Additional research in humans and rats has linked garcinia cambogia with decreased fat accumulation in the body (12, 13).

However, other studies have found no advantage from taking garcinia cambogia for weight loss (14, 15).

For example, a 12-week study in 135 overweight people reported that those who took garcinia cambogia did not lose significantly more weight than individuals in the placebo group (15).

Apple Cider Vinegar

Research on the effects of apple cider vinegar on weight loss is also limited but offers promising results.

One 12-week study in 144 obese adults found that those who took 1–2 tablespoons (15–30 ml) of vinegar in a diluted drink every day dropped an average 2.64–3.74 pounds (1.2–1.7 kg), while the placebo group gained weight (16).

A smaller study in 11 healthy adults showed that those who had vinegar with a high-carb meal had a lower blood sugar response to the food and ate 200–275 fewer calories per day than people in the control group (17).

If consuming diluted vinegar can help decrease overall calorie intake, it may lead to weight loss over time.

While these studies are promising, more research on the weight loss effects of vinegar and particularly apple cider vinegar is needed.

Summary

Many people claim that garcinia cambogia and apple cider vinegar boost each other’s weight loss benefits, but there is no research on taking them together. Studies on the effect of garcinia or vinegar alone offer mixed results.

Both apple cider vinegar and garcinia cambogia may cause side effects on their own, and research on the safety of taking them together is unavailable.

Consuming excess apple cider vinegar has been linked to indigestion, throat irritation, erosion of tooth enamel and low potassium levels (18, 19, 20).

However, apple cider vinegar appears to be safe when limited to 1–2 tablespoons (15–30 ml) diluted in water per day (16, 21).

On the other hand, garcinia cambogia may lead to more serious issues.

One case report showed that a 35-year-old man who took 160 mg of garcinia cambogia three times a day for five months experienced liver failure (22).

Additional research in animals showed that garcinia cambogia may increase liver inflammation and decrease sperm production (23, 24).

Finally, another case study reported that a woman developed serotonin toxicity when taking garcinia cambogia with her antidepressant medication (25).

Nevertheless, the most common side effects of garcinia cambogia include headaches, rashes and digestive issues (3, 15).

Keep in mind that most of the research on the safety of garcinia cambogia has been done on animals or reported in single case studies. It’s still important to exercise caution when taking this supplement.

If you are concerned about the effects of garcinia cambogia and apple cider vinegar or their possible interactions with your medications, check with your doctor.

Summary

Apple cider vinegar may cause indigestion, throat irritation and tooth erosion in large doses, but appears safe in smaller amounts. Garcinia cambogia has been linked to stomach issues and headaches, as well as one case of liver failure.

Current research suggests that up to two tablespoons (30 ml) of apple cider vinegar diluted in water a day is safe (16, 21).

Most garcinia cambogia supplements suggest taking one 500-mg pill three times a day before a meal. However, up to 2,800 mg a day appears to be safe for most healthy people (23, 26).

Theoretically, it would be safe to take the maximum doses of apple cider vinegar and garcinia cambogia together, but there is no research on their combined safety or possible interactions.

Keep in mind that the FDA doesn’t regulate supplements as tightly as medications. Therefore, the amount of garcinia cambogia listed on a label may not match the actual amount in the pills.

Summary

While there is no specific recommended dosage for either product, it appears to be safe to take up to two tablespoons (30 ml) of diluted apple cider vinegar and 2,800 mg of garcinia cambogia per day.

Limited research suggests that garcinia cambogia and apple cider vinegar may promote modest weight loss.

Though some say that taking both together enhances their weight loss effects, studies to support these claims are unavailable. What’s more, both supplements may cause side effects in high doses.

If you are interested in trying garcinia cambogia and apple cider vinegar, look for reputable brands and don’t exceed the recommended dosages.