Evidence supporting the use of: Acetic acid
For the health condition: Body Odor

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Acetic acid, commonly found in vinegar (especially apple cider vinegar), has been utilized for managing body odor due to its antimicrobial properties. Scientific evidence supports its ability to decrease the growth of odor-causing bacteria on the skin. Sweat itself is odorless, but when it interacts with bacteria on the skin’s surface, it can produce unpleasant odors. Acetic acid, being a weak acid, lowers the skin pH and makes the environment less hospitable for these bacteria. Several in vitro studies have demonstrated that acetic acid is effective at inhibiting the growth of Corynebacterium and Staphylococcus species, both of which are implicated in body odor formation (Kubo et al., 2012).

While there are no large-scale clinical trials specifically evaluating topical acetic acid for body odor in humans, its antibacterial action is well-documented, and it is a component in several over-the-counter products aimed at odor control. The evidence is thus moderate, based mostly on laboratory research and small human studies, but is sufficient to justify its use from a scientific standpoint.

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