Abstract
(1) Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar
- Promote digestion
- Loosen fat
- Fatigue-fighting
- Prevent osteoporosis
(2)Apple cider vinegar is ideal for various supplement forms:
- Pills: Convenient, standardized doses.
- Tablets: Larger, multi-ingredient formulations.
- Gummies: Popular for those avoiding pills.
- Powder: Mixes into drinks/foods. Used for daily health and weight management.
(3)Apple Cider Vinegar: Market Prospects and Advantages
- Growing Global Demand: Apple cider vinegar supplements are increasingly popular worldwide, particularly in health-conscious markets like the USA, Canada, UK, Australia, and Japan.
- Multiple Health Benefits: Known for aiding digestion, supporting weight loss, regulating blood sugar, and boosting immunity, apple cider vinegar appeals to a wide range of health needs.
- High Consumer Acceptance: With various forms like gummies and softgels, apple cider vinegar supplements are convenient and palatable, making them highly accepted by diverse age groups and supported by strong scientific research.
(4)Extraction Methods
- Traditional Fermentation: Two-stage process involving yeast for alcohol fermentation and acetic acid bacteria for vinegar fermentation.
- Sequential Fermentation: Uses lactic acid bacteria first, followed by yeast, to produce vinegar rich in B vitamins.
- Advanced Fermentation: Uses plant-based Lactobacillus for higher B vitamin content and better flavor profile.
Article Content
Apple cider vinegar is a vinegar with ester and fruity aroma made from apple raw materials through alcohol fermentation and acetic acid fermentation. It has many physiological health functions shared by apples and vinegar because it contains vitamins, pectin, organic acids, amino acids and other nutrients in apples and vinegar. Modern scientific research has found that apple cider vinegar has antibacterial, anti-fatigue, blood sugar and blood pressure regulation, appetite promotion and calcium absorption, and prevention of osteoporosis and arteriosclerosis. The global apple cider vinegar market is also showing a growth trend. The global market size will reach US$10.56 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 5.7% from 2024 to 2032.
1. Health Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar
A.Promote digestion
Apple cider vinegar helps promote digestion, detoxify and lose weight. Since apple cider vinegar contains a large variety of acidic components, it can promote gastrointestinal motility, thereby regulating intestinal digestion and promoting digestion. For those who occasionally suffer from indigestion, drinking apple cider vinegar in moderation may help relieve symptoms such as bloating and constipation. In addition, apple cider vinegar can help the body excrete toxins, coordinate endocrine, and prevent hyperlipidemia.
B.Fat loss
The acetic acid component in apple cider vinegar can slow down the emptying time of the stomach, help stabilize blood sugar levels, and reduce hunger. Apple cider vinegar may help activate the AMPK enzyme, an enzyme that promotes fat burning and reduces fat and sugar production in the liver. Some studies have shown that apple cider vinegar may help improve insulin sensitivity, thereby lowering blood sugar and insulin levels and reducing fat accumulation. Apple cider vinegar can help digestion, improve gastrointestinal function, help digestion and absorption of food, and reduce fat accumulation.
C.Anti-fatigue
Organic acids in apple cider vinegar, such as acetic acid, can promote sugar metabolism in the human body and help decompose fatigue substances (such as lactic acid and acetone) in muscles, thereby reducing fatigue. Nutrients such as pectin, vitamins, minerals, and enzymes, which can quickly provide energy to the body and help eliminate fatigue. The malic acid in apple cider vinegar can promote ammonia metabolism, reduce blood ammonia concentration, have a protective effect on the liver, and help relieve fatigue caused by ammonia accumulation.
D.Prevent osteoporosis
The acid in apple cider vinegar can help dissolve insoluble calcium in food and convert it into an ionic state that is more easily absorbed by the human body, thereby facilitating calcium absorption. Apple cider vinegar contains some minerals that are beneficial to bone health, such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, etc. These minerals have a positive effect on maintaining bone strength and density, and vitamins and antioxidant active substances help reduce oxidative stress and protect bones from free radical damage.
2. Market Prospects
As a natural health product, the demand for apple cider vinegar is growing rapidly worldwide. Its versatile health benefits make it popular in various supplement forms.
Due to its wide range of application scenarios and multiple dosage forms, apple cider vinegar supplements have great potential in the health, weight loss, digestive health and immune support markets.
Advantages
- Versatility: Apple cider vinegar has a variety of health benefits, such as promoting digestion, supporting weight loss, regulating blood sugar and improving immunity.
- High consumer acceptance: Gummy and soft capsule forms are particularly popular and suitable for consumers of different ages.
- Natural ingredients: As a natural ingredient, apple cider vinegar caters to the current consumer preference for natural and organic products.
- Scientific support: A growing number of studies support the health benefits of apple cider vinegar, which has boosted consumer confidence.
These benefits have made apple cider vinegar a popular supplement ingredient, especially in the following countries:
- USA: Apple cider vinegar supplements are very popular in the United States, especially in the health and weight loss market.
- Canada: The market for apple cider vinegar supplements in Canada is also growing rapidly, with consumers increasing their demand for natural health products.
- UK: Apple cider vinegar products are also gaining popularity in the UK, especially among consumers who are concerned about health and weight loss.
- Australia: Apple cider vinegar is also in high demand in Australia, especially in the health food and supplement sector.
- Japan: Apple cider vinegar supplements are becoming popular in the Japanese market, as interest in natural and functional foods increases.
In China, apple cider vinegar is also gaining acceptance among consumers. China's national standard GB/T 30884-2014 "Apple Cider Vinegar Drinks" was issued on September 30, 2014 and officially implemented on April 1, 2015. The standard clearly defines apple cider vinegar beverages and the raw apple cider vinegar used in their production, and specifies the process and characteristic indicators of raw apple cider vinegar used in the production process, including the specifications of the fermentation base material, and the content and composition of organic acids. It also sets requirements for the amount of raw apple cider vinegar and apple juice in processed products, stipulating that the amount of raw apple cider vinegar in apple cider vinegar beverages shall not be less than 5%, and the amount of apple juice added shall not exceed 30%. It also sets limits on total acid, malic acid, citric acid, lactic acid, free mineral acid, etc., to ensure that the product meets certain quality standards.
3. Product Application
As a popular ingredient, apple cider vinegar is suitable for the following supplement dosage forms:
A. Pill
The tablet form is suitable for standard doses of apple cider vinegar extract, which is easy to carry and take. NOW Foods, Swanson, Bragg, Nature's Truth, Puritan's Pride, Nature's Bounty and other brands offer Apple Cider Vinegar Pills for blood sugar management and antioxidants.
B. Tablets
Tablets are usually larger than pills and are suitable for containing more active ingredients or complex formulas. Nature's Life, Solaray, Holland & Barrett's Apple Cider Vinegar Tablets are used to promote metabolism and improve heart health.
C. Gummy
Gummy forms are popular, especially for people who don't like sour taste or swallowing pills. There are many companies that make Apple Cider Vinegar Gummies, such as Goli. And Nutreebio has also launched a new apple cider vinegar gummy to support the immune system and energy levels.
D. Powder
Powder forms can be mixed into drinks or food and are suitable for a variety of applications. Apple Cider Vinegar Powder is used for daily health maintenance and weight loss plans.
Apple cider vinegar is used in different areas. At present, the apple cider vinegar industry in many Asian countries is mainly divided into two categories: apple cider vinegar condiments and apple cider vinegar beverages. In 2020, Coca-Cola and Pepsi joined the fruit vinegar beverage market and launched Minute Maid Apple Cider Vinegar Beverage and "Vinegar Language" fruit vinegar sparkling beverage respectively. In addition to using 100% apple juice for fermentation, Minute Maid Apple Cider Vinegar Beverage also incorporates elements such as bubbles, low sugar, and zero fat in product design. In 2021, Uni-President launched A-Ha fermented juice sparkling water, which has two flavors: lemon and apple. The product attributes are positioned as fermented beverages, marked with zero fat, real juice, and no phosphoric acid, and mainly focus on scenes such as catering parties and outdoor travel.
In Europe and the United States and other regions, people have become accustomed to eating apple cider vinegar as an acidic condiment. Studies have shown that consumers associate apple cider vinegar with weight management (43%), digestion and intestinal health (36%), blood sugar management (33%), and promoting heart health and lowering cholesterol. The health function is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, making apple cider vinegar beverages abroad synonymous with healthy beverages. In developed countries such as Europe, America, and Japan, fruit vinegar drinks have accounted for 50% of the total vinegar consumption. The per capita vinegar consumption in Japan is 1.8 kg/year, in the United States it is 1.4 kg/year, and in China the per capita annual consumption of vinegar is only 0.2 kg. Therefore, if domestic apple cider vinegar wants to develop further, in addition to innovations in fermentation technology and product types, it is also necessary to actively promote fruit vinegar products, especially to strengthen consumer education. The participation of beverage giants can help apple cider vinegar drinks quickly open up the market, and the maturity of the marketing system can also cultivate the market for apple cider vinegar drinks.
4. Current status of production technology
The traditional production method of apple cider vinegar usually involves two fermentation processes. First, apple juice is fermented with yeast for alcohol and converted into apple cider. Then, apple cider is fermented with acetic acid by acetic acid bacteria and converted into apple cider. In the alcohol fermentation stage of apple cider vinegar fermentation, lactic acid bacteria and yeast inoculated at the same time will inhibit each other's growth. The alcohol produced by yeast will inhibit the growth of lactic acid bacteria. In addition, lactic acid bacteria compete with yeast in the utilization of nutrients in the early stage of growth, which will slow the growth of lactic acid bacteria in the early stage, thereby reducing the production of water-soluble vitamin B in apple cider vinegar.
5. Introduction to technical achievements
This technology screened a plant lactobacillus that can ferment and produce apple cider vinegar rich in water-soluble vitamin B from the strains preserved in the laboratory, and adjusted the fermentation process to provide a multi-strain fermented apple cider vinegar rich in water-soluble vitamin B and a preparation method thereof. The lactic acid bacteria that can produce high-yield water-soluble vitamin B and the multi-strain sequential inoculation fermentation process are used. In the alcohol fermentation stage of apple cider vinegar, lactic acid bacteria are first inoculated and fermented for 24 hours, and then yeast is inoculated and fermented for 120 hours. The brewing yeast and lactic acid bacteria are separated in the early stage of fermentation by using a multi-strain sequential inoculation fermentation process. The lactic acid bacteria grow first, followed by the yeast that is inoculated to grow slowly, and ferment rapidly in the slightly acidic environment produced by the lactic acid bacteria fermentation, so that the yeast, lactic acid bacteria and acetic acid bacteria can better coordinate the growth and fermentation, and finally obtain apple vinegar rich in water-soluble vitamin B.
Conclusion
This technology uses plant lactobacillus, which has a high yield of water-soluble vitamin B, to participate in the fermentation of apple vinegar with obvious fruity aroma, bright aroma, clean and refreshing taste, rich nutrients, mellow flavor, and sour taste. It is a fruit vinegar product with good taste and nutritional and health effects.
