Apple Cider Vinegar
Health Benefits

Apple Cider Vinegar: Uses, Health Benefits and FAQ

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.
Hair Conditioner
Posted by Barbara (Phoenix, Arizona)
★★★★★

I have been using vinegar once a week for years and years as a hair rinse. It gives my hair the perfect pH balance. As a result, at the ripe old age of 63, I have very thick, healthy, shiny hair. When I tell people about it, they think I am crazy, but it works!! I remember when I was very young, my mom would wash my hair in rain water and then rinse it with vinegar.

I use approximately 1/2 to 3/4 cup vinegar diluted with about 1/2 cup water. I shampoo and rinse first then pour on the vinegar - let it sit about a minute and then rinse out the vinegar and then shampoo again and rinse very well so there is no odor of vinegar. This was even recommended to me by a beautician once, and I hadn't even told her that I was already doing it!! The vinegar also removes all the old shampoo, conditioner, hair spray, etc. build-up in the hair.

High Cholesterol
Posted by Susan (USA)
★★★★★

One reader found success in lowering her high cholesterol by diluting ACV with a small amount of grape juice; she also drinks close to 80 ounces of water daily.

EC: Click here to many more testimonials and remedies to cure high cholesterol!


Making Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Susan (USA)

If you live in a country where apple cider vinegar is difficult to find, try making it at home. Click here for the recipes.


Weight Loss
Posted by Peculiar (Mbale) on 03/12/2023

Thanks. But you really hid part of your remedy. You said B.... ACV. Please what is that B?

EC: Bragg's.


General Feedback
Posted by Mama To Many (Tennessee) on 03/13/2015

Dear Lisa,

I think it is fine to take it straight, but it would be a good idea to rinse out your mouth afterwards. My daughter prefers it straight when she needs it to get it over with.

But you like it and crave it. With something like that, it may be that you need it. While a sugar craving does not mean you need sugar, some cravings, I think, are an indication of a bodily need. My children craved pickles when sick one time. I think it was the vinegar they needed.

~Mama to Many~


Dental Enamel Issues
Posted by Carolina (Chicago) on 03/25/2014

From what I know "acidity of undiluted apple cider vinegar may destroy tooth enamel when sipped orally" and this is exactly what happened to me. Maybe for someone it works, but not for everybody. People like me that have thin teeth do not have a very big tooth enamel cover and it affects it very fast.

Broad Benefits
Posted by Marie (Seattle ) on 11/18/2018

Hi, it sounds like the vinegar you're using is working well. But if you can find raw apple cider vinegar I'd also try that. If not, go with what you can find! ;


ACV and Breastfeeding
Posted by Shazi (Ajman, Dubai) on 06/15/2013

Hi recently I saw this site it impress me a lot and I thought I should aske some question which maked me confuse. I am breast feeding mom ( first baby 2 and half month) I want to start apple cider vinegar for weight lose but vinegar can effect on baby is it good or not?

Gall Bladder Issues
Posted by B (Richmond, Va) on 01/20/2013
★★★★★

I had the worse pain in my life from what they think is gallstones. After listening to an infomercial on you tube it recommended ACV one teaspoon in a glass of Apple juice. After drinking it the pain immediately decreased and in fifteen minutes was completely gone. Best thing ever.


General Feedback
Posted by Timh (Louisville, Ky, Usa) on 10/05/2012 2042 posts

ACV is manufactured in tablet form, availability around the globe I dunno; much more convenient than liquid.


Best Time to Take Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Peter (Perth, Western Australia) on 09/23/2012

Found some ACV today at the supermarket. It is the kind with "mother" in it. Not knowing how much to take I did what the bottle said and threw a couple of tea spoons in a cup with warm water (about 1/3 full) and drank it.

Any reccomendations on how much and when to take it? What is it supposed to do? Mine is the _____ brand and it says 5.6% acidity and says it's organic. Does any of this matter?

Do we need alkalinity or acidity?

Cheers.

How to Take
Posted by Henr (Ny, Ny Usa) on 04/04/2012

THIS IS A GENERAL COMMENT ABOUT DRINKING ACV:

Apple cider vinegar is gross, as any of you who has tried drinking it surely knows. All the posts I have seen say to dilute it with water, but in my opinion that just prolongs the terrible experience of drinking it.

I just tried mixing it with a little bit of cold tonic water (about 1 tsp Apple Cider Vinegar to 2-3 tsp tonic) and found that was much better than still water.

I hope that this doesn't somehow counteract acv's effectiveness, because I've found it to be much less disgusting!


Broad Benefits
Posted by Shari (Cumberland, Va) on 03/16/2012

I want to thank everyone for this site. I just discovered it last week and it is great. I started using ACV and I already see a big difference. My sinuses are better after being awful for over 20 yrs. I have had other symptoms no one could figure out and they haven't returned yet. I am so very thankful to God an to all who help this site. I read lots on this site now. I am telling lots of people about it to.

Recipes
Posted by Anonymous (Grovetown, Ga) on 02/12/2012
★★★★★

Recipe: fill coffee mug w water, warm in microwave, mix in 1 tbsp. Acv, 1tbsp honey, cinnamon and a little nutmeg... Has been 70 degrees in Georgia for most of the winter until last night.... Hot apple cider on a cold night... Very good!

Recipes
Posted by Carly (Seattle, Wa - USA) on 02/12/2012

Hi to Anonymous from Grovetown, Ga - You're recipe sounds great, all except the microwave part. Microwave energy will kill anything beneficial in the food you "nuke". Please web search it. They kill all enzymes in foods. Better to use the stove....

I used to use juices and things to mask the taste of the ACV.... But now I just pour my ACV in a glass (1oz) add BS (1/2 teaspoon) and when the foaming is done, add 10oz water and chug (use a straw for teeth protection). It still tastes kind of bad, but works great. Totally worth it.

Please get rid of the microwave for things like ACV and VCO (my opinion) and you will find they work much better. I believe that others have posted on this in the past as well, so maybe search EC for more info.

Carly :-)


Recipes
Posted by Deb (Brockton, Ma Usa) on 03/25/2012
★★★★★

Sunday, 3/25/12. This is my first day on this web site. I was looking for something for my horrible swollen ankles and lower legs. Not sure if my ankles are gout or just the effects of this salt-a-holic eating too much corned beef for St. Patty's Day (and leftovers). I am amazed at all the things ALC can cure or alleviate. I just tried the apple cider recipe with ACV (an old bottle I had), honey, cinnamon and nutmeg. Delicious. I actually like the taste. I was tempted to drink another glass right away, but decided to spread it out three times a day, morning, noon and night (unless I find another recipe I like then I will alternate).

Thirty minutes after drinking the apple cider, I started feeling more awake and alert. It was affecting something in my brain. Time will tell with some of my other ailments. I have not noticed any bad after effects. The air also feels cooler when I breath, maybe its also affecting my sinuses. In any event, I will continue drinking it and reading some of the other remedies listed on this web site. Who knows, maybe it will change my life for the better and I can shed some of my unwanted pounds. Thank you for your recipe. I have to go to the store and buy a new bottle of ACV, the one I have is pretty old, and some more honey. Great web site.


Acid Reflux
Posted by Curtis (Biloxi) on 01/13/2017

Kelvin. I think you should be adding the raw unfiltered honey with the ACV. I think it's the combination that does the trick. But read more about it. I use ACV and honey and my Acid reflux has gone away.


Recipes
Posted by Alexg (San Antonio, Tx) on 12/21/2011

I drink the apple cider vinegar like a tea... Boil some water w/ a stick of cinnamon and let that steep 20 min, then add ACV, honey and lemon. Makes it taste better! :) And the medicinal properties of cinnamon helps me as well. :)


Hair Conditioner
Posted by Faith (Forest Park, Ohio) on 12/20/2011

Take 1/2 cup of vinegar in an extra large cup, add a pinch of baking soda and let it fizz, then add some hot water, then rinse your hair BUT let it sit on the head for 30 minutes LIKE A CONDITIONER. This will STOP anything and cure it in the scalp! Repeat each time you WASH THE HAIR. I did this for my daughter's whose hair was falling out badly, she now has a full head of hair. The DOCTOR wanted to put her on THREE months of antibiotics..


How to Take
Posted by Lady Day (Somewhere, In) on 12/13/2011
★★★★★

My daughter turned me on to apple cider vinegar (ACV) a while ago. I would like to suggest a WONDERFUL way to consume it. You will look forward to your daily cup if you will try the following:

Add 2 teaspoons of ACV to a hot cup of green tea. I sweeten with Sugar in the Raw (turbinado sugar). Add a couple sticks of cinnamon and voila!

Trust me... (1) cup won't be enough. You 'll think you're drinking apple cider and not only are you getting lots of antioxidants, you're lowering your blood pressure, glucose and acidity.


Recipes
Posted by Billie (Melbourne, Australia) on 12/10/2011

I found the best way to take Apple Cider Vinegar is as follows.. In a large glass add the below then top up with hot water and let it all brew for a few minutes before drinking.
1 tbsp ACV
1 tsp Manuka honey

half lemon squeeze

1 teabag of peppermint

1 teabag of rosehip

I drink it this and have done for abut 5 yrs... even my husband likes it this way and drinks it all winter to avoid getting sick...

I call it my magic long life potion :-)


Broad Benefits
Posted by Anon (Anon) on 10/10/2017

I never dilute it. I scrub my face with baking soda and then rinse with vinegar. My face is pink for a day. LOL! Out darn freckles!


Broad Benefits
Posted by Otterley (West Palm Beach, Fl, Usa) on 09/05/2011
★★★★★

I'm HIV positive and I juice once a day every other day through the week.. This past week I juiced 1 Beet, a small bowl of Kale, and 2-3 Carrots, and some ginger root. I then add almost a half cup of organic Apple Cider Vinegar. ACV cuts out the earthiness of it all. (I've read some studies that say ACV can even lower HIV viral loads! I also LOVE about 3-4 tablespoons of ACV in a nice big cold glass of water.. SO good.. ~

ACV also protects against food poisoning.. I remember my grandmother telling me she knew a man growing up who would take a teaspoon of ACV before every meal. Remembering that, one night not to long ago I was out having a calamari appetizer. It tasted a little funny so I spit it right out. Then I told the waiter to bring me some vinegar as soon as he could.. I then took a teaspoon.. I've had food poisoning from seafood before.. And don't want it ever again.. It's not pretty! Lol


Broad Benefits
Posted by Liz (Boston, Ma) on 05/17/2011

Hi Francisca - Believe me, I am informed and I've tried "something else". I've tried pretty much everything else over the years. ;-)

I didn't advise the other poster to eliminate fats from her diet, as I know they have their place in our overall health. I said that ultimately, it's less calories and more movement that works best. And it does. If someone is eating 2, 000 calories per day (regardless of how many of those calories come from fat) and not exercising, they won't lose weight.

If they lower their calorie intake by even just a few hundred calories per day, which isn't that difficult, and do something as minimal as going for a 10 minute walk every day, they will lose weight. Drop the calories to around 1,200'ish and walk for 20-30 minutes a day and they'll lose it even faster.

As for fat intake, I include it in my diet daily (mostly healthy fats like Omega-3's, olive oil and flaxseed oil), and I typically have a couple of walnuts or a tablespoon of peanut butter on a slice of whole wheat toast.

I never had difficulty losing weight fairly quickly up until around age 45. I went through menopause early (at 42) and woahhh! It is SO much harder to lose weight post-meno. I'd hoped the ACV might help break the cycle - expedite things, but sadly - it did not.

But, as they say - "Getting older isn't for sissies. " I'll SAY! ;-)



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