Vinegar and Heartburn

What this study involves

The registry says this study is recruiting. Individual locations may have different availability.

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Age range

18 years - Not specified

Sex eligible

All sexes

Healthy volunteers

Not accepted

Participants

22 Estimated

These are starting points, not an eligibility decision. The research team must review the full requirements.

About the research

In this study, a popular home remedy, vinegar, will be tested for its efficacy to relieve the discomfort of heartburn possibly by inducing the esophageal clearing mechanisms. We plan to recruit 22 individuals who report regular heartburn, but not diagnosed with erosive reflux disease, for this randomized crossover trial. Enrolled participants will identify foods that consistently cause their heartburn, and two of these foods will be prepared and consumed during their visits. Participants will arrive at the testing center on two occasions following a 4-h fast (no food or beverage except water) and consume the targeted foods in a 10-minute period. On one visit liquid vinegar will be ingested with the meal, and on the other visit (order of visits will be randomly determined) a vinegar tablet (control) will be ingested with the meal. Starting prior to food ingestion and for 2 hours post meal, symptoms will be assessed at 10-to-15-minute intervals by the participant using a validated heartburn severity scale.

Who may be able to participate?

The list below is the sponsor’s full registry wording. It can include conditions, prior treatment, test results and other requirements. A match in search does not mean you qualify.

Inclusion Criteria:

• report heartburn symptoms two or more times a week for several weeks or months
• Any over the counter PPI use (proton-pump inhibitors such as Prilosec, Nexium, Prevacid) will need to be restricted for one month.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Drug use (prescription, over-the-counter, or otherwise) known to affect the stomach and digestive processes, including GLP-1 RA or GLP/GIP medications
• Medical conditions that impact normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract (e.g., Crohn's disease, Celiac disease, short bowel syndrome, ostomy, lactose intolerance, hernia , SIBO, H. Pylori positive hasn't been cleared etc.).
• Excess alcohol use (\>2 servings daily)

Treatment, groups and participation

The registry may describe treatments and study duration without a complete visit calendar. Ask the study team for the exact schedule, procedures, risks, costs and alternatives. Keep your usual care plan unless your treating clinician tells you otherwise.

Assignment

Random assignment

Masking

No masking

What researchers are measuring

Outcome measures describe what is being studied. They are not proof that a treatment works.

Primary measures

Research locations (1)

The overall study status and a local site’s status can differ. Confirm that location’s availability before traveling.

1 locations

Study team and timeline

Lead sponsor

Arizona State University

Study start

Nov 16, 2026 Estimated

Primary completion

May 15, 2027 Estimated

Study completion

May 15, 2027 Estimated

First posted

Nov 10, 2026 Actual

Last updated

Nov 10, 2026 Actual

Official study contacts