Can drinking vinegar kill you?

In this brief guide, we will answer the query, “Can drinking vinegar kill you?” and will discuss some health benefits of vinegar.

Can drinking vinegar kill you?

Yes, drinking vinegar can kill you. Ingesting vinegar is discouraged by medical centers and poison-control centers. 

Morbidities of vinegar exposure are nonspecific: pungency and bowel fixation. The ingestion of concentrated acetic acid is usually suicidal or accidental. Ingesting vinegar affects pancreas, gut, metabolic acidosis, airway, or very rarely, death.(1)

How can you safely drink white vinegar?

Safe consumption of white vinegar involves diluting it in water, juice, or other liquids. 

It can also be consumed by adding it to food. However, drinking white vinegar straight is not recommended due to potential harm it can cause to the body’s organs, including the mouth, teeth, esophagus, and stomach. 

The acidic nature of vinegar can lead to damage of the organ linings upon direct contact, leading to various complications.(2, 3)

To incorporate white vinegar into your diet, it is recommended to add a small amount, approximately 1 to 2 teaspoons, to other dishes or even water. 

White vinegar is commonly used in cooking, such as in baking and salad dressings, to enhance flavors and act as a preservative. It is important to note that white vinegar is typically consumed by adding it to recipes, juices, soups, and water. (4)

What are the harmful effects of drinking concentrated vinegar?

The consumption of straight vinegar can pose problems for the entire digestive tract due to its acidic nature. It has the potential to erode teeth and damage the internal lining of the digestive system. (2)

What should you do if you get hurt by vinegar?

In cases where a large quantity of vinegar has been swallowed, it is advisable to dilute it with water. Depending on the amount consumed, gastric lavage may be considered. 

However, it is important to avoid using carbonated beverages as they can release significant amounts of carbon dioxide gas, causing stomach distension.(2)

How can you safely handle vinegar?

Use with adequate ventilation and do not breathe dust or vapor. Avoid contact with skin, eyes, or clothing. Wash hands thoroughly after handling.(5)

What are the health effects of vinegar?

Vinegar has been reported to have health benefits, such as providing improved digestive system function, appetite stimulation, antioxidant properties, exhaustion recovery effects, lower lipid levels and the regulation of blood pressure. 

In addition, vinegar also contains polyphenols, which have been shown to prevent lipid peroxidation, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, inflammation, DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) damage and cancer.

The residues of rice vinegar have the ability to inhibit angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) activity and have reduced blood pressure in vitro. 

The mechanism of blood pressure reduction by acetic acid could be mediated by a different mechanism from that of ACE inhibitory activity. In addition to reducing blood pressure, vinegar shows a decrease in rennin activity upon the ingestion of acetic acid. 

The various types of organic acids in vinegar, and mainly acetic acid, can diffuse through the cell membranes of microorganisms, leading to bacterial cell death. 

Recent studies have suggested that bioactive compounds such as polyphenols and vitamins (also highly available in vinegars) may minimize the incidences of aging, cancer and brain degenerative disorders by providing antioxidative effects.

Vinegar may also improve the insulin sensitivity of humans, and this contributes to its antidiabetic effects. In humans, the insulin response curve is decreased by 20% after consuming sucrose co-administered with vinegar.

Acetic acid in vinegar may prevent the complete digestion of complex carbohydrates by increasing the uptake of glucose by tissues, resulting in reduced blood glucose levels.

Polyphenols such as chlorogenic acid, which is present in high levels in apple cider vinegar, could inhibit the oxidation of low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) and potentially improve health by preventing cardiovascular disease.

Acetic acid has also been reported to enhance lipid homeostasis and helps to lower cholesterol level in vivo. 

Additionally, cider vinegar has been reported to have the ability to balance pH levels in the body if taken regularly. (3)

Conclusion

In this brief guide, we answered the query, “Can drinking vinegar kill you?” and discussed some health benefits of vinegar.

Reference

  1. Shields, L. B. E., Rolf, C. M., & Hunsaker, J. C.  Sudden death due to forced ingestion of vinegar. Forensic Science International, 266, e23–e26. 2016.
  2. Pravasi, S. D.  Acetic Acid. Encyclopedia of Toxicology, 33–35.(2014).
  3. Chin Wai Ho, et al, Varieties, production, composition and health benefits of vinegars: A review, Food Chemistry, 221, 2017,
  4. M. Plessi, VINEGAR, Encyclopedia of Food Sciences and Nutrition
  5. Scholar Chemistry. Vinegar. Material safety data sheet, Harper College, 2009.

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