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.

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133 User Reviews
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1 star (1) 
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Posted by Denise (Greenwich, CT) on 06/30/2008
★☆☆☆☆

I used 1 tsp. acv in apple juice 3x/day for about a year. Unfortunately, it didn't help my acid reflux, blood pressure or cholesterol. My bp and cholesterol got higher in fact. My diet never changed. I've stopped the ACV and both numbers dropped. So strange as I used _____'s organic ACV and they say it works for everything. I was so disappointed. Wish I knew why it didn't work for me. I also developed something called sjogren's disease A after using it which is dry eyes and dry mouth. I don't have symptoms ironically, but I do get these huge cysts in the orbit of the eye. They have also stopped since I discontinued the ACV.

Since everyone is discussing using ACV and baking soda, why not use Alka Seltzer gold? It is sodium and potassium bicarbonate. A naturopath doctor told me to use it back in the 80's when I developed severe food allergies. As soon as one started, I put alka seltzer gold in water and it halted the reaction immediately; 1000mg of Vit C does the same thing.

My daughter developed laryngeal acid reflux and was put on prevacid 2x/day. I didn't want to do this as she is only 13, but she is having problems with singing. The naturopath prescribe licorice tablets but it says it's for adults and can only be used for 6 weeks since it causes the bp to rise. Her skin is dry and she has mild asthma and she has been breaking out with little pimples on her back, chest and arms and face. It's so frustrating as I hate meds. They have helped her, but I hate any long term meds as I'm frightened they may cause cancer. I'd try the ACV but it may make her skin break out more.

Replied by Nicole
(Dallas, TX)
07/30/2023

To the poster who said she used a TEAspoon of ACV and didn't see results:

A teaspoon is too small of a quantity to make a difference. You should take a TABLEspoon of apple cider vinegar 2 or more times a day depending on symptoms and how you tolerate it.

That will give you results.

Nicole


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Posted by Carol (Newhall, CA) on 06/22/2008
★★★★★

I just had to tell others that have experienced stomach problems (had gallbladder removed 8 yrs. ago), sinus problems, allergies. asthma, and yeast infections that the acv has really changed my life! that is the organic acv from trader joe's! I had poop and gas problems. I had breathing problems too! I even got off my inhalers including my steroid! I am also trying to lose weight. I feel healthier and can walk and exercise more now. My social life had changed to not wanting to go out of the house or being away from the toilet! If you try a little bit to start, get used to it first. I was drinking one capful to one cup of water about three times a day. It has also led me to drink more water. I will let you know about weight loss as I am trying walking and taebo. By the way I was also having chronic fatigue, but when I drink the stuff faithfully, I feel great! (Also it helps your bowel to not smell bad.) So if you try it start small and dilute it. Don't burn yourself with it straight because it is a acid base. Good luck!


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Posted by Mike (Seguin, TX) on 06/12/2008
★★★★★

I have been oil pulling for 4 days. I used to smoke two packs a day and drink so much coffee I ended up in the hospital with caffiene intoxication. My teeth look so much cleaner and are starting to get white. They had been terribly stained. I work nights, 12 hour shifts, and always have big black bags surrounding my eyes. These bags are almost completely gone and my skin looks so clear. I also starting drinking 2 tablespoons of ACV in 8 oz of water before each meal. My skin is really starting to glow. My energy is reaching levels I have not felt in years. I am in my mid forties. I am really starting to look younger. This upsets my wife very much. She is upset that I am being stared at now by others whenever we are out together. She sees the differences in my appearance and energy but for some reason will still not try oil pulling or ACV. I am going to start keeping a journal and track the changes in my appearance and energy. I am so pleased with the results and it has only been four days!!!! I am enjoying being "noticed" so much more when I go out. It always nice to know that others find you attractive. I FEEL GREAT!!!!!!!!! I will continue with both of these practices for the remainder of my life. It is so cheap and yet the rewards are so tremendous.


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Posted by Nath (Winnipeg, Canada) on 06/11/2008
★★★★★

I've been using 2tbs of acv with a glass of water. Benefits have been better digestion, energy, less asthma symtoms, not so pale in the face, weight loss. I stopped taking for a while to see what would happen, and the reverse of the benefits occured.


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Posted by Nadia (Shenzhen, China) on 05/24/2008
★★★★★

I started taking ACV for 3 weeks about 3 months ago without baking soda and it was fantastic, cleaned my whole system, having lots of energy, no pain, weight loss and etc. I am taking AVC+Baking soda now but it seems I don't get the same result as before, am I doing anything wrong here?????. However I recommend it to EVERYONE to please try it for at least 2 weeks , 3 times a day. 2 TBS in a cup of water upon rising, mid morning and mid afternoon. I thank Earth clinic for this site.

Replied by Nicole
(Dallas, TX)
07/30/2023

Re: ACV taken with baking soda not effective

ACV is an acid. The benefits of ACV come from the several types of acids (plus probiotics in the mother) that work their magic when ingested.

Baking soda is a base. It neutralizes acids and makes liquids more alkaline. We don't want to neutralize the acids in ACV with baking soda, it renders them ineffective.

To not decalcify your teeth with acid when drinking ACV, drink it with a straw and push that as far back as you can handle. Then make a solution of baking soda and water (about 1 tsp to a cup of water). Rinse your mouth and teeth with it. Spit out. That will neutralize the acid on your teeth and you're good to go.

Best,
Nicole


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Posted by Linda (Clyde, Texas) on 02/07/2008
★★★★★

I've used ACV for many problems including fungal infections. When my son came back from Iraq he had a horrible case of athletes foot. I used 1 cup ACV and distilled water as a foot soak and the infection cleared up completely. He only needed to do the foot soak 1 night. Also, I developed that horrible toenail fungus like my mother had...thick yellow nails with a flaky exudate underneath...I started soaking my toenails in ACV straight from the bottle. After a 10 minute soak, I would use a q-tip and get the ACV up under the nail. Within a week, I had healthy growth of my nails. Now they are completely normal. The prescription for this was $600 which I couldn't afford. The ACV was $3.95 and I only had to use a shot glass of it every night for a week to clear up the problem. Once new growth was healthy, I stopped the toe soaks and have not had to use it again.

I've used ACV to get rid of ringworm too. It works as quickly as black walnut hull extract. Just dab it on with a cotton ball, and BLOW as it burns. It may burn, but it works.

Finally, I worked in Iraq for a year and developed a horrible fungus in my sinuses and had to have emergency surgery. The fungus would always come back and I finally cleared the infection by using ACV in my nasal irrigator every day. I put 1 mL of ACV in a WaterPik bowl, with warm water. It burned and made my eyes water, but I could BREATHE! Anytime I have symptoms of that fungal infection, I immediately start using ACV in my nasal wash. Anytime I have the slightest symptom of cold or sore throat, I use a shot glass of plain ACV and the symptoms are gone with 1 dose. Now my BP is getting high, so I know what to do...I never should have gotten off of it. This is a great site by the way. For beauty, I've used a water/ACV mixture to tighten pores and to eliminate dulling from shampoo. My dogs get 1 mL of ACV in their drinking water every day and NEVER have fleas or ticks. I don't have to purchase expensive flea remedies. Just a little ACV will do it, but you have to be consistent with it.


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Posted by Peggy (Hinesville, GA) on 01/30/2008
★★★★★

Hi, First, I'd like to say thank you Earth Clinic and Ted for this site and the contributions. I share it with everyone I can. This is a concern I have which I patiently direct to Ted. I have been using AC vinegar since last spring. I take at least 2 TBsp a day with 1/2 tsp. of baking soda 2x a day. I fluctuate between 2 and 5 pounds in weight loss due to the belief that I have other issuses that may need addressing in order to see the true benefit of its use. It has kept me feeling good, BP has lower some, but not where I need it to.

I have started experimenting with it on my face as a toner morning and night. I spray a cotton ball and gently wipe my face to my neck, then follow with vitamin E oil to soothe the slight itch and smell. This is to purify the skin for toxin. My face feels better but will keep everyone posted on further results.

Also, I am using it along with Tea Tree oil to help rid three small warts near my vagina. The treatment consist of acv applied for 5 minutes with q-tips and follow up with t-tree oil three times a day. After bath at night, I spray a cotton ball and apply in place against the area and leave for thirty minutes. It is painful. After removal of cotton ball I apply more t-tree oil to soothe the pain and then I can rest. So far the skin on the warts are turning white and shrinking, one is a little raw, but it is working. I will follow up after end results.

Now for Ted, I am now taking' 2 TBsp of applecider vinegar with 1/2 tsp of baking soda, 1/2tsp of cinnamon,1 TBsp of apple cinnamon Lecithin and 5 drops of organic cayenne pepper as a concoction upon arrival in mornings, noon and night. Is it healthy to take that much baking soda daily month in and out? My family is harrasing me because they say vingar is a blood thinner and may cause me problems and I am concerned about the dose of baking soda? Will you clear this up for me so that my family will let me continue my experience for weight loss and lower blood pressure in peace. Thank you in advance, Ted and God bless you all.


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Posted by Mira (Venice, CA) on 01/28/2008
★★★★★

LET ME START BY SAYING I THINK THIS SITE IS THE BEST ONE OUT THERE ON THE INFO HI-WAY.. I had a sinus infection on and off for the last 15 years! I have tried everything and more from the regular md's including pain pills for years to get rid of that horrible head ache around my eyes and cheek bones. A couple of years ago while walking, I Met a man selling a book about Cancer cures/prevention. he had published the book himself and i was interested in prevention, and what he had to say. He told me that all Humans and animals would benefit greatly by drinking and BATHING in ORGANIC APPLE CIDER VINEGAR WITH THE MOTHERS... I found this to be very interesting and decided to do my own experiments and research, I have a dog who was beginning to get mange on her hind knee it was red and irritaded the vets wanted to give her some horrible medicine and she was clearly not feeling well.I held him over the sink and poured the Vinegar strait from the bottle over her infected knee she squirmed a bit probably from the stinging but a second later that smart pooch put her leg on my chest so i could at it better (as though she knew i was gonna fix her) after the first time it was 80% better and in two days that mange was gone! so I took a bath using the vinegar i probably used a quart as I buy it in gallon jugs ...I could not believe how I felt after one bath..."Reborn" is the word that comes to mind. after that one bath I began to take it orally, in the morning or anytime i had heart burn another ailment of mine...The ACV has worked wonders,also it took My skin tags off and made my skin and hair so much brighter.i also only use coconut oil for moisturizing and a small amount in my hair for dryness.

I started reading about baking soda and gave that a try too...I put a small box of baking soda with the vinegar in the bath. Amazing, all my aches and pains were gone! the skin on my knee caps looked like they were 12 years old, No ashiness,or dryness... now about the sinus infection, I was really sick, for a month in November and Dec.07 i had a crusty sore on the tip of my nose and I had laryngitis from working in year round air conditioning and the dry winds that plague California, and it was like the 5th time in a year that I had come down with it. Being a singer,with a weekly show this has been so depressing for me... so i took one tablespoon ACV and warm water in a Netti pot...you tip your head from side to side not backward. It burned I have to admit.... so I rinsed again with plain water to get the sting out. My eyes started to water and my throat hurt and I blew stones out of my nose! I am not kidding. the mucous changed from greenish yellow to clear almost immediately, The sore on the tip of my nose went away over night, i blew my nose after that for a week, as wads and wads of mucous came out..I could actually sing the next night! It was a Miracle for me...

Then I found your site on Oil Pulling I had never heard of it before and I mistakingly thought it I read safflower oil in stead of sunflower oil. I got the courage up to try it and could do no more than a couple of minutes. Now I doubt if I will ever go to the Doctor ever again! After one try with the Safflower oil my VOICE was better than when i was kid! As if the oil had lubricated all that was rough and scratchy! I am so amazed at the oil pulling, I wonder why no one ever talks about it publicaly as the best thing ever for well being, as one of your writers on this site put it "The virus was made in nature can be healed by nature too!" I am a true Believer and will do these remedy's for life.I could go on and on about the benefits of these homade remedy's that REALLY WORK!

Replied by Joseph
(Chesapeake, Virginia)
06/05/2008

curious what is oil pulling -- can anyone explain please? Also I just started to lose my voice. Apple cider to the rescue within one hour the flem from my throat is clearing.

EC: Read more about Oil Pulling here: https://www.earthclinic.com/remedies/oil_pulling.html


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Posted by Tracey (Chicago, USA) on 01/24/2008
★★★★★

I use ACV for ear mites on my cat and itchy skin. They bite their skin-- I suspect allergies. They don't have fleas, but even if they did, I'd still use _____'s Raw Apple Cider Vinegar, because it's undiluted and has all the vitamins and minerals and potassium intact. The cats have stopped biting and scratching. I put it on a cotton swab for the ears, a cotton pad (round ones for removing makeup)for the fur, and I also put a tiny amount in their wet food. They do not like the smell, but the cats took to the ACV better than the ear mite medicine I had applied to the ear.I think the ACV soothes the cats' ears. I use 2 t. of ACV in an 8 oz. glass of water with a little honey. I drink this in the morning, and I think it's helping my tendonitis (from typing too much) and my brain fog. I am thinking much more clearly and I feel that I have more energy.


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Posted by David (Sheffield, United Kingdom) on 12/03/2007
★★★★★

started ACV on 30 Nov 07 and within 48 hrs noticed -
itchy/blurry eyes began to clear,
nasal passages cleared of persistent build up,
easing of soreness at the back of the throat,
joints working better and not "clicking",
increased muscle energy,
increased mental clarity and greater capacity to cope with complex information- generally having a more "can do" attitude rather than defeatist,
return of normal (how shall I put it) "libido",
reduction of constantly high body temperature and sweating (even in cold rooms),
reduction of facial redness /blotchiness,
disappearance of skin problems (peeling, dry, itchy),
reduction in "congested" feeling in lower abdomen (possibly a BPH problem),
calming of nerves,
feeling of increased well being after food (as opposed to food making me feel worse),

I've had the above aliments for many years so I should point out that the ACV has recently been added as part of an overall health promoting strategy which includes

Avoidance of ALL grains
Elimination of sugary foods
Keeping a watch on starchy carbs intake and changing to occasional rather than regular indulgence in hot spicy foods
Avoidance of mushrooms
Taking specific Vitamin and mineral supplements (especially Biotin)

Any non-ACV believers reading - make of this what you will. All I know is that after four days on ACV, I'm not imagining things. I've been dogged with the above ailments for years (caused, I believe, by the complete wrecking of my digestive and immune systems by antibiotics) and they are now on the wane. I'm guessing here, but I would say this is due to a more invasive attack on systemic Candida by the ACV.


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Posted by Queen (Auburn, WA) on 11/27/2007
★★★★★

Okay, this is unbelievable but it is really happening in my body. On saturday, I took my stepson out to dinner and a movie for his birthday, and we started talking about a friend of his who was taking acv and was having mind numbing results..well..I ran out at midnight saturday night, and bought some..I have been taking 2 tablespoons 3 times a day in apple juice. My hair, that was dry and brittle has grown one inch in 3 days, it is super soft and has body and life. My skin is starting to get much softer. I am usually very tired but last night I went to bed at 4am in the morning, I woke up at 9:30 am this morning and had a ton of energy, with hardly any rest at all. My clothes are fitting a bit looser as I spend a bit more time in the bathroom. I find myself thirstier for more water which is a good thing as our bodies need more water than food. Also,today, I have just added honey to the mix.I will keep you all posted.


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Posted by Ashok Kumar (Portland, OR, USA) on 09/11/2007
★★★★★

I am amazed to see the fast active ACV and its health benefits. I have been using ACV for the last 3 weeks. I have lost around 8 pounds till today, my BP is getting well controlled around 110/70 and oily skin is natural looking w/o any skin eruptions, etc. OVerall I feel young and mentally sharp at the age of 55. I also found something astonishing and require verification from others. I found and, as reported by my family, my Snoring is missing now a days!! Really ACV is an Amazing Drink.Thanks


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Posted by Lisa (Cape Canaveral, FL) on 08/22/2007
★★★★★

I used to be prone to constant urinary infections to the point I no longer felt them. One time it had got so bad I actually felt the severest of symptoms. At the time no medical insurance and no money to go to a doctor. So I emailed a friend who had a huge book on herbs and natural remedies. He researched for me and found if I took a bath with apple cider vinegar it would eliminate the urinary infection because the urethra acts as a wick and draws the high ph into the bladder. Well I had no bathtub and no access to one. So we devised this plan. I would take a cotton ball and soak it in apple cider vinegar and place it on my urethra for twenty min three to four times a day. The skin would burn and it did hurt alot. But I persisted. I woke up the next day and had no symptoms at all. I continued to use the acv for three more days. Since then I have not had another attack of urinary infection.

Years before I forgot to mention this. A neighbor told me about acv and honey as a remedy for headaches depression arthritis pain help and lowering cholesterol and high blood pressure. Well i suffered from all of these symptoms. I asked how much to take. She said she took two tablespoons each of acv and honey in enough hot water to melt the honey and drank it down half an hour before she ate. I did the same. The first week I lost ten pounds of excess water weight due to bad diet of too much salt. I sweated alot and peed alot. I lost a total of forty pounds. I had visited my doc before I started and thirty days after. He was amazed at the weight loss and asked how I did it. I told him and he said oh. he wasn't concerned at the amount in that short of a time. I should have been. It is dangerous to lose too much weight in a short amount of time. But I believe in my case it was extreme excess water weight. My cholesterol dropped from 256 to 156 in six months. My blood pressure was below normal and I couldn't gain weight. So acv and honey is my magic remedy. My kids would see me taking the acv and honey for my migraines. They wanted to try it for their headaches. Well after the first time they used it they didn't want tylenol anymore. Ever. To this day they are teenagers they remember it is instant and keeps the headaches away.

I have laxed in my daily regimen of acv and honey and have gained back the weight and the blood pressure. i am going to start it again. Anyways. Thank you for your time in reading its benefits to me. Hugs to you.


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Posted by Mike (Summerville, South Carolina) on 06/03/2007
★★★★★

i just stumbled on your web and thought i would share with you.ive been doing organic acv for about 4 years.shared it with my friends and family and here are some of the cures...cross my heart! 2 cases of boils.1 of athletes feet.1 infected finger nail due to a schrimp stick and this lady had been on antibiotics for 2 weeks with surgery 3 days away. i told her husband she would cancel the surgery if she applied acv on the wound through out the day.and she did! 1case brown recluse spider bight.1 case possumm bight.1 case outer ear infection.numerous cases of colds.external or internal acv is worth its weight in gold. truth


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Posted by Therese (Belleville, Illinois, USA) on 05/02/2007
★★★★★

My children and I have been sick for over a month. Nasal congestion, constant coughting until vomitting. Nothing the Dr. gave us was helping. My dear mother in law told me to try:

8 oz warm water
2 teaspoons ACV
2 teaspoons Honey

The first day I tried it and it brought up and out a very nasty brown mucus, and shortly after I started to feel better, and able to breath without coughing. The second day I noticed my acne was clearing up. The kids are not fond of the taste but they will drink it because they feel much better!



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