What is Acetate (Apple Cider Vinegar)?

What’s the difference between acetate, acetic acid, and apple cider vinegar?

Acetate, acetic acid, and apple cider vinegar are all closely related. While the differences are minor – mostly related to their chemical makeup – they’re essential to understand. Let’s break it down.

What is acetate?

Acetate is a chemical component found in salts and esters (natural fats and oils). It’s actually a salt itself and plays a role in metabolism, appetite regulation, and the health of your gut lining. Your gut actually produces acetate itself when fermenting fiber, but supplementing these levels can be beneficial.

Be aware, though, that acetate can also refer to a semi-synthetic plastic material often used in fabrics, eyewear frames, and transparent film. And do remember that when Sober Relief refers to acetate, we mean the chemical compound, not the plastic!

What is acetic acid?

As the name suggests, acetic acid is the acid form of acetate. It’s too strong to consume and is only used industrially. It’s actually the active ingredient that gives vinegar its sour and acidic taste. When the body digests acetic acid from other nutritional sources, it turns it into acetate, which can then be used for a wide range of bodily functions. 

What is apple cider vinegar?

As you may have guessed from the above, apple cider vinegar is a type of vinegar made from apples. Sugar from the apples are turned into alcohol and then into acetic acid. The other main components of apple cider vinegar (ACV) are fermented apples and water. ACV also contains beneficial compounds such as potassium, polyphenols, and probiotics.

1. Gut and brain health

Your gut contains plenty of bacteria – some harmful, some healthy! And some of these bacteria are used by your gut to make acetate. In turn, that acetate can be digested and used for a range of bodily functions. 

• Research has shown how acetic acid increases the level of acetate-producing bacteria in our gut microbiome.
  
• Other studies found that acetic acid plays a positive role in a range of gut-related issues, such as preventing constipation, improving intestinal function, and reducing inflammation.

Does acetate affect the gut-brain connection?

In the last couple of years, much has been made about the connection between the brain and the gut. Referred to as the gut-brain axis, there are countless studies that identify how what’s good for the gut is good for the brain. 

In terms of acetate’s role in this, specifically how it impacts the gut-brain axis, it’s all quite scientific. 

At its most simple, short-chain fatty acids like acetate can bind to receptors in the gut, which transmit signals to the brain. Additionally, acetate can also enter the brain via the bloodstream.

That makes acetate a key messenger in the gut-brain axis, allowing it to trigger hormone release and support neurotransmitter production (chemical messengers that allow the brain to communicate with the rest of the body).

Key takeaway:

There are plenty of scientific studies identifying how acetic acid positively affects gut health. While it’s too strong to consume by itself, it’s present in popular nutritional aids like apple cider vinegar. Incorporating these via your supplementation or diet the gut to increase its acetate production and, therefore, improve its ability to function healthily.

2. Energy production

Our gut metabolises acetate to provide our muscles, brain, and other parts of the body with the energy they need to function. Studies have shown that about 7% of the energy humans expend is derived from acetate metabolism! 

While that may seem a small amount, it’s actually a noteworthy contribution to our overall energy. And as acetate can easily cross the blood-brain barrier, unlike other forms of energy, it’s an incredibly useful energy source for the brain. 

Other analysis identified how acetic acid treatment not only provides the muscles with more energy, but caused an increase in muscle fibers on subjects put on an exercise regime. (A quick note, the subjects in that study were mice, not humans!)

Key takeaway:

Acetate is scientifically proven to provide the body with more energy. There’s also wider research which suggest the chemical compound is key for maintaining muscle performance and can result in increases to muscle mass too.

3. Metabolic support and appetite

How well our metabolic system works (and our level of appetite) is directly related to our overall health. Fortunately, acetate plays a role in both. From regulation of our appetite to how well we metabolise fat and produce appetite-suppressing hormones, there’s plenty to get excited about when supplementing acetate.

Here’s a little more on how acetate impacts metabolic health, sourced from scientific studies and peer-reviewed journals.

• A study first published in the journal Nutrients identified how acetate increased the gut hormones GLP-1 and PPY. These are hormones that the gut releases after we eat, which are then sent to the brain to trigger a sense of fullness.
  
• Another study in the same journal identified acetate’s role in regulating body weight. Simply put, the study identified how acetate signals your cells to stop releasing fat into your bloodstream. This helps limit the amount of fat ending up in places it shouldn’t, such as the liver.
  
• The same study showed that acetate helps your body better handle sugar. The research also showed that it makes the body more sensitive to insulin, helping muscles access more glucose and slowing how quickly food leaves your stomach.

Key takeaway:

Acetate plays a key role in how full we feel and how much fat released into our bloodstream. Put simply, this helps reduce cravings and ensures fat doesnt end up where it shouldn’t. 

How can acetate help alcohol withdrawal?

Now that we’ve identified how acetate plays a variety of roles in improving our health, let’s explore how this connects to alcohol withdrawal. 

Can acetate’s impact on gut health support alcohol recovery?

It likely comes as no surprise that gut health plays a role in alcohol recovery. But the science behind the connection goes further than you might expect. 

With heavy alcohol use, our microbiome can be drastically affected. That’s because alcohol kills beneficial bacteria in the stomach and damages intestinal walls, making it harder to absorb nutrients. 

Fortunately, by improving your gut health, you can start to reverse this damage. Additionally, an improved gut microbiome can enhance hormone production and mood, reduce cravings, and support healthier immune function.

Might acetate’s role in energy production help those who want to stop drinking?

Yes, plenty of studies into acetate show it can increase energy production. This suggests it may play a positive role for those in alcohol recovery.

That’s because fatigue and low energy are common symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. So, anything that increases the amount of energy available to the body is likely to help.

Can acetate’s ability to improve metabolic function help those in recovery?

While no specific research has been undertaken into the connection between acetate, metabolic function, and alcohol recovery, there are plenty of positive signals for how acetate may support those in recovery. Crucially, healthy metabolic function is directly related to cravings. The liver, which is often damaged by heavy alcohol use, plays a key role in metabolism.

It’s mostly about how the liver produces and releases glucose into the body. Focusing on metabolic health, therefore, may result in more stable glucose levels. In turn, this can help limit cravings for the sugar that’s contained in alcohol.

Are there any further studies that link acetate to alcohol recovery?

While there are relatively few human studies into acetate and its impact on alcohol recovery, numerous animal studies suggest there’s a very positive relationship.

One landmark study, first published in the journal Life Sciences, showed that acetate supplementation can help reduce shaking and tremors common in alcohol withdrawal.

To test acetate’s impact, researchers first made rats physically dependent on alcohol for 4 days and then withdrew alcohol. After noting the initial reaction, they gave the rats acetate supplements, which reduced tremors and shaking.

This allowed the researchers to recognise that with heavy drinking, the body starts to rely on alcohol as an energy source. When it’s removed, the brain experiences something like an energy crisis as the fuel it most expects is no longer available.

This research was groundbreaking as it showed how alcohol withdrawal isn’t just about chemical dependencies. It’s also about unexpected changes to the type of energy source our bodies are used to.

Acetate – A Summary

Acetate is the key base compound in acetic acid and apple cider vinegar. Its impact on overall health is well documented, with numerous studies pointing to its potential benefits for energy, mood, and gut health.

In terms of alcohol recovery, acetate’s researched impact on cravings and anxiety symptoms suggests it may play a positive role for those looking to stop drinking.

Sources

• PMC (PubMed Central) – Acetic acid increases acetate-producing bacteria
  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10903459/
• NIHR – Linaclotide acetate for treating chronic idiopathic constipation
  https://io.nihr.ac.uk/techbriefings/linaclotide-acetate-for-treating-chronic-idiopathic-constipation/
• PubMed – Improving intestinal function
  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39940357/
• PMC (PubMed Central) – Reducing inflammation
  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3472042/
• PMC (PubMed Central) – Acetate metabolism and energy expenditure
  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7689297/
• Science Direct – Acetate and muscle energy
  https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/acetate
• PubMed – Acetate and gut hormones GLP-1 and PPY
  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31426593/
• MDPI – Nutrients Journal
  https://www.mdpi.com/journal/nutrients
• PMC (PubMed Central) – Acetate’s role in regulating body weight
  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6723943/
• PubMed – Acetate supplementation and alcohol withdrawal tremors
  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7197747/
• Science Direct – Life Sciences Journal
  https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/life-sciences