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 Myrna (Pasig, Philippines) on 02/12/2011
★★★★★

For years I have problem w/ my bowel movement and experience constipation for years. After doing some research about ACV I tried taking it first thing in the morning when my stomach is empty 1tbsp ACV and 1 tbsp honey after several days I notice that I have my bowel movement regularly my acid influx is gone and my stomach is no longer bloated compared before. Thanks for the stuff. I use organic ACV with the mother. I hope it can help some who have problems the same as me.

Recipes
Posted by Fitness Funatic (Hohenwald, TN) on 01/21/2011

I have recently found Apple cider vinegar to be a great "dressing" on my lunch salad. I simply pour 2-3 T apple cider vinegar on the vegetable salad and toss to coat all ingredients before leaving for work in the morning. I seal my salad in an air tight container and pop in the frig when I get to work. Because I need a little sodium in my diet, I sprinkle ever so lightly with sea salt when I make it, and it's scrumptious at lunch! For those trying to follow a plant-based diet, it really adds a little pizzazz to those raw veggies. Enjoy!


ACV and Pregnancy
Posted by Jen (South Jordan, Utah) on 10/10/2011
★★★★★

Glad I have it now. Thanks. I have been looking for a painkiller/anti-inflammatory that is safe for pregnancy. I am so glad I found ACV.


Fungus
Posted by Teresa (Grand Valley, Ontario Canada) on 12/22/2010
★★★★★

Does anyone know if ACV will help ingrown toenails either by drinking it or by soaking feet in it? I am currently taking it for bronchitis and have noticed that my toenail fungus is disappearing. My son has terrible problem with ingrown toenails. Thanks. Teresa


Apple Cider Vinegar and Honey
Posted by Rsvp2244 (Cuyahoga Falls, Oh) on 12/17/2010

I take 1 tsp ACV and 1 tsp honey daily. I do not add water, just mix the two and down it goes. Could this be hurting me in some way?

ACV Rash
Posted by Carol (Tucson, Az) on 12/02/2010

I've been taking ACV with the Mother for about two months. 2 tablespoons in 4oz of water, 2x/per day. For the last 2-4 weeks I've noticed a slightly raised/slightly rough circular rash on the leftside of my body about the size of a quarter. Mostly on the left cheek on my bum & left thigh. Lately I've noticed these same circular rashes about the size of a dime on my chest & neck. I've heard of the Healing Crisis, meaning that my body is releasing toxins through my skin but yikes! Has anyone experienced a rash breakout after taking ACV for a length of time?

ACV Rash
Posted by Mmsg (Somewhere, Europe) on 12/03/2010

Take less and more diluted.


ACV Rash
Posted by Jeff (Nashville, Tn) on 12/03/2010

Hi Carol,
The same thing happened to me after about 6 months of ACV. I originally thought it was a scrape from moving tree branches, but when it did not heal I thought ringworm. Tried everything and it got worse and I noticed new small patches(20-25)forming on my body. Turns out to be Pityriasis rosea. Look this up.
I also wondered if the detox process of ACV may have triggered this. If yes, so be it. I will always have ACV in my life and have lost 15 lbs without even trying! As far as the Pityriasis rosea, all you can do is stay clean, cool, and dry. (G--- Bond Powder seems to help) It will eventually start SLOWLY fading away.


ACV Rash
Posted by Misha (Binghamton, New York) on 04/03/2011

I am absolutely shocked to read this post! Years ago in college I came down with the Pityriasis Rosea rash. I was told that this condition rarely reoccurs. However, when taking apple cider vinegar for about a month, again I had the unsightly, very uncomfortable Pityriasis Rosea condition again! I am thinking that this might be some sort of healing crisis.


ACV Rash
Posted by Larry (Fairfax, Va) on 07/28/2013

Your skin rashes may have been caused by excessive amount of toxins released into the body when the ACV may have inadvertently too quickly killed-off a large amount of bacteria or fungus; this is known as the Herxheimer reaction. I have had this type of thing happen to me recently.


Energy
Posted by Merryanne (Orange City, Florida, Usa) on 11/13/2010 113 posts

Well, Mrs Spiceitup in TN, Well I want to say something cute but just keep up with hubby and pray for your lonely, single sisters in Christ here in FL, and I must agree that ACV is good for you, and a lot can be said for that clean, farm living, and Gods Blessings.


Energy
Posted by Hotlava (Seattle) on 10/18/2013

Most of the US centenarians in this day and age grew up "poor on a farm"... There is nothing like organic farming and living a traditional agrarian lifestyle to boost people's health for a long and healthy life! Weston Price was right in his book Nutrition and Physical Degeneration- "Life in all it's fullness is Mother Nature Obeyed".

In Love and Health


Apple Cider Vinegar and Honey
Posted by Lily (Brisbane, Australia) on 11/04/2010

Hello slidefoot, Yes you can add some honey to the apple cider vinegar, you can also put the Apple Cider Vinegar in some apple juice which disguises the taste quite well. Lily.


Apple Cider Vinegar and Honey
Posted by Nurioneheart (Tacoma, Wa, Usa) on 11/13/2010

Hi, Slidefoot. I am 70 years old too and I have reduced my high blood pressure, my cholesterol and my blood sugar all in the last 3 months by using the many ideas on this website. So I do not know if using just one healthy remedy will do the trick. I treat my body as a whole system and not just isolated parts. I started eating a larger variety of vegetables especially green leafy ones, breakfast lunch and supper. I cut my carbs down to about 120 a day. I cut my fruit down to just a small slice of fresh fruit for 2 morning snacks; 2 afternoon snacks; 2 evening snacks; and I eat cucumber slices or celery or cauliflower with a little sea salt and nutritional yeast sprinkled on it (yum yum! )if I get hungry when reading before bed. I make a tonic for myself and my friends once every couple of days which I sip on throughout the day. The tonic tastes pretty good (to me anyway ) and all the ingredients are very good for all your body parts.

The Tonic Recipe is:
Put 1/4 cup organic raw apple cider vinegar and 1/8 c organic raw local honey
Or real maple syrup (not fake maple flavored syrup) into a food processor or blender. Blend this with the following fresh living ingredients
(not bottled or dehydrated stuff)
Equal parts of:
1 whole peeled lemon
peeled garlic
sliced onion
sliced ginger root

Pour this mash into a pint size glass jar and cover. It will stay useful for a couple of weeks, but it is best to take a 3 or 4 spoons of this every day so it shouldn't be sitting in the fride very long. Take a heaping table spoon of this Health Tonic as soon as you awake in the morning, with lunch, and before bedtime. You can mix it in water, juice, or tea if you wish. I often take it right out of the spoon. It is quite zesty and I have developed a fondness for it. It is good for cleaning/toning your liver. It is good for heart and blood pressure and a hundred other things that need support in our internal organs which work in harmony with each other. This tonic is also anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-fungal, anti-bacteria, ant-viral, anti-parasite, anti-yeast, anti-fungus. It supports your pro-biotics. Good health to you, hope you're enjoying your journey into sharing your own wisdom. Nuri


Leg Cramps
Posted by J (St. Louis, Mo) on 10/20/2010
★★★★★

My husband has terrible leg cramps. I had read that ACV would help, so we tried it recently when he had a bad bout with the leg cramps. It seemed to help. We put some in the bath too and he thought that was helpful too. I had read not to put it on the skin, but it did not seem to burn his skin.


High Cholesterol
Posted by Royce (Phil Campbell, Al., Usa) on 10/13/2010

I recently had stints put in my neck and one valve in my heart. I take Plavix 75gm and Lipitor 40gm. Will ACV help me get off these meds as they are very expensive? will they damage the stints. Thanks for your help, Royce


Acid Reflux
Posted by Marti (Sedalia, Mo) on 10/10/2012
★★★★★

This is in response to comments made by mike of casper, wyoming. Your mixture of Apple Cider Vinegar and baking soda worked instantly for me! I have suffered from gerd for a long time due to a side effect from a med. I was put on ranitidine and then graduated to prilosec for this new horror. I have been trying desperately to find a natural way to control gerd. I don't want to take a medication to counteract another's side effects. So.. I found this site and read your comment yesterday and I simply do not know how to thank you! This horrible gerd has vanished!


Sprains
Posted by Brooke (Montgomery, Tx, Usa) on 08/15/2010
★★★★★

Mon. Of this week my boyfriend sprained his ankle at football practice. I got on EC to see what was recommended and I saw ACV. This is what I did - I put approx 3 Tbls of ACV, 5 Tbls of olive oil, about 1/2 cup of salt and Kidney Drainage liquid herbs, 3 squirts, and then rubbed his feet for about 1/2 hour. The swelling went down by the next morning and he could walk on it, however, it was sprained really bad. So I did it again the next night and by the morning it was 90%, and the next day it is 100%.


European Conversions
Posted by Keyser Soze (Amsterdam, Holland ) on 07/29/2010

Hello everyone, I know in the States you use tablespoons as an amount for the ACV. In Europe we do not, mostly we talk in "ml" Milliliter
or 1 tablespoon of sugar. I searched the internet and found out that 1 tbs is 15ml of liquid! A normal size tbs in Europe is 6ml maybe 8ml! So, I think most European people take more than the half of ACV in their home made cocktail. As I read often "it doesn't work". I know there is a lot of misunderstanding between the European and US and English sizes or amounts. Just have a look on this site http://www.curezone.com/conversions.asp

I hope that Earthclinic can make this clear on the site. So that it's clear for everyone on this planet. Regards KS, Holland Amsterdam

EC: Thank you so much, Keyser. Your advice has been posted to our Remedy Guidelines page here: https://www.earthclinic.com/guides.html

European Conversions
Posted by Tina (Utrecht, Netherlands) on 07/29/2010

To Keyser Soze from Amsterdam, You can buy the american measuring cups and sets with teaspoon, tablespoon, 1/4, 1/2, 1/8 tablespoon at any Blokker here for only 2-3 euro per set. Might be easier than converting everything. Groet, Tina


Broad Benefits
Posted by Raquel (Davao City, Philippines) on 01/05/2011

The cholestrol is lower due to ACV cleaning the veins and arteries of calcium deposits. My mom drank ACV with honey in distilled water for years and it not only lowered her cholestrol but got rid of her arthritis and vericose veins. Its great stuff.


ACV and Probiotics
Posted by Lisa (Thousand Oaks, Ca, Usa) on 06/16/2010

Hi Joyful, There is no contraindication of what you are doing. As a matter of fact, apple cider vinegar is a prebiotic which feeds probiotics! So they work hand in hand. There should be no problem with the other 5 ingredients listed either. Hope this helps. Glad you're doing well! Lisa


Liquid Vs. Pills
Posted by Becky (Elberton, Ga.) on 08/02/2010

If you have 500 mgs. In a capsules, how does that equal out by teaspoon?


Apple Cider Vinegar and Probiotics
Posted by Pat (Athens, Al, Usa) on 05/15/2010

Can ACV and probiotics be taken together or would the ACV override the probiotics? Or can I take both as long as there is a space of time between the two? Currently I'm doing both with no ill effects I'm just wondering if one is canceling out the other or if they both are "doing their own thing" in harmony??? Thanx in advance for any input.

Dental Enamel Issues
Posted by Ellen (Florida) on 12/28/2013

Just chew a big wad of dark green lettuce. Keep the chewed up lettuce in your mouth while using a straw to drink the cider vinegar. The acid will not be able to get to your teeth because they are coated in greens.


Broad Benefits
Posted by Kristen (St. Peters, Mo) on 05/07/2010
★★★★★

ACV - (1 capful in 1 cup water per day after meals) Organic Raw Apple Cidar Vinegar - started taking it 2 years ago, I no longer have seasonal allergies, ( I also do a sinus flush 1 per week), also cured my Oral allergies to fruit (ie: apples, pears, etc) I also noticed after initial burning sensation when applied to a sunburn, all pain or evidence of sunburn subsides, also I notice when taken after eating aids in digestiontakes away feeling of fullness. I believe it lessoned an episode of slight food poisoning as my symptoms seemed far weaker than others poisoned.(drank after meal)


ACV Chasers
Posted by Colette (Toronto, Ontario Canada) on 04/21/2010

I love vinegar. I bought ACV after reading this site and I drink it straight. I could drink it all day long. After reading so much about how people really don't like the taste of it I wonder why I do? Should I be carefull about how much I drink? Does my love of vinegar point to a some biological warning sign?

Storing Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Debbie (Okanogan, Wa) on 04/14/2010

Hey Brenda, I just read your post, I don't know if you're freezing plastic water bottles, if so, don't, by freezing the plastic bottles, it causes the bottle to release dioxine, I believe that's what its called, which causes cancer. Don't freeze plastic bottles, use glass. I use old peanut butter jars. Bye for now, debbie


ACV Vs. Other Types of Vinegar
Posted by Bill (San Fernando, Luzon, Philippines) on 03/16/2010

I would have to say that I disagree completely with the_phoenix's conclusions. I regard taking lemon or lime with baking soda as the major factor that helped me to successfully cure my candida. My understanding of the use of lemon and lime or ACV with baking soda came after my own long period of use and experimentation (4 years).

For me, lemon and lime with baking soda is the most useful because:

* It provides good citrate and ascorbate balance between sodium and potassium electrolytes.

* This remedy both alkalizes the blood as well as the internal body cell environment.

*As Ted has said, the lemon or lime remedy normalizes many biological parameters including pH, ORP, phosphates, bicarbonates and antioxidants of vitamin C.

I also use the ACV and baking soda remedy, but usually only if I need more energy, because the malates formed from the malic acid in ACV are utilized in the Kreb's energy cycle of cell metabolism and respiration. But I also use methylene blue or hydrogen peroxide internally, they are usually just as good as ACV, if not better, for increasing the efficiency of cell respiration and increasing energy levels in general.

I've also found, from personal usage, that lemon or lime plus baking soda seems to actually alkalize the body better than using ACV. As Ted says, ACV and BS only alkalizes the body to a pH of 7, whereas the lemon and lime remedy normally alkalizes the body to a higher and more balanced level.

Also, in the_phoenix's post, I note that she gives many reasons for her belief that ACV is better than the lemon/lime remedy and then afterwards, with no further critique on lemon/lime -- no reasons -- she concludes:

"Lemon juice has different properties[WHAT DIFFERENT PROPERTIES?] and hence is NOT a suitable subsitute in most cases although it is also an organic acid and contains potassium."

Here is what Ted from Bangkok offers and concludes regarding the ACV and Lemon/Lime remedies:

"In my opinion the best formula to use is the lime-baking soda formula, after drinking it many biological terrain parameters would be normalized the best."

The judgements the_phoenix offers are neither fair or good enough in the criticisms of the lemon and lime remedy.

Remember that people who have no experience at all read EC, and I would personally hate to think that I would mis-advise or mislead anyone concerning any of the remedies here.


General Feedback
Posted by David (Newburyport, Mass, Usa) on 02/23/2010

Anyone experiencing stomach discomfort after taking that particular apple cider vinegar should switch brands. the type of wooden barrel the cider is aged in can contain resin that can get into the applecider. it's not the acv vinegar thats bothering the stomach ie., bloating, cramping and gas pains etc...it's the resin from the barrel !


Broad Benefits
Posted by Kandy (Lakeland, Fl) on 01/19/2010
★★★★★

I have been using apple cider vinigar for several months now for a sinus infection which is now under control after having problems with them for years, and as a toner for my face. The results are amazing. Pores are smaller face is clear of red spots and wrinkles fade. It has also taken away my body aches and pains. If I take regularly my legs dont hurt and I feel great. I take 2 tsp. twice a day followed by 1 tsp. of honey.I love not having to take medicine. Thanks Earthclinic.


Recipes
Posted by Jd (Quezon City, Philippines) on 01/07/2010

What is the difference between taking ACV with 8oz water from drinking it undiluted ? Does it affect its efficacy ?
Thanks in advance

Recipes
Posted by Eli (Brazil) on 01/07/2010

I don't think it affects efficacy. For example, one tablespoon of ACV in one litre of water ingested is still one tablespoon of ACV when ingested, along from one litre of water, period.

However, concentration is important. Undiluted ACV is more acidic than ACV that is diluted and that has ramifications: for example, it may hurt your teeth enamel more than diluted vinegar (although some dispute that). It may also impact liver cleansing, I would suppose. But I'm just speculating: since ACV is not patentable, we will never know because there is no financial interest in paying for such studies in order to understand the effects of ACV on health.

There is also some people who advise on very diluted ACV all day long instead of having a couple of "doses" in a day. You just have to try each for a couple of weeks and see that works best for you. Everybody is different.



NEXT