The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Kelitababy (Yucaipa, Ca, Usa) on 10/10/2012
★☆☆☆☆WARNING!
I had heard how beneficial ACV was for acid reflux and other things, so I bought bottle from a health food store, went out to my car, opened it up and took a big swig. Disaster struck, I couldn't breath, the strong fumes from undiluted ACV force the epiglottis to close and I could not breath, I thought I was going to die right there, but finally recovered. Lesson learned.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Nat (Bridgewater, Va) on 05/03/2012
★☆☆☆☆
Nay - every time I have tried ACV for my acid reflux, I have experienced no benefit, and often gotten additional heartburn as a result.
I know some people believe that acid reflux is due to a deficiency of stomach acid, but that does not seem to be the case for me. Pouring acid (ACV) on top of acid made little sense to me from the start and did not work in my case.
Omeprazole and the occassional Tums are the only things that control it.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Nannapower07 (Lexington, Sc) on 03/17/2012
★☆☆☆☆
I am having some severe symptoms and Lung Dr says it is reflux. However I took Protonix and my tongue was a bit swollen so he put me on Nexium and I had the same thing happen. So I cannot take prescription medicines. I am having severe shortness of breath when I talk or move around at all. I have to lay back down for an hour or so to calm it back down. Burning in my chest as well. Feels like someone is tightening my chest like suffocating. I tried ACV and it burned worse than ever. I am going to try Aloe Vera Juice now. Something has got to calm this down I have never had something this bad before. Any other advice? I have had no tests for H. Pilori or anything like that. He tested my Lungs and the ER tested my heart and it was both perfect.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Tom (Wolverhampton, Uk) on 02/26/2012
★☆☆☆☆
Apple Cider Vinegar for Acid Reflux: I have recently come across the Earth Clinic website and was pretty well excited at the prospect of finding a remedy for acid reflux that I have endured for years. I purchased the Apple Cider Vinegar and used the suggested dosage, 2 tablespoons with 1/4 teaspoon of Bicarb Of Soda in a glass of warm water. This was taken 1hr before a meal 3 times a day. After 3 days the acid reflux has become more pronounced both day and night.
I have taken different prescribed medicines in the past and they haven't worked. I had a gastroscope check done and nothing wrong was found. The whole experience has attempted to make me miserable but I have resisted that and endeavoured to find a solution. I was hopeful for this ACV remedy to work but after 3 days of trying it out, the symptoms have become slightly worse. Each night I waken after 2 hours sleep having been disturbed by the acid reflux. Sometimes I experience an associated high temperature and sweat.
Can any one offer me any advice for my situation. I would be most grateful. Thanks, Tom
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Dottie (Lakeville, Ma.) on 02/24/2011
★☆☆☆☆
I just started consuming raw apple cider vinegar for reflux and wondered what the difference is from using regular acv. It has been three weeks and I don't see any change. I take it 2 times a day.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Goofygirlz (Lewiston, Maine) on 12/19/2009
★☆☆☆☆
ACV does not work at all for me. in fact in burned the whole way down. Then i got fizzy bubbles up my throat. an hour later i was sick and throwing up. continuously until all the fizz in my stomach was gone.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Dan (Washington, DC) on 09/24/2008
★☆☆☆☆
Huge NAY for Apple Cider Vinegar to treat Acid Reflux. I tried it after reading the site. The cider hurt my stomach and made my symptoms much worse It kept me up until 3am. Tread carefully.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Kevin (Surprise, Arizona) on 09/14/2008
★☆☆☆☆
I tried straight Apple Cider Vinager once as a preventive measure and it actually started an Acid Reflux attack. Not sure about Baking soda plan on trying that and apples for a quick fix next.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Laura (Calgary, Canada) on 04/24/2008
★☆☆☆☆
Hi, I have been suffering with reflux for almost 4 months now, and I feel I have tried almost everything. I read on this site that ACV was a miracle, so yesterday I went out and bought some from my local health food store and tried it. I have never had such severe reflux as after I took the ACV, and the night time was even worse! I am still suffering today, and now have a pain in my stomach that I haven't felt in over a week. I am glad that this remedy gives so many people relief, but if you are trying it for the first time, please be careful. I used 2 tablespoons in 250ml of water, but I would suggest maybe halfing the ACV and doubling the water the first time, just to be sure you don't have the same reaction I did! I have heard good things about ginger juice for ulcers and reflux though, has anyone tried it and was it successful? Thanks!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Sriram (Thrissur, INDIA) on 02/16/2008
★☆☆☆☆
After reading so much of positive feedback regarding ACV on this website, I decided to give it a try. I mixed one teaspoonful of ACV into half a glass of water. Hardly had I gulped down one mouthful of this liquid, I suddenly developed a Very Severe Acid Reflux and unbearable smarting pain in the throat. I felt as if my mouth, throat, stomach all were on fire. I was literally shrieking with pain and running and hopping all over the place. I had to take tons of allopathic medicines to get over this Acid Reflux episode (which didn't seem to go away that easily). After this incident, I vowed to never again touch ACV all my life! I am surprised how so many people seem to be using ACV for, among other things - Acid Reflux!!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by James (Houston, TX) on 01/18/2008
★☆☆☆☆
Hi I have occasional acid refulx and my wife has it severe at times. DO NOT TAKE ACV for Acid Reflux! It just doesn't make any sense. Acid Reflux is an Acid - you neutralize Acids with Bases (Alkaline).
pH less than 7 = Acidic, pH > 7 = Basic (Alkaline). Vinegar pH = 3ish
An antacid is any substance, generally a base, which counteracts stomach acidity. In other words, antacids are stomach acid neutralizers. I truly believe that adding an ACID to your stomach to reduce Stomach Acid is the wrong approach. You should add a BASE like baking soda. Rolaids & Tums are both Calcium Carbonate. Alka-Seltzer is Soduim BiCarbonate. Baking Soda = Sodium BiCarbonate. In the duodenum, gastric acid is neutralized by sodium bicarbonate. So Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda) is used internally by the body to naturally regulate stomach Acid. The equation is HCl NaHCO3 → NaCl H2CO3. HCL = HydroChloric (Stomach) acid
NaHC03 = Baking Soda.
Just add a little bit of baking soda to some water, swirl it around, and drink it. Within a few minutes you will belch. The belch is the gas released when the baking soda neutralizes your stomach acid (or if its crept into your throat it will neutralize it there). You will feel much better immediately. Baking Soda is completely safe.
Why would you ever want to add an acid (vinegar) to another acid (HCL) with the hopes of reducing acid? That doesn't make any sense.
Vinegar is acetic acid (CH3COOH). Some of these recipies recommend you add Baking Soda to ACV. When vinegar is added to sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), it produces a volatile mixture of carbonic acid rapidly decomposing into water and carbon dioxide bubbles, making the reaction "fizz". It is exemplified as the typical acid-base reaction in school science experiments. The salt that is formed is sodium acetate. Basically, this little experiment proves that its better to just take baking soda. The Vinegar is the acid and the Baking Soda is the base. The Baking Soda neutralizes the acid. Its the same way in your stomach, just add the Baking Soda and it will neutralize the acid. All you need is about a teaspoon of baking soda in an ounce or two of water. Problem solved immediately.
Good luck and I hope this helps.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Rachel (Chicago, IL) on 12/26/2007
★☆☆☆☆
I have some questions. I have acid reflux. I am also a singer so this is a curse. I have been trying the acv for nearly a week now (despite the awful taste) and hoping for a miracle. How long does it take to see results? I have been diluting it in cranberry juice and taking 2 TB 2x daily. If anyone has any ideas to improve the taste, by all means. It is really hard to swallow this stuff. I gag each time. Also, is adding the baking soda dangerous for people with high blood pressure? I have read pickle juice is also effective for people. Has anyone (particularily singers) had any luck with this? Are the health benefits the same for white vinegar and acv? Any info provided would be much appreciated.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Daniella (Palm Springs, CA) on 06/08/2007
★☆☆☆☆
I read that many people have used ACV for their acid reflex, but in my case I seem to get the worst acid after I eat vinegar or any acidic food. Right now I have a bad acid burn.I'm tired of all the digestive enzymes I buy --useless. Any help for my problem is appreciated. Thanks.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Don (Los Angeles, CA) on 03/03/2007
★☆☆☆☆
I have tried acv for about three weeks now with little success. I had a problem last night. When I use an extra pillow it seems to work but forgot to last night. I also have arthritis and acv mixed with raw honey has helped so much I have stopped taking syn-flex, a remedy with unknown side affects. I will try the acidophilus. Thanks
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Tracia (Kentucky) on 08/03/2006
★☆☆☆☆
I tried ACV and it gave me the absolute worst heartburn and pain I've ever felt in my life. I began vomiting in a few minutes and now my heartburn is just SO awful. It is never this bad. I wish I had not done it.
