The Effect of Honey Vinegar Syrup on Anthropometric Indices and Blood Pressure in Healthy Subjects: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

Backgrounds and Objectives: The effect of honey or vinegar has been studied separately on metabolic abnormalities. The mixture of these two ingredients as honey vinegar, in combination with water, is one of the Iranian's traditional syrups. Considering the therapeutic effect of honey vinegar on blood pressure, no study has yet been carried out in this regard. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of the consumption of honey vinegar syrup on blood pressure and anthropometric indices in healthy individuals. Methods: This clinical trial was conducted as a randomized, controlled, and parallel study during a 4-week period. A total of 72 non-obese healthy volunteers were selected, and randomly assigned to two groups of intervention and control (36 subjects in each group). All subjects were asked to remain on their normal diet. The intervention group received daily a glass of honey vinegar syrup as snack (evening meal) (250ml syrup containing 21.7g honey vinegar). Assessment of blood pressure and anthropometric indices was performed before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed using paired t-, independent t-, and covariance statistical tests. The significance level was considered p<0.05. Results: In this study, honey vinegar syrup had no significant effect on blood pressure and anthropometric indices. Conclusion: The results showed that honey vinegar syrup in the received doses, had no significant effect on anthropometric indices and blood pressure. Therefore, further researches are necessary to confirm or refute the claim of the ineffectiveness of this syrup on anthropometric indices and blood pressure.

Keywords

• acetic acid
• blood pressure
• anthropometry
• a randomized clinical trial