Vinegar may help treat ulcerative colitis

Zee Media Bureau

Washington DC: Vinegar, used extensively in cooking to give a dash of flavour, can help treat a painful condition of the digestive system, suggests a new study.

The researchers found that both vinegar and its main component acetic acid, significantly reduced symptoms of ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease that research suggests is related to the gut microbiome, when given to mice.

An analysis of mouse stool samples showed that treated animals had higher levels of bacteria, such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria. Other studies have found these bacteria to be beneficial to mice with colitis-like symptoms.

Treatment also lowered the levels of proteins that induce potentially damaging inflammation in the gut.

The researchers say despite the positive results, further work would be needed to determine vinegar's effects on ulcerative colitis in humans

Vinegar has been credited with various amazing health benefits including heart health and cancer.

The study appears in ACS' Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

(With ANI inputs)