Common kitchen staple may help relieve mild constipation, new research suggests

Key Points:

• A new Japanese study suggests that daily consumption of a vinegar beverage containing acetic acid may improve bowel movement frequency in healthy adults with mild constipation, increasing bowel movements by about 1.2 per week after four weeks.
• The randomized controlled trial involved 44 participants aged 20 to 69, who consumed either a vinegar drink or a placebo for four weeks; the vinegar group showed earlier and greater improvements in defecation frequency, stool volume, and number of defecation days.
• Experts caution that the findings are preliminary and not sufficient to recommend vinegar as a treatment for constipation, emphasizing that established strategies like adequate fiber intake, hydration, physical activity, and consistent bathroom routines remain more reliable.
• The study was funded by Mizkan Holdings, a vinegar manufacturer, and some researchers were employed by the company, which may introduce potential bias; further independent research is needed to confirm the results.
• Health professionals warn that excessive vinegar consumption can cause esophageal irritation and dental enamel erosion, and note that hydration with mineral-rich water and soluble fiber intake are more effective and safer approaches to managing constipation.