Vinegar and Heartburn

Currently a great deal of research is focused on relationships between GERD, esophageal pH, esophageal clearing-content mechanisms, and the functioning of the esophageal sphincter (LES). Transient LES relaxation may also contribute to GERD. In the esophagus, both chemical and physical reactions are used to clear content from the stomach due to reflux. Saliva flow is increased when the body senses acid because saliva acts as a buffer, which neutralizes the acid through chemical reactions. The physical process of clearing acidic content occurs via esophageal emptying by peristalsis. Several studies show that, in the esophageal mucosa, there are acid sensitive receptors that sense the change in intraluminal pH and induce esophageal peristaltic contractions that are independent of swallowing. The movement of this acid-induced contraction is long in duration, high in amplitude, and low in propagation velocity. As the first randomized controlled trial examining the effect of vinegar ingestion on heartburn, this study will examine symptoms of heartburn only and not focus on mechanisms.