Zehra Kadas¹, Gulsun Akdemir Evrendilek^1,, Gulumser Heper²

Hawthorn (Crataegus oxycantha) vinegar produced traditionally only in Bolu (Turkey) in small amount is believed to cure some diseases such as cold, flu and cardiovascular diseases by local people. However, very limited amount of information is available regarding the health effect of hawthorn vinegar. In order to investigate the metabolic effects of hawthorn vinegar 37 patients who were diabetic, hypertensive, overweight and taking related medications with high cardiovascular risk group were selected and without changing their diet habits and exercise program, vinegar consumption was added to each meal during four-week. There was a significant change on the weight loss, BMI change, blood pressure decrease, glucose, cholesterol, trigliseride, LDL, HDL and cholesterol/HDL after consumption of Hawthorn vinegar (p≤0.05). Total phenolic substance concentration (mg/mL) and total monomeric anthocyanin content (mg/L) and total antioxidant capacity (%) of the Hawthorn vinegar were measured as 0.51, 0.25 and 77, respectively. This study demonstrates that Hawthorn vinegar has positive metabolic effects on the patients with high cardiovascular risk factors.

hawthorn vinegar, metabolism, weight loss, preventive medicine