Acetic acid and blood sugar, fats, and weight in adults
What it found
In 16 trials with 910 adults, acetic acid lowered fasting blood sugar and certain blood fats.
It did not change body weight or other measured markers.
What they found
Studies in people
Blood fats in diabetes
People with type 2 diabetes who took acetic acid had lower levels of a blood fat called triacylglycerol compared to those who did not.
Blood fats and weight
Overweight or obese people without other illnesses also saw lower triacylglycerol levels after taking acetic acid.
Fasting blood sugar
Fasting blood sugar dropped in people with type 2 diabetes who took acetic acid compared to placebo or low-dose groups.
Weight and other markers
Acetic acid did not change body mass index, body fat percentage, long-term blood sugar markers, or good cholesterol.
Other findings
Study quality issues
Five of the 16 studies did not state the exact dose given. None checked actual acetic acid levels in the blood. Most had unclear or high risk of bias.
What the authors conclude
- They say acetic acid was well tolerated and showed no unwanted side effects in these trials.
- They suggest it may help lower certain blood fats and fasting blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes or excess weight.
- The authors call for better, longer studies with more participants to confirm these findings.
How it was done
Scientists wanted to see if taking acetic acid could help manage blood sugar and metabolism. Earlier trial results on this were mixed.
They gathered 16 randomised trials involving 910 adults. Participants took between 750 and 3600 mg of acetic acid daily for at least one week. The interventions lasted an average of 8 weeks.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- Most of the included trials had design flaws that make their results less certain.
- Because the studies only lasted about 8 weeks on average, scientists do not yet know what happens over longer periods.
- Only five studies clearly stated the dose used, so the best amount to take is unclear.
Who paid
- Authors work at
- Monash University, Australia; Monash University and Alfred Hospital, Australia
The paper
- Title
- Effect of Dietary Acetic Acid Supplementation on Plasma Glucose, Lipid Profiles, and Body Mass Index in Human Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
- Type
- Systematic review and meta-analysisThe authors follow a set, published method to find every relevant study, then combine the numbers from them into one result.
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Valdes DS, So D, Gill PA, Kellow NJ (2021). Effect of Dietary Acetic Acid Supplementation on Plasma Glucose, Lipid Profiles, and Body Mass Index in Human Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. doi:10.1016/j.jand.2020.12.002PubMed 33436350DOI
Summary written 1 Oct 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error