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.
Broad Benefits
Posted by Melissa (FL) on 06/29/2023
★★★★★

I also experienced a reduction in mucus. Every morning, I would have to spit and clean out my "goopy" ears. After taking 2T ACV and 1 t baking soda in a quart of water morning and night for a couple days, this cleared up completely! My ears have been BAD for a decade (multiple infections and goopiness). My singing voice is so clear, too. I was a bit constipated, so I backed off to 1T ACV, and no baking soda and it is still working like a charm. Wonderful stuff!!


Broad Benefits
Posted by Lidia (Pennsylvania) on 05/19/2017
★★★★★

I started two days ago with ACV a regular bottle by Red & Rose my results starting with a serious rash that hospital thought was a viral infection that was draining me dry. Since I started ACV, I realized I was drinking too much - 1oz in 8oz glass of water. I wanted to dance it made me feel alive again, my mood changed from miserable to extremely happy. My rash is clearing up, and I'm full of energy, I love it! It pumps me up so much my husband tells me to sit down already you've done enough. Lol it also increased sex drive. Now the headaches I've always suffered from I still get and my lymph nodes are still swollen any remedies for that?


Broad Benefits
Posted by Awesome Nana (Chicago, Il) on 10/09/2016
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

I have been using Raw Organic Apple Cider Vinegar for 20 months. My mixture is slightly different - 2 TBL ACV, 1 heaping TBL of Organic Honey & 1.5 C of filtered water heated to melt the honey.

The results are amazing! I no longer need allergy medicine, my knuckles are normal again & not swollen from arthritis, my hiatal hernia is under control, my eye pressure from border line glaucoma dropped from 19 to 15, and best of all, I was diagnosed with invasive lobular carcinoma last year and even though 1 mass was 2.2 cm & the other was 1.5 cm my sentinel lymph nodes were clear!

If I start to feel a cold or sinus problems starting I drink the mixture 3 times a day instead of once in the AM before eating.

I am a true believer in this remedy!


Broad Benefits
Posted by Gina Marie (California ) on 04/01/2016
★★★★★

Raw apple cider vinegar with the mother. I start with 2 tbsp of ACV and 1tsp of raw honey in a cup of hot water. I drink 3-4 cups a day, daily.

This decreases inflammation, pain and you can lose weight. Lowers your cholesterol. Boost your immune system, and flushes your kidneys....etc...


Broad Benefits
Posted by Esther (Texas) on 05/05/2014
★★★★★

I've heard about ACV health benefits about 2 weeks ago; and after doing research about the healing power of ACV, I started taking it. In a matter of less than a week, I feel great relief from pains I use to feel on and off with my insides. I used to feel pain on my knees, and it's gone. I also felt some pains in my heart and that is gone, too. I also don't feel hungry at night anymore like I used to. I am feeling good at 66 yrs old. Before I started with ACV, I've changed my way of eating already-- I do juicing, eat salads and fruits, some fish and lean meat and chicken, stopped eating wheat products, sugar laden foods. I've also changed my sleeping habits and been getting at least 7 hours at the most of sleep, which helps a lot.

But when I added ACV in my health regimen, totally all the pain I suffered from in my lifetime seems to disappear. I drink warm water with lemon in the morning; then after 30 minutes, I follow it with a glass of water, raw honey and unpasteurized Apple Cider Vinegar and has some of my veggie/fruit/seeds fresh juice.

I've noticed that my BP has been controlled. I'm hoping that it will show lower readings in the months ahead with ACV intakes. I take it 2 to 3 times a day, sometimes a tablespoon of it followed by drinking water. As early as two weeks of taking ACV, I can feel a big change and difference in my body fully enhanced by ACV. I do some moderate treadmill workouts; but the real promise of good health is really from nutrition. It is true that we are what we eat. If I am mindful of what I put in my body, there's a chance I may not need any medications in the later years of my life. I don't take any prescription meds at all except my herbal sleep aid. I may not use it anymore either, as I've read ACV can help with sleep also. A miracle cure that I did not realize I have in my pantry!


Broad Benefits
Posted by Rosie Q. (Santa Cruz Ca) on 12/30/2013
★★★★★

I just wanted to share this little bit of info in case anyone else has a similar experience.

One year ago when my roommates were swearing by ACV as a cure all I figured what the heck- so I tried it and immediately got a TERRIBLE headache and some itchiness on my forearms, I was devastated and thought I was deathly allergic to this liquid that I had high hopes for.

Rhe next time I went and saw my acupuncturist he randomly recommended I try Apple Cider Vinegar and I told him I couldn't because I was allergic to it. He let me know that what I was experiencing was a detox sign and that it was actually a good thing. I was still quite scared of it but eventually (maybe a month later) tried it again out of desperation.

This time I drank it and had a mild headache but within 2 days noticed my sinuses clearing up, better sleep at night, and more energy during the day. (and no crazy itchiness on my forearm! )

Today I drink it all day long, I no longer need to dilute it in juice, I just drink it with water, stevia and lemon. I love the energy it gives me and I literally CRAVE it now, I very rarely drink plain water- just this and fresh juice.

The Apple Cider Vinegar along with dietary changes has helped with a number of issues, such as PCOS, allergies, acne, low energy and poor sleep to name a few. - I actually use it as a toner for my acne too- I mix water lemon and Apple Cider Vinegar together in a bottle and put it on a cotton pad which I wipe my face with, this is going to sound weird, I use it as a deodorant (cotton ball, and add lime if you have some) and hair conditioner also. (you can find amazing tonic recipes online for rosemary and thyme and Apple Cider Vinegar hair rinses- yummy) and to think the first time I used it I thought I was allergic! I love this stuff geez I even clean with it sometimes, the list goes on!

I wanted anyone on here to know, that if you have a bad experience with it the first time, to not give up hope. maybe try it again later if you feel up to it. ` peace and love`


Broad Benefits
Posted by Rama (Bangalore India) on 08/08/2013
★★★★★

I have been reading everything in this site for quite some time. And I have also read many people enquiring about the benefits of using Filtered, clear, ACV like the one from American Garden, for in India, we only findthis type of ACV, and the other one is the same type from Heinz, which more expensive than the American Garden.

I have also read elsewhere, that it doesn't really matter whether it is filtered or raw, the benefits would be more or less the same.

I have been using 1 and half tsp to 2 tsps daily three times a day before my meals. I found it went well with watery butter milk, for I could not like the taste of it with any other liquids. So I have 1 glass of thin, low fat butter milk three times a day before each meal with 2 tsps of ACV, I have not started to add the baking soda, but can add it if it is supposed to be more beneficial. I am using ACV for various reasons, for my weight loss (because of my menopause), my hair, my skin, and for one or two side effects of menopause. I have been using American Garden's all natural ACV(it does not have the mother) for the last two months without any side effects. But I have not lost weight, which I know will take time, but I have noticed my skin glowing(people have complemented me), the pigmentation marks are slowly fading, my hair is improving, my dry eyes are feeling lot better etc. So all good things only. I also drink it with a straw.

Another thing I noticed is that instead of feeling full, I feel like having something to eat at other times, but not during the meal times. I am also a fitness instructor and love exercising, I do exercise for minimum2 to 2 and half hours, not in one stretch, but in a day. And I exercise 5 days in a week. I know, that too much exercise also will trigger some hormones which might defeat my purpose to lose weight for intead of losing weight I would only be putting on weight or might just remain the same, but I just love exercising.

So tell me does it really make a big difference whether ones uses alll natural American Garden ACV or only Braggs raw ACV? And making this at home is a big hassle. I would request you to post your reply to my email: rama.ananth (at) gmail (dot) com.

Thank you very much.


Broad Benefits
Posted by Tim (Pittsfield, Ma) on 01/28/2012
★★★★★

I had real bad acid reflux and heartburn I was taking two prilosec otc tabs a day! But still had that gnawing little pain rigth below the esophagus.. Then I tried ACV 4tbls a day mixed with water cured it all!! No more prilosec!!! AVC also cured my athletes feet and kept my feet much dryer. I'm a true believer!!


Broad Benefits
Posted by Diana (Norfolk, Virginia) on 12/07/2011
★★★★★

I'm a 45 year old female, and have been taking two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar after breakfast and dinner for over a week now, and it seems to be helping with fluid retention ( keeping the fluids, not getting rid of them ) which seems to be helping the sinus pain from inflammation, which NOTHING was helping. And it's DEFINITELY helping with the heart burn-like stomach pains that kept me from sleeping. I pour it in a small measuring cup and nock it back like a shot of tequila. Not my favorite flavor, and it burns a slight bit going down, but after that, I'm a happy, painless camper! I haven't noticed any other benefits yet, but I haven't been looking out for any. For my two main concerns, I'm a convert and true believer!


Broad Benefits
Posted by Violeta (Skopje, Macedonia) on 09/22/2011
★★★★★

Just to Share my experience with Apple Vinegar.

* My 8 year old son got eczema on his bought hands. I didn't try anything else so I went direct to Earth clinic web site as usually. I sprayed ACV without solution on his hands. Yes, it does burn at first, but this pain goes quickly. But he did it. In two days the eczema is completely gone from his hands.

* I used ACV for my cystitis. It was a difficult, with pain and blood. I couldn't walk, work from pain. The next day after ACV I felt healthy, I could work and be normal. I felt still some pain but the pain was not killing pain. The second day the pain is gone. The next month I had a pain to hold the urine longer. So I was running immediately to toilet because of this pain. After this month I have no any kind of pain.

* My son got some bacteria in his bladder. That made him to go to the toilet every minute but there was nothing to urine. With ACV is supper.

* I am using ACV as a cosmetic, lotion for may face skin. After ACV I put on my face skin coconut oil. ACV make the skin whiter and smooth.


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 Xavier (Queens, Ny) on 08/28/2011
★★★★★

ACV is a great weight loss treatment. Don't expect the weight to fall off right away. You still have to eat right and get the exercise in. ACV does help on warts and boils. Take it internally and externally for best results. a little tumeric, oregano oil and tea tree oil does wonders as well.


Broad Benefits
Posted by Sheila (San Diego, Ca, Usa) on 05/18/2011
★★★★★

For Staceybrister from Vancouver,

There is a difference taste, imo, the ACV has a milder taste and rarely does the scent/fumes go up my nose when I drink it, compared to the distilled Heinz vinegar which has always given me a 'kick' and once I developed a headache from it, I stopped and switched to the ACV. You also have more nutritional benefits from the ACV. You can certainly Google for a list of ACV benefits, and come up with a lot of info. HTH.


Broad Benefits
Posted by Stacy (East Hartford, Connecticut, Us) on 05/15/2011
★★★★★

I started using ACV about 4 weeks ago. I started using it for weight loss, and to help my menstral flow. I didn't know if there was a specific kind I had to buy, so I just bought the store brand. I drank it for 3 weeks, and nothing seemed to change! So I googled it, and saw that it was supossed to help with a number of different things (which it wasn't). Then I saw that it was best to use organic ACV with "the mother" in it, so I went right out and bought 2 big bottles (this was 1 week ago). Within 3 days, I noticed changes! I had so much more energy!

I am 26 with 4 children, so I am very drained all the time. I never want to do anything with my children (i.e. Take them to the park) because I am always so tired! But since have been drinking the organic ACV, we have went for walks, I've taken them to the park, and we even went in our own backyard and ran around (which we never do)! I am so much more pleased with my energy level!

The 2nd change was my skin. I never had acne, but I always had these little bumps on my chin, upper cheeks, and especially my forehead! Like I said before, I have been drinking the organic ACV for a week, and my skin feels like the skin of a baby!!!! No more little bumps, they have all vanished!

The 3rd change is my menstral flow. I hadn't gotten it for 2 months, so that is one of the reasons I originally started drinking ACV. Nothin happened with the store brand, but once I started using the organic, IT CAME!!!!!!! And I didn't get a single cramp!!!! It was like a miracle!

The final change was my stomach. All my life (before I had my children), I was 110 lbs and a size 1. I went up to a size 5 after having my 2nd child, and a size 7 after my 3rd. I was ok with that, but it was my 4th that I really gained!! After my 4th, I was a size 13/14 and 178 lbs!!!!!! My stomach was nowhere near being flat! Since I started the organic ACV, I have dropped a pant size! I am now in an 11/12! And my stomach has went down drastically!! Don't get me wrong, it is definitely not like it was after my 2nd or 3rd child, but I will say it's close! I have not weighed myself because I want to wait a few weeks. I want to see a double digit weight loss rather than a single digit. All in all, I am completely satisfied with using organic ACV wth "the mother" in it, and I would recommend it to anyone having any of the problems I had! Thanks Earth Clinic!!


Broad Benefits
Posted by Calvintage (San Diego, Ca) on 04/13/2011
★★★★★

I have used ACV for a nasty sinus infection, cleared it up wonderfully so that I didn't have to use antibiotics. I have used it while pregnant and breastfeeding to improve my recovery time with a cold, or to avoid getting one while my children had one.

I have used it for the same reasons for the children, as young as 3... A small amount 1/2 tsp to 1 tsp, with plenty of honey in hot water... If I give them a straw they will drink it up and are now used to it.

I used it also for my 3 year old's eczema. She had a mild case, on legs, from 9 months - 3 years. I just put it on with a cotton swab, maybe I put a bandage over, I forget. She said it stings, but a few minutes after, it would stop itching. I think it was gone in 3 days and never came back.

I also want to say I have taken it while breastfeeding with no noticeable difference in my baby's burpiness or spitting up or fussiness. I have been cautious not to take it to frequently in case it effects the amount of milk I make, or makes me lose weight, which I don't want to do while nursing.

I also have taken it daily when not nursing as an energy drink. (hot with honey) It works as well as coffee but without the jitters.

I also have used it on a cotton swab on my face, makes it glow! I told that to my sister who had been getting expensive acne medication, she stopped using that when she found how good ACV works on her skin... She has been using it now for over a year with excellent results. I love ACV!



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