In the news: Vinegar Supports Mental Well-Being; Ginger for Migraine?

Mood-Lifting Effect of Daily Vinegar Use

Vinegar, a product of fermented grains and fruits, is emerging as a natural complement to standard care for several chronic conditions. Daily vinegar intake, for example, has been found to improve blood sugar control in type 2 diabetes and shown to lower blood triglycerides in obese individuals.

Now, new research has examined the impact of daily vinegar intake on mood states and urinary metabolites in healthy college students (aged 18-24 years). The preliminary study, led by nutrition professor Carol S. Johnston of Arizona State University, is the first to link daily vinegar use in healthy young adults with improved mood.

The major ingredient in vinegar is acetic acid, which has a role as an antioxidant in biological systems, including the brain. Theoretically, vinegar may improve mental function by providing an outside source of acetate, a metabolite derived from acetic acid that has been linked to improved cognitive performance in rats.

Prior to the current study, the research team analyzed urinary and plasma metabolites in healthy college students who took red wine vinegar twice daily for eight weeks.

They observed changes in blood levels of certain antioxidant metabolites and the metabolism of tryptophan, a precursor to the stress-alleviating neurotransmitter serotonin.

Those promising initial findings suggested an unexplored role for vinegar in mental health, leading the researchers to carry out the current study(1) – a placebo-controlled trial looking at the impact of daily vinegar intake on mood states and urinary metabolites in healthy college students.

Specifically, they tested whether apple cider vinegar (2 tablespoons diluted in a cup of water twice daily with meals for four weeks) reduced depression scores, based on validated measures of depression, compared to the control treatment.

The vinegar group saw a 20–34% reduction in depression scores, while slight increases in those scores were seen in control group participants.

The pre- and post-study analyses of metabolites in the vinegar group showed changes that are consistent for improved mood, including changes in the metabolism of several amino acids and brain-related pathways. These changes were distinctly different between groups.

Since the study was relatively small, the investigators hope their findings will spur further research to confirm that vinegar – an ordinary cooking staple found in most kitchen cupboards – can bolster mental well-being.

Ginger for Migraines?

Ginger, widely used in traditional medicine, is probably best known clinically for calming nausea and vomiting associated with pregnancy, chemotherapy, post-operatively, and perhaps motion sickness. There is also some data associated with lessening menstrual pain, though not osteoarthritis. Because it potentially reduces nausea and pain it has been studied lately in migraine headache.

In examining the evidence for ginger use in migraine, the author of a new review(2) concludes that there is not yet enough data to recommend it as a first line treatment. However, it may be a useful home remedy for those who, for whatever reason, cannot take established first line medications, according to the author.

One controlled trial found that ginger was no better than placebo for preventing migraine. In other words, ginger did not affect how often migraines occur. However, a meta-analysis (review of studies) found that compared to placebo, a greater percentage of patients were pain free 2 hours after taking ginger. Ginger also reduced the risk of migraine-related nausea and vomiting.

References

1. Johnson CS, et al. Daily vinegar ingestion improves depression scores and alters the metabolome in healthy adults: A randomized controlled trial. Nutrients. 13: 4020, 2021.
2. Andrade C. Review: Ginger for Migraine. Clin Prac Psychopharmacol. 82:6, Dec. 2021.