Associations of Acetic Acid Intake with Protein and Vitamin Intake Estimated via a Food Recording Application

A conventional questionnaire-based assessment of acetic acid intake is based on the intake of seasonings such as mayonnaise, which could thereby lead to an underestimation. We here determine the relationships of acetic acid intake with nutrient intake estimated using a food recording app (Asken) based on meal recipes. A total of 141 individuals (48 men and 93 women) used the app for at least 7 days per month. The mean daily intake of acetic acid was 0.16 ± 0.19 g and the mean frequency of acetic acid intake was 2.77 ± 1.66 days per week. A multivariate regression analysis adjusted for age, sex, BMI, and energy intake revealed that the amount of acetic acid consumed was significantly and positively associated with the intake of protein (11.9 (5.1, 18.6), p < 0.001), cholesterol (80.7 (4.5, 156.9), p = 0.04), and all vitamins except vitamin K. The frequency of acetic acid intake was significantly and positively associated with protein (1.04 (0.20, 1.87), p = 0.015), vitamin B1 (0.3 (0.02,0.5), p = 0.031), niacin (0.5 (0.04,1.0), p = 0.032), and vitamin B12 (0.4 (0.1,0.7), p = 0.002) intake, suggesting that individuals who frequently consume acetic acid tend to consume more protein and some vitamins. Thus, the amount and frequency of acetic acid may reflect protein and vitamin intake.