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 Side Effects
Posted by Jayadurga (Eastborough, UK) on 04/11/2008
I have started using Apple cider vinegar one spoon twice daily since two days. I am a diabetic. I take metformin and actos low dose daily. I was struggling from bloating of late and after taking ACV I really felt relieved from bloating. But i feel tired and depressed all the time these two days and no interest in anything. Is anything wrong because of ACV?I would appreciate if I get some good thoughts on this issue.
Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Roseann (San Diego, USA) on 06/08/2008
Try unfiltered, organic, ACV (health food stores) ....you'll get a deliciously flavoured ACV that is pure and realiably 5% in acidity....the "knock-offs" are almost always impure and far more acidic.....I dilute 1- TBS ACV w/4oz. H20 & a pinch or two of baking soda (5-days on 2-days off)....or 2-TBS. w/8oz. H20 & 3 or four pinches of baking soda (4-days on 3-days off)...If you try this, start with the lower dose ...I think you'll thrive & find that previous problems wree caused by over-dosing,too much acidity and/or under buffering w/soda...(I've come to actually crave the ACV on off days, due to it's delicious taste w/o the multitude of health benefits it offers ...Good luck!
Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Sherry (Longview, Washington) on 07/28/2008
Hi, I want to try using ACV. Is a table spoon mixed with a glass of water enough if I take it once a day? I do not want to drain my body of the good nutrients. I have fibroids and I take natural nutients for my condition. When I do not take those my fibroids cause me problems so I do not want to rid my body of those helpful nutrients. I do want the health benefits from using ACV. Is there a safe balance?
Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Jacy (Sydney, Australia) on 10/08/2008
To Jayadurga from Eastborough, UK re: side effects of ACV with Metformin. I too am on Metformin for Poly-Cystic Ovarian Syndrome and Insulin Resistance. We need to remember that being on METFORMIN can sometimes cause certain side-effects including Lactic acidosis, malaise and Vitamin B12 Malabsorption.
The symptoms of Lactic Acidosis are: weakness, increasing sleepiness, slow heart rate, cold feeling, muscle pain, shortness of breath, stomach pain, feeling light-headed, and fainting. It is a very dangerous disease and needs urgent medical attention.
Another side-effect of Metformin is Vitamin B12 malabsorbtion. A couple of the signs that you are deficient in Vitamin B12 are tiredness/weakness and depression, among many others. It's a good idea to take a Vitamin B12 supplement or B-complex whilst on Metformin, and this may increase your energy levels and prevent these negative symptoms.
Best thing to do when on Metformin is to have a healthy diet (preferably low in acid-forming foods and drinks, especially sodas), increase fresh vegetables, decrease high GI, high carb foods, take a vitamin mineral supplement, do regular exercise, and drink lots of water.
Perhaps it is not the ACV that is the cause of your tiredness and depression. But just like any treatment, natural or artificial, take it slowly to begin with and gradually increase the dose. Hope this helps :)
Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Charly (Chicago, IL) on 02/23/2008
I guess I have a few questions here goes. Hi I was using 2 tablespoons of cheap, probably pasteurized Goya ACV and water and I felt fine and then I tried the one with the mother (_____s) and it made me sick......I wasn't expecting that since it is raw and natural....Why is that? Could it have anything to do with being diagnosed with Non Alcoholic Steato Hepatitis (Fatty Liver/inflamation of liver) as I am overweight, can ACV make that worse? I know even a glass of alcohol can make it worse and acv is alcohol that is further furmented. Also, I did notice the 1st 2 weeks that the force of my piss was weaker and remember reading something about getting bladder cancer with acv use. Is there any correlation? I did also notice better skin and better digestion though and would like to continue using it.
Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Leigh (Santa Ana, Costa Rica) on 01/25/2008
Drinking _____'s Apple Cider Viniger is helping me clear up my sinus infection of many months but I have mouth sores from taking it. I have lumps on my tongue and roof of my mouth + my throat is sore. I have been doing the recommended dose for about 5 days. I will take a brake from it and try a smaller dose, Maybe one Tbs 3 times daily. I will post later with an update.
Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Joshua (Deland, FL) on 05/13/2008
my favorite sinus remedy is a neti pot, you can find them at health food stores. but 3 tbs a day sounds like a lot
Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Marco (Florianopolis, Brazil) on 01/24/2008
I started taking the ACV twice per day at two tablespoons and had an intense liquid retention swelling in my right arm and to a lesser extent in the left one. I am quite healthy and just looking to further bolster this in particular to eliminate fungus from my system. After 6 days and seeming correlation to increased swelling I have temporarily discontinued the usage with the intention of easing back into it after the swelling is gone. Have you seen or heard of this and do you have any idea what might be the cause. M
Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Dawn (Penrith, NSW Australia) on 01/12/2009
I was amazed to read about the fluid retention in the right arm of one of your contributors. I am suffering exactly the same sympton. I have been taking ACV three times a day (two teaspoons along with the honey and warm water) I found it was good for inhibiting my appetite and my skin became very soft. Upon reading the fluid retention story, especially being in the right arm I was amazed. I decided to stop taking the vinegar for one week to see if the problem clears up.
Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Nick (Bogota, Colombia) on 01/23/2008
re: ACV CURING MY ACNE PLUS LOOSE STOOLS, please read my story.. I would like to start by saying how great and fast a cure ACV it's been for my problem with acne. My case it's very specific, because it started at 18, when i was in my darkest hour,moving to a different place and being extremely unhappy, but my situation recently changed, i am 24 now, also i came back to my country, but after trying all the normal and homeopathic medicine have to offer except accutane, i decided to give ACV a try. Reading about all i thought that my case might have something to do with my acidity and alkalinity levels, (my acne it's only in the face, not in the t-zone, just the cheeks, my hair and skin is very oily, my blood very thin and hard to coagulate and i have no antecedents of acne in my family..) I found some here in my country, although i wasn't feeling too confident because it was very hard to find, they all have regular apple vinegar. well i started to drink it, and i've been doing it for almost a month now. my acne it's almost gone, my skin quality changed completely, i am very happy, not totally cured but getting there. PLEASE TRY IT>>
Now my real problem it's that i've been taking two tbs. of ACV in water with my food, that's been mostly vegetables and rice and potatoes, maybe some chicken but no red meat. and it's making me have some mild diarrhea and it's uncomfortable because i have to run for bathrooms all the time. i've been reading and i don't know if i should take the baking soda with it, replace it with lemon, or take it hours before eating.. please help me, because i don't want to stop taking it, and be back to my acne self. ok i thank you very much for your attention, and hope to see the answer soon, and post it to so it can help people too. it's been a long and painful trip, but i'm good to see that i'm dealing with it thanks to your site.
Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Biz (Tampa, Florida, USA) on 01/15/2009
Vinegar is very good for the skin...it restores the pH balance. Also, it is a wonderful hair rinse...makes it super shiny and feels great.When I've used it on my face I just dabble it on and then rinse. It does have a smell in the hair but when it dries it does not. My mom used it for year and had georgous hair. Also, for the hair just use regular grocery store brand but for internal use the organic Apple Cider.
Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Mark (Bangkok, Thailand) on 01/23/2008
I tried taking ACV with honey and water before Christmas but found i had severe diahrea and also and itchy anus.I thought it was a stomach infection or something similar.I didn't think it was the ACV but,I stopped over the holiday period because i went travelling and didn't want to carry a bottle with me. MY stools became hard again and i felt much better.Since coming back to Bangkok,i've started taking ACV again and also the diarrhea has returned. I've read many article from readers but it was only mentioned once.What would you suggest?
Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Colleen (Staten Island, NY) on 12/18/2007
After reading this site I decided to take an ACV tablet and a few minutes later I started feeling some mild burning in my chest. I have a hiatus hernia but since losing weight and following a better diet of smaller, frequent meals haven't had to take my PPI much. I did buy ACV tablets in the summer to try and after taking one tablet I had the same discomfort. I was hoping the ACV would help with joint pain. I also take Vitex/Cohosh and other herbs for menopause. Will the ACV tablets affect me in any way with these other herbs, and why did I feel discomfort a few minutes later?
Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Laura (Portland, Oregon) on 11/30/2007
Question for Ted: I find that drinking vinegar on a daily basis, even a small amount like 1 teaspoon, will cause insomnia that gradually increases nightly, but goes away when I quit drinking vinegar daily. I read a couple of comments from readers regarding vinegar causing insomnia, but no answers about whey this might be happening. Any thoughts to share?
Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by CK (New York, USA) on 06/11/2008
MAYBE - INSOMNIA to the writer who wanted to know if ACV was
responsible for insomnia, I would definitely say YES. I have had that same experience, with ACV, lemon, limes other citrus fruit grapes and cheese. The reason being these items contribute to anemia in certain persons. I have a genetic anemic situation.
Actually Vitamin C and garlic should be added to that watch list for persons with anemia. These items should be taken in very small doses and not regularly everyday.
In any case it is a mistake to take any one item every day over years, its always good to switch things around.
So i would say take drops of ACV and do it with the bicarbonate, but limit it to every two days or so. For the High blood pressure, i find magnesium helps even a small amt of epsom salts daily is a substitute for the ACV if one cannot tolerate that.
Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Tracy (Frederick, MD) on 11/14/2007
Have been using the ACV remedy for about 2 mos and notice the immediate difference in my skin and in my lack of joint pain (I suffer from Carpal Tunnel). However, I also started to notice that my skin was getting dry and I was constantly tired and kind of depressed. All symptoms that I had before I got my thyroid checked. I have hypothyroidism and take Levothyroxin once daily in the am. I had been starting my day with the thyroid pill, then my ACV tonic. WELL, I just read on the Medicine bottle to take this medicine at least 4 hours prior to any antacids, iron or vitamin/mineral suppliments. Basically, the ACV was just washing away my meds. So I adjusted my times and don't take the ACV til later and I'm back to my old self, with the added ACV bonus! SO, check you medicine labels!!!
Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Barbara (Van, Texas) on 11/02/2007
For the first time in my life I am experiencing something like the flu. The doctor does not know what it is--bacterial or viral. It has the same symptoms as my grand daughters illness two weeks ago. She like me, began with fever of 104 and body aches for a couple of days. No other symptoms. After receiving Antibiotics, she had to be rushed to the emergency with a serious allergic reaction. She had a very nasty rash and cough. It took her two weeks to recouperate. I took care of her after I spend a few weeks traveling and not taking care of my self. Two days after I returned home, I came down with the fever, chills, and diareahea. After reading about ACV decided to take a bath in it to help reduce fever and detox. Within an hour of the bath, I broke out in a rash with blisters and have had them for three days now along with the cough that keeps me up all night. I am now on antibiotics and Vitamine C and tring to rest. The burning itching of my skin is almost unbearable. I use prayer to get me through the waking hours. I am now resorting to benedryl to keep from scratchin. Does any one have any suggestions?
Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Melly (Austin,, Texas, USA) on 10/30/2007
I am acidic. I took 2 TBSPS organic apple cider vinegar with the mother in it in a gallon of water. I did this for several days. I caused me to have a bleeding cystitis and had to take antibiotics. I did this to alkalize my body. Now i will try the baking and water only. Will let you know if i still develop bleeding cystitis. Melly
Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Karen (Bozeman, USA) on 10/26/2007
Have read with interest the articles on ACV and decided to try it. 3 days later and I have a mouth full of canker sores. Having good success healing them with alum, the pickling spice. No pain w/ application,but what did I do wrong? I'd like to continue with ACV as it has so many health benefits but can't live with mouth sores. Now what?
Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Liza (Norfolk, VA) on 10/12/2007
I tried acv for a bladder infection. Because of the bad taste, I took 2 tsp. straight. Beware! I was nauseous for hours and my esphogus and tongue feel burnt! So much for a remedy- I will be heading to the doctor's for antiobiotics and now instead of one problem I now have two!
Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Leslie (Boston, MA) on 10/09/2007
I was using ACV 2 tbsp in water 4 x day for 3 mon straight. Because of really bad vaginal itching I thought I should take a break. I stopped over the weekend, today is Tuesday, and my skin itches, I have pink eye, sore throat, sore neck, face breakouts--coincidence???? Any feedback?
Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Sarah (Tampa, FL) on 06/18/2008
I think you are using the acv too much. 4 x a day is a little excessive, you prob broke out in all your "sickness" because your body is still detoxing. Maybe trying 1 or 2 times a day at 1 or 2 tsps each time. Remember when you do ANY DETOX you will get WORSE before you get better. But also check to see if you have an allergy to acv.
Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Esther (Concord, CA) on 09/28/2007
I am new to the ACV remedy. I want to take the ACV to lose 20 pounds. About 2 months ago, I started taking estrogen & progesterone. I have gained over 6 pounds in the mid-section. I stopped taking the hormones now. I am 52 years old. I have been taking ACV 3X/day, 2T ACV + 1/4t BS in 8 oz water for about 10 days. I take it before breakfast, after lunch & after dinner. I haven't lost any weight yet. But my blood pressure has gone up quite a bit from 113/72 (with BP medication) to 142/82 and starts getting headaches. Has anyone have the similar problem with ACV? Or am I doing something wrong? Thanks for your responds.
