Vinegar May Hold a Clue to Treating Depression, Study Finds

Depression affects millions of people worldwide, and treating it is difficult. Often, specialists must resort to pharmacological treatments with severe side effects. On the other hand, habits such as exercise or spending time in nature can help alleviate some of its symptoms.

Vinegar and depression. A new study has discovered antidepressant qualities in vinegar, a common condiment. The team responsible for the study not only found that this common salad ingredient can alleviate depressive symptoms but also investigated the possible mechanism behind this relationship.

B3. This mechanism is nicotinamide, one of the forms of vitamin B3. The team’s experiment found an 86% increase in nicotinamide levels after four weeks of high consumption of this acidic condiment.

Nicotinamide is a compound used by the body for tasks such as neuronal development, survival, and function in the central nervous system. According to experts, this vitamin plays a neuroprotective role by preventing lesions in these cells in cases of traumatic injury or heart attack.

Nicotinamide is also linked to neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. This compound is present in various foods, including meats, milk, eggs, vegetables, and cereals.

Two tablespoons. The study involved 45 healthy, overweight adults (although only 28 completed the experiment). Participants were randomly divided into two groups: an experimental group and a control group.

The first group took two tablespoons of diluted vinegar twice daily for two weeks, while the second group took a low-dose vinegar tablet once daily for the same period. The respective doses of acetic acid were 2.95 and 0.025 grams.

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The team collected blood samples before and after the experiment. They also compiled information on the participants’ diets, weights, heights, and other relevant variables.

42%. Participants filled out questionnaires about their health status and depressive symptoms. They also provided more detailed information about their daily consumption of vinegar.

There were no significant differences between the control and experimental groups at the beginning of the experiment. However, essential differences emerged after four weeks. Specifically, participants in the experimental group saw a 42% reduction in their test scores assessing depressive symptoms.

Blood tests revealed an increase in nicotinamide in the experimental group, along with a decrease in isoleucine levels. Isoleucine is an essential amino acid whose presence in the body has been linked to certain health issues. The article was published in the journal Nutrients.

A limited sample size. While the study offers fascinating insights into the impact that certain foods and nutrients can have on psychological well-being and mental health, it also has significant limitations. First, the sample size of 28 participants is too small to give the results statistical validity. Another essential detail is the duration of the study.

Although the team observed differences after four weeks, a longer study would be necessary to determine whether the effects are sustained over time and whether there are additional impacts.

Finally, the study was conducted with healthy and overweight individuals. These results may not be extrapolated to the general population or people with severe symptoms or clinical depression. Further studies are needed to understand the potential effects on these populations.

Image | Ron Lach

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