Byrdie / Sabrina Jiang
Apple cider vinegar (ACV) supplements have become increasingly popular as a way to lower sugar cravings and decrease cholesterol levels. Supplements are a convenient way of consuming ACV so people don't have to stomach the harsh taste that can accompany a liquid formula. However, it's worth noting that the science behind their purported health benefits is still very young.If you're interested in adding ACV to your daily routine, it's imperative to find a formula with a high enough concentration in order to reap their benefits, and not all ACV supplements fit the bill, according to registered dietitian nutritionist, Andrea Grange.
The best apple cider vinegar supplements are those with a concentration of at least 200mg, notes Grange and also those that have no added sugars. If you do decide to try an apple cider vinegar supplement, make sure you check with your physician before adding one to your routine. “They may interact with medications,” says Lisa Young, PhD, RDN. “For example, because ACV has natural diuretic properties, you should avoid apple cider vinegar supplements if you already take a diuretic. Also, ACV may cause nausea in people who have sensitive stomachs as well as throat irritation.” Lastly, ACV supplements may cause low potassium levels if you take too much, adds Brittany Lubeck, MS, RD.
In order to find the best ACV supplements on the market, we conducted hours of research and consulted expert registered nutritionist dietitians for their recommended picks.
Ahead, find the best apple cider vinegar supplements to enhance your wellness routine.
What we like
Vegan
Gluten-free
Non-GMO
No artificial colors
What we don't like
May cause flatulence
What do buyers say? 89% of 4,600+ Amazon reviewers rated this product 4 stars or above.
This product is backed by clinical research and is combined with vitamin D and zinc. “Bragg recently started producing ACV supplements that contain 750 milligrams of acetic acid, plus 13 milligrams of zinc and 1,200 IU of vitamin D3,” says Grace Clark-Hibbs, MDA, RDN. She likes the blend of nutrients in this formulation in order to
Key Ingredients: Vitamin D3, zinc, sodium, organic apple cider vinegar, sodium diacetate, and acetic acid | Age Range: Adult 18+ | Dosage: 3 capsules | Certified: Non-GMO, kosher
What we like
Free of common allergens
No artificial colors or flavors
Vegetarian
What we don't like
Tablets may be harder for some to swallow than capsules
If you're on a budget, look no further than this vegetarian supplement. At under $10 for 200 tablets, you can't beat the value of this pick. “Every two tablets contains 480 milligrams of ACV and 26.9 milligrams of acetic acid,” says registered dietician, Grace Clark-Hibbs.
Key Ingredients: Apple cider vinegar | Age Range: Adult 18+ | Dosage: 2 tablets | Certified: cGMP compliant
What we like
Free of common allergens
No artificial colors or flavors
What we don't like
Contains a low amount of acetic acid
This supplement contains the components that indicate it’s made from real apple cider. It provides the expected level of acidity it’s not contaminated with any heavy metals. And at under $6 for 100 capsules, it’s reasonably priced. However, it “also has the least amount of acetic acid,” notes Clark-Hibbs.
Key Ingredients: Apple cider vinegar | Age Range: Adult 18+ | Dosage: 1 capsule | Certified: N/A
What we like
Free of common allergens
Non-GMO
Kosher
What we don't like
May cause flatulence
NOW produces quality products that undergo rigorous testing. “Every two capsules contain 900 milligrams ACV powder and 52.3 milligrams acetic acid,” says Clark-Hibbs.
Key Ingredients: Apple cider vinegar powder | Age Range: Adult 18+ | Dosage: 2 capsules | Certified: cGMP compliant, kosher, Underwriters Laboratories Dietary Supplement Certification
What we like
Free of common allergens
No artificial colors or flavors
What we don't like
Tablets may be harder for some to swallow than capsules
The tablet form of this supplement masks the tart taste of ACV. “Every two tablets provide 480 milligrams ACV and 27.9 milligrams acetic acid,” notes Clark-Hibbs.
Key Ingredients: Apple cider vinegar | Age Range: Adult 18+ | Dosage: 2 tablets | Certified: N/A
What we like
Free of common allergens
No artificial colors or flavors
What we don't like
Tablets may be harder for some to swallow than capsules
This vegetarian supplement is free of common allergens as well as artificial colors and flavors. “These tablets provide 600 milligrams of ACV,” says Clark-Hibbs. The only ingredient is apple cider vinegar, so there’s no sugar added.
Key Ingredients: Apple cider vinegar | Age Range: Adult 18+ | Dosage: 1 tablet | Certified: N/A
What we like
Vegan
Gluten-free
Dairy-free
Non-GMO
What we don't like
A bit pricey
These ACV gummies contain pure apple cider vinegar and have a tasty red apple flavor. “I love these because they are fortified with B vitamins and are preservative-free,” says Nicole Avena, PhD and author of Why Diets Fail. “In addition, the ACV is derived from ‘The Mother’ of apple cider vinegar, which contains beneficial proteins, enzymes, and bacteria.” Although they are a bit more expensive than some gummies, we think their formula derived from "The Mother" makes it worth the spend. We also found these better than the popular brand of Goli apple cider vinegar gummies, with reviewers noting a more pleasant taste.
Key Ingredients: Vitamin B6, folic acid, vitamin B12, iodine, sodium, apple cider vinegar powder, pomegranate juice powder, and beet juice powder | Age Range: Adult 18+ | Dosage: 2 gummies | Certified: N/A
What we like
Made with organic ACV
What we don't like
Made in facility with milk, soy, wheat, egg, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish
Made with organic apple cider vinegar, this supplement also contains cayenne pepper fruit. “Every two-capsule serving provides 1,000 milligrams of ACV and 62.1 milligrams of acetic acid,” says Clark-Hibbs. “One precaution is that this product is manufactured in a facility that also processes milk, soy, wheat, egg, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish.”
Key Ingredients: Organic apple cider vinegar and cayenne pepper fruit | Age Range: Adult 18+ | Dosage: 2 capsules | Certified: cGMP compliant
What we like
USDA organic
Gluten-free
Non-GMO
What we don't like
Very acidic when taken alone
This product’s only ingredient is organic apple cider vinegar. “Bragg’s apple cider vinegar is raw and unfiltered,” says Clark-Hibbs. “This means it contains ‘The Mother,’ the component of Bragg's ACV that makes it cloudy and provides the most health benefits.” Boardman suggests taking one tablespoon of the apple cider vinegar daily to obtain an efficacious dose of 750 milligrams. Pro tip: You can replace the vinegar in any homemade salad dressing recipe with it, too.
Key Ingredients: Organic apple cider vinegar, water | Age Range: Adult 18+ | Dosage: 1 Tablespoon | Certified: USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, kosher
Final Verdict
Although more research needs to be done before we can say for sure that apple cider vinegar is beneficial, most experts agree that ACV supplements are safe to take. Team Byrdie’s top pick is Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar Capsules, although they’re a bit pricy at $20 for 90 capsules. If you’re looking for a more cost-effective option, Nature’s Bounty Apple Cider Vinegar won the most budget-friendly award, ringing in at about $.05 a tablet.
Meet the Expert
- Lisa Young, PhD, RDN, author of Finally Full, Finally Slim.
- Brittany Lubeck, MS, RD, is a registered dietitian and nutritional consultant.
- Andrea Grange is a registered dietitian nutritionist and an IdealFit partner. She’s a certified specialist in sports dietetics as well as a certified nutrition support clinician.
- Grace Clark-Hibbs, MDA, RDN, a registered dietitian in Portland, OR, and owner of Nutrition with Grace.
What to Look For in Apple Cider Vinegar Supplements
A high concentration of ACV
Registered dietitian nutritionist, Andrea Grange says to read a product’s label thoroughly to make sure it contains a high enough level of ACV for you to reap all the benefits. How many milligrams does this entail? “Because there isn’t much research on ACV, there are no official recommendations, but I would say look for products that contain at least 200mg,” she says.
No added sugars
While we all want our gummies to be delicious, Grange recommends ACV supplements that don’t contain any added sugars. “Sometimes vitamin companies will add in extra sugar to make a supplement taste better,” she says. “While it’s nice to have a good-tasting supplement, the added sugar isn’t worth it.” Have
a sweet tooth? Look for products that have very low amounts of added sugars or use sugar alternatives that won’t have much of an effect on your blood sugar, like erythritol.
GMP-certified
Dietary supplements aren’t regulated by the FDA, so
Grange recommends supplements that have been tested by a third-party company. A good place to start? Look for products that are GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices)-certified to ensure they're produced with safe practices and standards.
FAQ
What are the benefits of apple cider vinegar supplements?
“Apple cider vinegar gummies and supplements have only been on the market for a few years, so there is no peer-reviewed research on their effects, benefits, or drawbacks specifically,” says Clark-Hibbs. “However, there is research on the health effects of apple cider vinegar itself,” she notes. “Most benefits are attributed to the acetic acid component of ACV. This has been shown to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Most of the existing research was done on animals and can't be translated directly to humans, though.”
As for the exact benefits that ACV may provide? “A comprehensive review in BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies of the current research determined that people with type 2 diabetes who struggle with managing their blood sugar saw the best blood- sugar- and cholesterol-lowering results after taking 1 tablespoon of ACV per day for more than eight weeks,” says Clark-Hibbs. “That being said, there is little to no research to support these benefits in individuals without these underlying conditions.”
Do apple cider vinegar supplements expire?
Yes, they do. “All supplements will lose their potency over time,” says Clark-Hibbs. “This means they will eventually become less effective but won't necessarily expire or be unsafe to consume.” Store your supplements in a cool, dry place for them to last as long as possible.
How often should you take apple cider vinegar supplements?
“Since there is so little research available for ACV supplements, there is no set recommended dose,” says Clark-Hibbs. “One brand of ACV supplements recommends three capsules per day, which is the equivalent of 1 tablespoon of liquid ACV. This is in line with the general recommendations of 1 to 2 tablespoons of liquid ACV diluted in water per day.”
Why Trust Byrdie
Byrdie contributor Amy Gorin, MS, RDN is a registered dietitian nutritionist and has over a decade of experience in the nutrition industry, writing for some of the biggest magazines and websites out there. She specializes in plant-based nutrition and is one of the most recognized nutrition experts in America. For this piece, she interviewed seven additional nutrition experts. Additionally, seven of her nine picks were approved in ConsumerLab’s apple cider vinegar review.
According to our Diversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find any apple cider vinegar gummies from a Black-owned and/or Black-founded business. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at and we will evaluate the product ASAP.
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Can apple cider vinegar help with weight loss? Cleveland Clinic.
Apple cider vinegar: medlineplus supplements.