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 Kara (Memphis, Tn/us) on 10/01/2011
hello, I just found this site and decided to try the Apple Cider Vinegar tonic. This is my 3rd day. 2tsp in 16 oz of water. And I sip all day. 3 refills a day. When I drink it, my left hand goes numb and tingles. There is no pain, but this has never happened before. The 2nd day, I stopped drinking it , around miday, and the numbness went away. Today, I am sipping all day, but the numbness is there too. Does anyone have any idea as to why this is happening? Btw, I do love this site :) any input would be Very much appreciated!
Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Megan (Seattle) on 09/07/2015
I have same symptom like you, my left hand fingers numb after 3 days drinking AVC, did you find out what caused the symptom? AVC does a good job for my Sinus Congestion, don't want to give it up. Did you continue drinking AVC?
Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Denise (Qld) on 07/22/2017
Too acidic, I found I could take it for a week, a teaspoon in water and after that it didn't agree with me.
Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Becky (Santa Rosa, Ca) on 09/23/2011
Hi there! I recently tried your revised recipe for daily drinking of ACV. I'm not sure if it was supposed to happen or not. Possibly just detoxing, but oh how annoying, My face started breaking out. Nothing I couldn't handle. They actually cleared up quite quickly. What scared me a bit, though, was that my tongue started breaking out, too!! It really hurt when I brushed my teeth and tongue as I usually do. I drank this for approx. 2 weeks, throughout the day, until I could no longer tolerate the pain in my mouth. Did I stop too soon? Did I go too long? When I first started, it was within hours that I felt my mouth drying out and imagined my body was doing the same. it surprised me, later, when I started breaking out.
Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks! And thanks for all you're doing here!
Becky
Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Lily (Brisbane, Queensland, Australia) on 09/16/2011
Hi Allen, it may the sodium bicarb that is making you sick. If you have too much you will get diarrhea.
Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Jewelrygirl (Houston, Texas, Usa) on 09/19/2011
You may be going through Herxheimer Reaction (Die Off Reaction). I would suggest researching Herxheimer Reaction for more details.
Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Matchoo (Johnson City, Tn) on 02/28/2012
The reason for your light headedness and dizziness with ACV is that some individual's bodies, such a yours, cannot properly process the vinegar in larger quantities (being more than would be used in food). This causes a reaction similar to that of alcohol.
If you get this reaction with ACV, it is best that you look for a different natural solution. Or drink it when you've got nowhere to go :)
Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Nhyira (Elizabeth, Nj, Usa) on 09/12/2011
Greetings! After reading about Apple Cider Vinegar, Garlic and Raw Honey, I made the solution and began to take it just in the mornings (1 tbsp in 1 cup of water). I took it to reduce my blood pressure. Instead, my blood pressure shot up to 160/110 in a couple of days. It was already at 140/100. Has this happened to anyone before? This is the 2nd time I did this. The first was with ACV, baking soda and mollasses. At that time I assumed the baking soda was the source, but now I am really surprised this happened with the ACV. Any suggestions??
Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Gary (Reno, Nv, United States) on 12/08/2011
Hello Nhyira, I have had similiar results with ACV. It seems that my BP has increased also after a few days.
Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Willow (New York) on 08/31/2011
Has anyone else experienced a increase in appetite while taking the ACV. I have been taking the unfiltered on for about 3 weeks and I am experiencing an increase in appetite and sugar cravings. I have always had sugar cravings. But, I thought the ACV would slow it down.
Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Sue Ellen (Los Angeles, Ca) on 09/01/2011
Acetic acid (active component in ACV) has been proven to reduce blood sugar levels in several studies. If you have not consumed much carbohydrates prior to taking ACV, you will give yourself hypoglycemia and will crave sugar.
The best times to take ACV alone is at least 30 minutes after a meal. Or you could try ACV with molasses, which has enough sugar to keep you from being hypoglycemic.
Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Cronelesbo (Vale, Co) on 10/27/2012
RE: Stopping acid indigestion.
Here's what helped me.
Avoid trigger foods, chocolate, coffee, most teas, caffeine, sugar, dairy, wheat...?
Take Reacted Calcium by Orthomolecular (or other equivalent) 1 cap before meal. I like to open the caps and put the powder in my mouth than wash down with lots of water. It depends on your digestion, etc.
Sodium Bicarbonate without aluminum, approx 1 tsp in bubbly or plain water. Tastes awful but often motivates belching and cuts down on acid.
In the morning, do heel lifts/drops, raise up on heels, then drop down. If you have hiatial hernia, common and causes acid too, this will help seal the hernia for the day. Chiropractors can give adjustments for hiatial hernias too.
Do NOT take RX or OTC acid blockers, esp regularly. They may provide initial relief but can lead to serious digestive disorders and make everything worse, trust me!
Balance your PH by taking a PH supplement.
If you find you are having issues and are not trying to sleep, I find that walking around and doing things is preferable to sitting or lying down and helps to keep digestion moving.
Seek out a great naturopathic doc for asssitance and evaluate your nutrition and everything you put in your mouth! Reduce stress of course.
Best!
Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Lola2008 (Miami, Fl, Usa) on 08/16/2011
Hi I just started taking acv, 3 times a day with water and nothing else -I also apply topically to my face - sometimes have mild acne with a random not so mild deep cyst on my face now and then normally after menstrual cycle.
my face looks so much better in a short period of time but my sinuses are so much worse, I have had sinuses problems for many years have tried just about everything- I also do not eat sugar and dairy very rarely -
i wake up feeling sick every day with flu like symptoms and I have a "river" of mucus dripping on the back of my throat-the back of my eyes hurts -even my ears feel full, they dont hurt it just seems like I am far - the wonderful rosy glow I had the first few days is now gone too!
my lower back hurts a little don't know if related and suddenly I also seem to have discharge clear and odorless nothing worrisome - but it is out of the ordinary
i am wondering if this is because I am de-toxin somehow or I might be allergic to Apple Cider Vinegar ?
i should also mention that I am hypothiroid under control with armour
i have been taking primrose oil for a few years now
just in case I will tell you that I started putting castor oil drops in my eyes before I go to bed I have pteglyum in both eyes and had a pimple like growth on my tear duct that has disappeared in 2 days ( have had it for a few years too)this is sooo wondeful!
my eyes are completely blood shot where pteglyum is all veins seem to have gotten irritated at the same time so I am wondering if it is all connected somehow
thanks so much I love this site!!!!
Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Carlittagirl (Prairieville, Louisiana, Usa) on 08/03/2011
My husband and I are sick with sore throats and chills we both drank 2 tbs ACV and now we feel WORSE! Help! We feel nauseated now, have headaches and overall much more sick???
Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Harjeet Kaur (Bangkok, Thailand) on 07/18/2011
My husband has been having apple cider boiled togather with Ginger, Garlic and Lemon juice. (same quantity) since last 2 months. Recently when he went for his complete blood ckeckup, the doctor found increased white blood cells in blood. After one week another check up and the amount is even higher. He's perfectly all right and not been sick recently. Can it be the ACV? Please help.Thanks.
Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Na (Verona, Nj) on 07/09/2011
Why do I spot blood in the vaginal area after drinking orginic apple cider vinegar? May you please tell me Ted.
Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Lori (Fort Lauderdale, Fl) on 07/09/2011
I have been trying the ACV remedy for about 5 days, now, after many years of pain with a chronic health issue. The past few days, I have been exhausted and sickly. Is this a normal reaction, perhaps the idea of getting worse before getting better while in the healing process?
Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Carolyn (Abilene, Tx) on 07/05/2011
One of the wonderful effects of ACV is it lowers blood pressure. When I took it consistantly last year, it made me drowsy and tired, so I checked with my doc he said my bp was way too low so he took me off meds. Unfortunately I got out of the habit of my ACV over winter and my bp crept back up so back on meds I went. I'm imbibing again and hoping my bp goes low enough I can stop the meds again because I think they have more side effects than ACV. I hope to never again stop my ACV because it helps so with allergies and many other issues, not to mention its megabucks cheaper than my bp med.
Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Carly (Seattle, Wa Usa) on 07/04/2011
Hi Evelyn -
Most people seem to report the opposite effect from ACV from what I have read.
If constipation is an issue - try taking one heaping teaspoon of Unsulphered Blackstrap Molassas in your morning tea or coffee. I use Brier Rabbit brand, purchased on the baking row at my local grocery store. No need to go to a health food store for it.
You will visit the bathroom within 30-45 mins of finishing it!
Best, Carly (50 years and counting... ) :-)
Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Evelyn (San Antonio, Tx) on 07/05/2011
Dear Carly, thank you so much for the prompt reply. I have taken 1 t. Blackstrap molasses in my coffee but had to discontinue it. The doctor said that I was close to being a Borderline Diabetic. So I stopped it. Any other suggestion? Thanks a lot for your response!
Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Carly (Seattle, Wa Usa) on 07/05/2011
Hi Evelyn,
I agree - BSM is no good if you have high blood sugar. I would suggest drinking a few extra glasses of water every day, and trying to get more fiber in your diet - along with maybe take a probiotic daily. It might make things worse at first, but it will be much better in the long term.
Good luck, Carly
Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Evelyn (San Antonio, Tx, U.s.a.) on 07/06/2011
Carly, you have been very nice to take the time to answer my questions. Thank you very much!
Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Carly (Seattle, Wa Usa) on 07/06/2011
Hi Evelyn
You are so welcome. When you have been in the hell of FMS like we have - you automatically want to try to help someone with what worked for you. I hope you find what you need to balance out your system, and feel better - and pass it on to the next person.
Together we can lick this thing.... Sharing IS caring!
Carly :-)
Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Carly (Seattle, Wa Usa) on 07/06/2011
Oops - I confused you with someone else I think...so sorry!
Carly :-o
Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Cyndy (Nyc, Ny) on 10/12/2011
a good ole apple a day will keep the constipation away. :)
Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Jc (Boston, Ma) on 03/07/2012
I have also experienced constipation from ACV. I read elsewhere on Earth Clinic that ACV is high in potasium and potasium can draw out fluids. My holistic doctor told me he has had a few other patients give him this feedback.
He suggested taking additional magnesium and of course drinking more water. I stopped the ACV but I now will start up with this knowledge in mind.
Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Emily (Alameda, Ca) on 06/02/2012
You do NOT want to brush your teeth until a half hour to an hour after you are done drinking ACV as your enamel is too soft until then. Once you have given it time, the enamel will harden again in which it is safe to brush your teeth :D
Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Glen (Toronto, On) on 06/28/2012
To neutalize any acidic substance in your mouth to protect your teeth, swish immediately with a mix of 1/4 tsp of aluminum-free baking Soda (such as Bob's Red Mill) in a few ounces of water and spit if you don't want the neutalizing effect in your stomach.
Learned this the hard way after I developed 5 cavities (nusiances but expensive and also expensive to maintain) while under medical care for extreme nausea caused by Vertigo. Unfortunately the paramedics and nursing staff in our hospital's emergency department didn't know that stomach bile is very acidic. This can also be beneficial to anyone who is addicted to those vile acidic dark colas :)
Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Leah (Orlando, Florida) on 06/28/2011
I am a great follower of your website. I actually started taking apple cider vinegar for about a year and have had great benefits from it. It has definitly helped improve my acne by detoxifying. Unfortunetly, for the past few months I have been noticing a pungent smell from my vagina. It actually kind of smells like the ACV. I stopped taking the ACV for a few days and the smell went away. When I started it again the smell came back again. I tried taking less and using baking soda with 8 oz of water, but it has not worked. I wanted to know if the ACV is throwing off my ph level causing the smell or maybe I'm not drinking enough water? I really don't want to give up the ACV. Please help. Leah
Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Sparkygirl (Melbourne, Australia) on 06/07/2011
Hi - can anyone tell if ACV causes thrush? I got thrush and a sore tongue (which wasn't thrush) at the same time I commenced taking ACV for general pain, but I was also taking antibiotics at the time which I know can cause thrush. The sore tongue seemed to be solved by rinsing my mouth with water straight after drinking ACV. I know ACV is also supposed to help with thrush but it obviously didn't with me. Thanks for your help!
Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Danae (Munich, Bavaria) on 07/06/2011
Hi Leah, Try to reduce the ACV and stopp at intervalls e.g. once every week - do not take it. Check what intervall works for you. As ACV plays with the pH level in our body I found as well that it 'stopped' working at some point and I think it might be that the blood pH is now adjustedn and the ACV works now 'counterproductive'. Perhaps Ted could look into the 'science' of this phenomena as a lot of people here report similar feelings that it works a while and than it stopps... However, I found that once I stopp for a week I can take it in reduced quantities... Check it out. Hope it helps. For the smell in general research - Chlorophyl - liquid or dragee --- it works amazing for any body smell --- eg. I use it when eating garlic and it is extraordinary. Question for Ted on EarthClinique: How can one insure to keep the write pH level in the body not overdo or underdo with the AC so that the stomach acids are not getting out of balance. Thanks.
Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Leah (Orlando, Florida) on 07/07/2011
Thanks Danae! I will keep trying. I really don't want to give up the acv.
Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Linda (Omaha, Ne) on 06/06/2011
I wanted to let you know that just yesterday I consumed 1/8 cup of ACV in a pitcher of water throughout the day; not all at once. It was ACV, that's all I ever buy. This morning I woke up with a burning stomach so bad I was doubled over. The last time that happened was when I overdosed on pasta sauce (acidic food) The only food I ate yesterday was mostly veggies, salad and cantaloup. Therefore I am under the conclusion that the ACV is acidic in my body; not alkaline. Would you agree Ted? By the way, the fastest cure is to down a cup of green water (chloryphil & spirulina) which stops the burning within about 10 minutes; took me about 3 shots to do the trick.
Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Zarka (Dubai, Uae ) on 06/04/2011
Please TED, tell me, when I use the nor ACV, my weight, and the buffness of body disappred and I was happy, after that I found organic with mother ACv, and started taking it, it had Acidic Reflux, unberable, go to Dr.took medicine, then started using again, now instead of weight going down it's increasing, and I feel my body is swelling on fingers, face like I feel uneasy - tell me why.
Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Courtney (Granite Bay, Ca) on 06/05/2011
Perhaps you should return to using the non-organic ACV then.
I had a similar situation. I was taking regular ACV for reflux and high blood pressure with great results. When I switched to the organic brand, everything returned! (The reflux, etc. ) I went back to using the regular ACV and haven't had a problem since.
Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Karen (Lawrenceburg, Ky) on 09/27/2011
ACV is known to get rid of toxins. I was wondering if it can also get rid of other nutrients in the system when taken with other supplements, such as a vitamin c powder. I believe it only gets rid of actual toxins and not nutrients, but there's conflicting stories. Do you think it could pull out my other beneficial supplemental nutrients? If so, do you think it'd be ok to separate when I take them, so they're not too close together? Thank you! ~Karen
Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Umm (Madina, Saudi Arabia) on 05/06/2011
I take ACV sometimes just for the health benefits. I do not have high blood pressure. I notice I feel very tired sometimes and dont know what it is. I was tested for diabetes but it came out negative. Anyway, 2 weeks ago, I was too lazy to measure out 1-2 TBS of the ACV to be drank with apple juice, so I just poured it in the juice and gulped it down. It must be up to 3-5TBS. 2 days later, I went to the doctors to get my monthly prescription of iron capsules as I was diagnosed with anaemia. It turned ut my BP was low. And this explained why I used to be tired. SO, I'm assuming the "overdose" of ACV I take sometimes is the culprit. I was told to eat more salt and lie down with a pillow under my feet for a short time everyday, for the blood to be able to flow to my head. The tiredness has reduced greatly. But I have stopped taking ACV except for topical use on my hair and my skin.
Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Diamond (Salisbury, Ma.usa) on 05/06/2011
I would think that it be mentioned that any one with low blood.......... Or anemic or even having lack of iron should be very careful of taking ACV very small dosages or none at all. Also I found that 90% of iron pills have isopropyl alcohol in them which will thin the blood, so read all ingredients(labels)before mixing other items, or even considering taking them. We are our own advocates, our safety and wellness is up to us. I read things then go on to other messages as they may have additional information we all need, or just fits your needs. Meaning what you take I may be allergic to it ok? good luck
Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Sp (Gc, Ci) on 04/17/2011
Does regular use of ACV result in Vitamin B12 deficinecy or any other kind of anemia? I used to take 2 tsp in a big glass of water twice a day earlier and later reduced it to once a day, 5 days a week. it has been nearly 2 years I have been drinking it. I feel good and it has helped me with my food allergies. But wonder if it is bad with the absoption of Vitamin B12 as the stomach acidity is reduced by consuming of ACV, which is necessary for absorption of Vitamin B12. Has anyone else experienced this and if so, should I totally stop consuming ACV or reduce the quantity even further? Thanks.
