Does apple cider vinegar reduce post-meal oxidative stress in adults with obesity?

Acute Effect of Apple Cider Vinegar Consumption on Postprandial Plasma Malondialdehyde Level in Adult With Obesity

This test tries to see if a single dose of apple cider vinegar taken before a meal lowers post-meal blood levels of malondialdehyde (a marker of oxidative stress) in adults with obesity.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 46 (estimated)
• Ages: 19 Years to 59 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Indonesia University (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Jakarta)
• Trial ID: NCT07414875 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This is a parallel, randomized, open-label, controlled trial in adults aged 19–59 with obesity (BMI ≥25 by Asia-Pacific criteria). Participants undergo a one-week run-in with diet guidance and are randomly assigned to drink either 15 mL of apple cider vinegar diluted in 250 mL water or 250 mL water alone, consumed shortly before a standardized meal. Blood samples will be taken to measure postprandial plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) to quantify acute changes in lipid peroxidation. The trial excludes people with chronic diseases, pregnancy, breastfeeding, menopause, alcohol use, or intolerance to fermented products to reduce confounding factors.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults 19–59 years old with obesity (BMI ≥25 by Asia-Pacific criteria), in generally good health without chronic diseases, who are willing to attend in-person visits and avoid excluded behaviors or intolerances.

Not a fit: People with diagnosed chronic diseases (such as diabetes, heart, kidney disease, cancer, hepatitis, or chronic infections), pregnant or breastfeeding or menopausal women, regular alcohol users, or those intolerant to apple cider vinegar are not expected to benefit or be eligible.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could offer a simple, low-cost way to reduce post-meal oxidative stress in people with obesity, which may help lower cardiometabolic risk over time.

How similar studies have performed: Prior research has shown long-term apple cider vinegar can affect blood glucose and lipid profiles, but evidence for acute reductions in postprandial oxidative stress (MDA) is limited and relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Adults aged 19-59 years.
2. Obese, based on a BMI of ≥ 25.0 kg/m² (according to the Asia-Pacific classification).
3. In good general health.
4. No diagnosed chronic diseases (e.g diabetes mellitus, heart disease, kidney disease, cancer, hepatitis, or chronic infections).
5. Willing to participate in the entire study and sign an informed consent form.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Pregnant, breastfeeding, or menopausal women.
2. Alcohol consumption.
3. Intolerance to apple cider vinegar or fermented products.

Where this trial is running

Jakarta

• Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Indonesia (KEMENPORA RI) — Jakarta, Indonesia (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Ika Handayani, MD — Faculty of Medicine, University of Indonesia
• Study coordinator: Ika Handayani, MD

Conditions Oxidative Stress; Obesity