Tooth enamel

• An experimental study, released today, looks into whether apple cider vinegar could be effective for weight loss, reduce blood glucose levels and reduce blood lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides).
• The results suggest it could reduce all three – but it might not be as simple as downing an apple cider vinegar drink a day.

What did they do?

• A control group consumed an inactive drink (a placebo) made (from lactic acid added to water) to look and taste the same.
• The study was also double-blinded, which means neither the participants or the scientists involved with collecting the data knew who was in which group.

So, what did they find?

• After a period of three months apple cider vinegar consumption was linked with significant falls in body weight and body mass index (BMI).
• On average, those who drank apple cider vinegar during that period lost 6–8kg in weight and reduced their BMI by 2.7–3 points, depending on the dose.
• The authors also report significant decreases in levels of blood glucose, triglycerides, and cholesterol in the apple cider groups.

Is this good news?

• Firstly, study participants were aged from 12 to 25, so we can’t say whether the results could apply to everyone.
• And while the researchers kept records of the participants’ diet and exercise during the study, these were not published in the paper.
• This could be important and influence results if people who did not lose weight quit due to lack of motivation.

Read more:
Turns out the viral 'Sleepy Girl Mocktail' is backed by science. Should you try it?

Any other concerns?

Apple cider vinegar is acidic and there are concerns it may erode tooth enamel. This can be a problem with any acidic beverages, including fizzy drinks, lemon water and orange juice. To minimise the risk of acid erosion some dentists recommend the following after drinking acidic drinks:

Read more:
Apple cider vinegar: is drinking this popular home remedy bad for your teeth? A dentist explains

Down the hatch?

• This study provides us with some evidence of a link between apple cider vinegar and weight loss.
• This would provide more robust evidence that apple cider vinegar could be a useful aid for weight loss.

Evangeline Mantzioris is affiliated with Alliance for Research in Nutrition, Exercise and Activity (ARENA) at the University of South Australia. Evangeline Mantzioris has received funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council, and has been appointed to the National Health and Medical Research Council Dietary Guideline Expert Committee.

• Convergent Dental, the power behind the Solea® All-Tissue Dental Laser, is now helping dentists inhibit caries development with the commercial launch of Solea® Protect™ .
• This new application for the Solea laser helps reduce mineral loss in dental enamel, protecting teeth against acid attack and caries development.
• This new application is another example of the Solea laser's versatility and how Convergent Dental is pushing the future of dentistry forward.
• "This new application is another example of the versatility of the Solea laser and how Convergent Dental is pushing the future of dentistry forward."

• SPOKANE, Wash., Sept. 28, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Unlike many of us, Jared MacDonald, 34, loves going to the dentist.
• "They told me if I didn't start flossing, it could lead to bone loss and surgery."
• A recent CDC report says 47.2% of adults aged 30 years and older have some form of periodontal disease.
• Warning signs of periodontal disease include:
  Receding gums are cause for concern because they expose tooth enamel and put more areas at risk of decay.

• Dr Jen Natural's new nano-hydroxyapatite toothpaste, called the Remineralizing Toothpaste, contains 10% of the active ingredient, which has been proven to remineralize teeth equally as well as fluoride.
• To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
  With its newly launched toothpaste, Dr Jen Natural wants to provide consumers with a completely effective non-toxic alternative to traditional fluoride-based options.
• Unlike other natural brands that also use this compound, Dr Jen Natural's Remineralizing Toothpaste is the only pH balancing toothpaste available that has 10% nano-hydroxyapatite.
• A spokesperson for the specialist online store said, "Dentist-developed Dr Jen Natural's Remineralizing Toothpaste with 10% nano-hydroxyapatite provides the ultimate fluoride-free toothpaste using clinically proven ingredients that strengthen tooth enamel."