Austin Publishing Group- Intake of Black Vinegar on Anthropometric Measures

Intake of Black Vinegar on Anthropometric Measures, Cardiometabolic Profiles

Abstract

The purpose of this open-label non-controlled study is to evaluate the effects of black vinegar intake over the course of 8 weeks on anthropometric measures, cardiometabolic profiles, and insulin sensitivity among adults with impaired glucose tolerance.

After screening, we recruited 32 impaired fasting glucose subjects (14 males and 18 females) with the mean age of 56.3 (from 25 to 65). Black vinegar 50 ml was diluted to 500 ml with drinking water and was given to all subjects for 8 weeks. At baseline and 8-week, all study subjects received 75 grams of Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) after 10 hours of fasting. Venous blood was collected at 0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 minutes. Plasma glucose and insulin levels were measured using the glucose oxidase method and radioimmunoassay method. Anthropometric variables including body height, body weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, and body fat were measured using standard methods. BMI and wait-to-hip ratio were calculated to represent body fat distribution. Blood pressure was measured under sitting position after resting for five minutes. Blood lipid profiles including total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-C and LDL-C were measured. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare the difference between baseline and after eight weeks.

Introduction

Obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus are the most important chronic diseases around the world. They are associated with huge medical expenditure and with increasing morbidity and mortality among related cardio-metabolic diseases in developing and developed countries [1,2].

Vinegar was first reported to have anti-glycemic effects since 1988 in animal and human studies [3]. Vinegar may be associated with improved insulin sensitivity and delayed gastric emptying that accompanied improved glycemic control and reduced body weight [4,5].

Some studies have demonstrated that vinegar intake has some effects in increasing insulin sensitivity and decreasing blood glucose levels in either healthy adults or diabetes subjects [4,6-8]. Vinegar intake with meals can reduce fasting blood glucose levels in healthy adults [6]. A small cross-over study had shown that the postprandial glucose and insulin levels reduction and vinegar can improve insulin sensitivity in healthy and insulin resistant subjects but not for diabetic patients [7].

But a later study has shown that vinegar can reduce HbA1c level up to 0.16% in diabetes after 12 weeks of regular daily ingestion of vinegar and the positive effects of vinegar intake was found in diabetic subjects [8].

Whether vinegar is an effective treatment for controlling body weight and improving insulin sensitivity is still controversial [9]. This suggests that the effects of vinegar on weight loss, insulin sensitivity and blood glucose or insulin levels have not been consistent and further studies are needed in different metabolic status subjects.

Materials and Methods

In total, 32 adults (14 males and 18 females) who have impaired fasting glucose or glucose intolerance were recruited from the outpatient clinic of the Tri-Service General Hospital at Taipei, Taiwan. The criteria for inclusion into this trial were as follows: ages 25–65, absence of infection within the previous three weeks, and no history of malignant tumors. The exclusion criteria were pregnancy, current or a history of cerebrovascular accident, myocardial infarction, heart failure, renal failure, hepatic failure, autoimmune disorders, endocrine diseases, or psychiatric conditions, including mood disorders and alcohol abuse. The subjects allergic to vinegar are also excluded.

All study participants consumed black vinegar 50 ml diluted to 500 ml with drinking water every day for eight weeks. All participants provided written informed consent and agreed to take black vinegar for eight weeks and have their blood samples taken for this study. The institutional review board of our hospital approved this study (Number: TSGHIRB-2-106-65-010).