By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
A daily beverage containing vinegar may help improve bowel regularity in adults experiencing mild constipation, according to a Japanese clinical trial published Aug. 20 in the journal Scientific Reports. Researchers found that participants who consumed the vinegar drink for four weeks reported significantly more frequent bowel movements than those given a placebo.
The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study involved 44 healthy Japanese adults between the ages of 20 and 69 who typically had three to five bowel movements per week. Participants were randomly assigned to consume either a diluted vinegar beverage or a similar-tasting placebo each morning with breakfast.
The vinegar beverage contained 750 milligrams of acetic acid, the primary acidic component of vinegar, in a 200-milliliter serving. Researchers used brewed vinegar diluted with water, while the placebo contained a small amount of citric acid to produce a comparable tart flavor. Both beverages were flavored with apple and sweetened with sucralose.
After four weeks, participants receiving vinegar averaged approximately 1.2 more bowel movements per week than those consuming the placebo. The difference was statistically significant, suggesting that the beverage may have contributed to improved bowel regularity among the participants.
Researchers also observed improvements during the first week of the trial, including increases in bowel movement frequency, the number of days participants passed stool and stool volume. However, those secondary findings were exploratory and were not consistently observed throughout the study.
The researchers examined whether consuming vinegar affected the diversity of bacteria in participants’ digestive systems but found no significant changes in fecal microbial diversity. No adverse events attributed to the intervention were reported during the four-week trial.
According to Fox News, outside medical experts described the findings as preliminary because of the small number of participants and the limited duration of the experiment.
Both the vinegar and placebo groups experienced improvements in bowel regularity during the study. Researchers acknowledged that drinking an additional beverage every morning could have benefited participants who were not consistently consuming sufficient fluids.
The study was funded by Mizkan Holdings, a Japanese food company that manufactures vinegar products. Three of the researchers were employees of the company, a relationship disclosed in the published paper.
Registered dietitian Jamie Lee McIntyre, who was not involved in the research, cautioned that the findings do not establish vinegar as a treatment for constipation. She emphasized that investigators tested a standardized beverage containing a specific concentration of acetic acid rather than concentrated apple cider vinegar or commercially available vinegar supplements.
McIntyre also warned that regularly consuming undiluted vinegar may irritate the esophagus and contribute to dental enamel erosion because of its acidity.
Dr. Eric Shah, a gastroenterologist and clinical associate professor at the University of Michigan, said established approaches to managing constipation include adequate hydration, soluble fiber intake and, when appropriate, pelvic floor physical therapy.
The National Institutes of Health recommends that adults consume approximately 22 to 34 grams of dietary fiber daily, depending on age and sex. Fiber-rich foods include beans, lentils, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. Regular physical activity and appropriate fluid intake are also commonly recommended for maintaining bowel regularity.
The Japanese researchers noted that earlier observational research had identified an association between consuming vinegar-based foods and more frequent bowel movements. However, those findings could not determine whether vinegar itself was responsible for the difference.
The new randomized trial was designed to examine that possibility more directly by controlling participants’ acetic acid intake and comparing their results with those of a placebo group.
Although the findings provide preliminary evidence that diluted vinegar beverages may improve bowel movement frequency in adults with mild constipation, the researchers said larger and longer studies are needed to confirm the effects, determine the most effective amount and establish whether the benefits extend to people with more severe or chronic constipation.
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