The apple cider vinegar detox: does it have health benefits?

There’s a health trend that continues to make headlines. It involves taking a shot of apple cider vinegar in the morning to help cleanse the body.

"Apple cider vinegar not only can help with blood sugar, but we received countless success stories on how it kick-started healthy transformations all over the country,” said Doctor Oz in an episode on his show.

Those who incorporate apple cider vinegar into their diet claim it helps with detox, weight loss, clearing skin and controlling blood sugar levels.

However, it tastes as good as it looks and it’s highly acidic.

“One of the things I would strongly avoid,” says registered dietitian Jessica Crandall Snyder. “It's not actually helpful. It's harmful."

Yes, Snyder says it can be harmful on the body.

"Apple cider vinegar as a shot is not only going to hurt your stomach and make you have some reflux, decrease enamel on your teeth, but it's definitely not going to give you the claims that you are hoping for like decreasing your belly fat or lowering your blood sugars,” she explains.

Snyder says there is just no scientific studies backing these claims. Additionally, she says if you want to detox your body, you don't need to spend money to do it.

"Your kidneys are going to be the answer to that, getting adequate amounts of fluid adequate amounts of nutrition from the foods you're eating,” she says. “But not through these crazy supplements you are taking or crazy fad diets you are trying."

Now, if you like taking it and think it really helps you personally, Snyder says go for it. However, if you’re taking it as miracle medicine, don’t hold your breath.