Apple cider vinegar soaks do not alter the skin bacterial microbiome in atopic dermatitis
Luu LA, Flowers RH, Gao Y, Wu M, Gasperino S, Kellams AL, Preston DC, Zlotoff BJ, Wisniewski JA, Zeichner SL
Published in PLOS ONE
Methodology
Randomized, non-blinded, split-arm pilot study in 11 atopic dermatitis subjects and 11 healthy controls soaking one forearm in 0.5% apple cider vinegar and the other in tap water daily for 14 days, with 16S sequencing.
Key Findings
No difference in skin bacterial microbiome composition or diversity after 2 weeks of apple cider vinegar soaks, and no reduction in mean Staphylococcus aureus abundance (p = 0.60).
Conclusions
Daily soaks in 0.5% apple cider vinegar are not an effective way to alter the skin bacterial microbiome in atopic dermatitis.
Limitations
Small pilot sample, non-blinded design, short 2-week exposure, and microbiome endpoints rather than clinical eczema severity.
Supplements Studied
Our results suggest that daily soaks in 0.5% apple cider vinegar are not an effective method of altering the skin bacterial microbiome in atopic dermatitis.
Study Details
Access Study
Disclosures
Funding
University of Virginia
This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement regimen.