Apple Cider Vinegar Gum Eases Heartburn After Meals

clinical-trial PMID: 25144853

Apple Cider Vinegar Gum Eases Heartburn After Meals

Quick Summary: This study tested a special chewing gum called GutsyGum™, which includes apple cider vinegar along with other natural ingredients, to see if it helps reduce heartburn and acid reflux after eating a meal that triggers these symptoms. People who chewed the gum reported less heartburn and acid reflux compared to a fake gum with no active ingredients. While promising, the gum's benefits might come from the mix of ingredients, not just apple cider vinegar alone.

What The Research Found

Researchers wanted to know if GutsyGum™ could make gastroesophageal reflux (GER) symptoms—like that burning feeling in your chest—feel better after a meal designed to cause reflux. The gum contains apple cider vinegar (ACV), licorice extract, papain (an enzyme from papaya), and calcium carbonate, all blended in a special formula called GiGs®.

Key results showed the gum worked better than a plain placebo gum:
- Heartburn relief: People rated their heartburn much lower with GutsyGum™ (average score of 0.81 on a 10-point scale) compared to placebo (1.45). This difference was statistically significant, meaning it's unlikely due to chance.
- Acid reflux reduction: Scores for acid reflux were also lower with the gum (0.72 vs. 1.46 on the scale), again a clear win over placebo.
- Other symptoms like pain, nausea, and belching improved a bit with the gum, but not enough to be statistically significant. For example, pain scores were 0.4 with the gum versus 0.9 with placebo, but it just missed the mark for strong proof.

These ratings came from simple self-reported scales where people marked how bad their symptoms felt right after eating and up to 4 hours later.

Study Details

Who was studied: 24 healthy adults (ages 18-65, both men and women) who had a history of GER symptoms, like occasional heartburn. They weren't on heavy medications that could mess with the results.
How long: Each test session lasted about 4 hours after the meal, with symptoms checked every 15 minutes. The full study involved two sessions for each person, separated by a one-week break to "wash out" any lingering effects.
What they took: Right after eating a reflux-triggering meal (think high-fat and acidic foods like fried items or citrus), participants chewed one piece of GutsyGum™ or the placebo gum for 30 minutes. The exact amount of apple cider vinegar in the gum wasn't specified—it's part of a proprietary blend.

The study was double-blind (neither participants nor researchers knew who got the real gum) and crossover-style (everyone tried both gums, just on different days) to make it fair and reliable.

What This Means For You

If you deal with heartburn or acid reflux after big or spicy meals, this suggests chewing a gum like GutsyGum™ could offer quick, natural relief without popping pills. Apple cider vinegar is often praised for gut health, and here it seems to team up with other ingredients to calm stomach acid and ease discomfort.

Try it if: You want a simple post-meal habit to reduce burning sensations—chew for 30 minutes after eating.
Real-life tip: Look for gums with ACV or similar blends, but start small to see how your body reacts. It's not a cure-all, so pair it with lifestyle changes like avoiding trigger foods or eating smaller meals.
Who might benefit most: Folks with mild GER who prefer natural options over antacids. Always chat with a doctor if symptoms are frequent or severe—this isn't medical advice.

Study Limitations

No study is perfect, and this one has some caveats to keep in mind:
- Small group: Only 24 people were tested, so results might not apply to everyone—bigger studies are needed for stronger proof.
- Ingredient mystery: We don't know the exact dose of apple cider vinegar, so it's hard to say if it's the star player or if the combo (with licorice and others) makes the magic happen.
- Self-reported feelings: Symptoms were based on how people felt and rated them, which can vary day to day and isn't as objective as medical tests.
- Short-term only: It checked effects for just 4 hours; we don't know if it'd help over days, weeks, or long-term use.
- Possible bias: The gum's maker funded the study, which could influence how results are presented. Plus, it compared to a fake gum, not real treatments like antacids.
- Not standalone ACV: This tests the gum, not drinking apple cider vinegar straight—effects might differ if you use ACV alone.

Overall, it's a positive step for natural GER relief, but more research would help confirm if apple cider vinegar gum is a go-to for everyday heartburn. (Clinical Trial Registration: ACTRN12612000973819)

Key Findings

The study found that GutsyGum™, a chewing gum containing apple cider vinegar (ACV), licorice extract, papain, and calcium carbonate, significantly reduced subjective ratings of heartburn and acid reflux compared to placebo gum after a refluxogenic meal. Heartburn scores were 0.81 ± 0.20 cm (GutsyGum™) vs. 1.45 ± 0.20 cm (placebo) over 4 hours (p = 0.034), and acid reflux scores were 0.72 ± 0.19 cm vs. 1.46 ± 0.19 cm (p = 0.013). Secondary outcomes (pain, nausea, belching) showed non-significant trends toward improvement.

Study Design

This was a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial with 24 participants (aged 18–65, mixed genders) with a history of gastro-esophageal reflux (GER). Each participant consumed a refluxogenic meal (high-fat, acidic) and then chewed either GutsyGum™ or placebo gum for 30 minutes. Symptom assessments were conducted via 10 cm Visual Analogue Scales (VAS) at 15-minute intervals for 4 hours postmeal. A one-week washout separated treatments.

Dosage & Administration

Participants chewed one piece of GutsyGum™ or placebo gum for 30 minutes immediately after the meal. The proprietary blend in GutsyGum™ included apple cider vinegar (ACV), licorice extract, papain, and calcium carbonate, though exact dosages of individual components were not disclosed.

Results & Efficacy

Heartburn: Adjusted mean VAS scores were significantly lower with GutsyGum™ (0.81 ± 0.20 cm) vs. placebo (1.45 ± 0.20 cm) (p = 0.034).
Acid Reflux: Mean scores were also significantly reduced with GutsyGum™ (0.72 ± 0.19 cm) vs. placebo (1.46 ± 0.19 cm) (p = 0.013).
Secondary Outcomes: Pain approached significance (0.4 ± 0.2 vs. 0.9 ± 0.2 cm; p = 0.081). Nausea and belching were lower with GutsyGum™ but not statistically significant (p = 0.114 and p = 0.154, respectively).

Limitations

Small Sample Size: Only 24 participants limit generalizability and statistical power.
Proprietary Blend: ACV dosage was not specified, making it unclear whether effects were due to ACV alone or synergistic interactions with licorice extract, papain, or calcium carbonate.
Subjective Measures: Symptom ratings were self-reported, potentially introducing bias.
Short Duration: Outcomes measured only over 4 hours; long-term efficacy and safety are unknown.
Funding Bias: The study was funded by the manufacturer of GutsyGum™, which may influence results.
No Active Comparator: Placebo gum lacked active ingredients, but comparisons to standard GER treatments (e.g., antacids) were not made.

Clinical Relevance

For individuals with GER, chewing GutsyGum™ after meals may offer modest relief from heartburn and acid reflux, though effects on other symptoms like pain and nausea are inconclusive. The lack of isolated ACV testing means benefits cannot be directly attributed to ACV alone. Users should consider this as adjunctive support, not a replacement for medical therapies. Larger trials with transparent ingredient dosing and longer follow-up are needed to confirm these findings.

Note: This analysis focuses solely on the referenced trial (ACTRN12612000973819), which evaluated ACV as part of a multi-ingredient gum, not standalone ACV supplementation.