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.
Warts
Posted by Tone (Los Angeles, CA) on 10/10/2008
★★★★★

I have had warts on my right hand for years. I tried treating them with commercial products, and they would work for a while, but the warts would always come back (and invite a few more to join them!). I stumbled upon ACV as a natural way to treat warts and decided to try it. The first attempt on my thumb was a learning experience...I put too much on and it lifted all of the skin off and made it raw and sore. After that, I kept the cotton and ACV only on the wart area with a bandaid, and it has worked incredibly well. After a couple of days the wart will turn black, then die away. It's a miracle considering how many years and the amount of money that I spent trying to rid myself of them.

Warts
Posted by Dan (Myrtle Beach, Sc, Usa) on 01/03/2011
★★★★★

YES!! My wife had some SERIOUS warts on her one leg that she refused to freeze off because it hurt and would blister so bad. She had it for years and they grossed me out. I wouldn't touch that leg. I read here about ACV working great on warts and she soaked small pieces of paper towel and held them in place with bandaids for 2 days and the big suckers turned black and then disappeared with only SOME burning! She was thrilled! Her leg still looks great 4 months later. She did the same thing on her daughter's hand, which had a few moderate warts, and the same thing happened. FANTASTIC!! I wish I could get my wife to drink it for her allergies, colds/sinuses, menstrual cycles, eczema and asthma, but she just cant get past the smell and taste. I am looking into pills for her so we'll see...


Acid Reflux
Posted by Debbie (Waverly, United States) on 09/03/2008
★★★★★

Apple Cider Vinegar has been a miracle for my mother. She has been suffering terribly from acid reflux and it was so bad the other night she felt like she could not breath. She has tried every medication over the counter and prescription and nothing has worked. She was desperate, so I thought I would look up some natural cures and found this site. I called her right away and told her about the apple cider vinegar. She tried it right away and she could not believe it. She said immediatley her throat felt better and she slept all night for the first time in weeks. She took it agian today and said she still feels great. She said she has not even taken a pill today. She used 8oz of water and a Tb. Apple cider Vinegar and a pinch of baking soda. Thanks for this site. Its a life saver. Debbie


Sinus Infections and Sinusitis
Posted by Rob (Justice, IL) on 06/24/2008
★★★★★

APPLE CIDER VINEGAR AND SINUS RINSE....I SPEAK FROM EXPERIENCE---I'VE HAD 4 SINUS SURGERIES DUE TO A DEVIATED SEPTUM, FOLLOWED BY SURGERIES TO REMOVE POLYPS... I WOULD HAVE ALLERGIES IT SEEMED YEAR ROUND.. I HAVE BEEN USING THE ACV FOR ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF, ALONG WITH DOING A DAILY SINUS RINSE (YOU CAN BUY AT ANY POPULAR DRUG STORE). I HAVE NOT HAD ONE SINUS PROBLEM SINCE-----THE ACV KEEPS THE ALLERGIES AT BAY, WHILE THE RINSE FLUSHES OUT ANY POLLENS OR DUST, ETC... IF I WOULD HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THIS 8 YRS AGO, I WOULD NOT HAVE HAD 3 SINUS SURGERIES...

Iodine Depletion
Posted by Lana (Ormond, USA) on 11/13/2007
★★★★★

Ingesting ACV has long been used for medical treatment and is sometimes very effective.. HOWEVER, one should also take an iodine supplement, such as kelp tablets or kelp extracts while using this therapy. Extended ACV consumption can remove iodine from the body, and can result in thyroid problems. (Salt also causes the same problems which is why commercial salt has added iodine.) I learned all this back in the early 1970's, and have not found this important information on iodine/ACV interaction in any articles or books recently. However I have not covered your entire site. So in case no one has mentioned this yet, it really needs to be addressed.

Flus and Colds
Posted by Nancy (Arlington, TX)
★★★★★

I have been real sick with a viral infection and flu my neighbor fixed me some Apple Cider Vinegar and Honey. Equal parts of each. It has worked wonders. It cuts the phlegm in your throat and helps with all that was ailing me. I am so glad to find out about this. I also heard that cinnamon with it works wonders as well. Just a teaspoon or so. Thank you and God Bless.

EC: 8 Readers have found success by drinking apple cider vinegar (diluted or straight) the moment they started to feel ill and continuing to take it until all symptoms subsided. (24 - 48 hours).

See our other, "Beat the Flu!" remedies.


Fungus
Posted by Jacky (USA)
★★★★★

My husband had a fungus under his skin in the abdomen and drank 3-5 tablespoons of ACV each day and it cleared up in no time at all. Since the doctor could not explain or cure his problem, I have a theory. My husband had been on a lot of different antibiotics over the past several years for some issues he had and the antibiotics messed up his immune system where he contracted this fungus. Thanks be unto God for ACV!

EC: Read many more fungus remedies here.


Ulcers
Posted by William (Las Vegas, NV)
★★★★★

It just stopped the the abdominal pain caused by my stomach ulcer. I thought I might have to go on antibiotics. I guess I won't.

Varicose Veins
Posted by Catherine (Nairobi, Kenya)
★★★★★

[she has, to her amazement, found her varicose veins disappearing after taking apple cider vinegar daily!]

Varicose Veins
Posted by Elma (UK)
★★★★★

After having my children 'I had a distended vien between my legs, to one side. I suddenly noticed it had gone after taking cider vinegar for about three months, twice a day.

EC: Click here for more varicose vein cures.


Apple Cider Vinegar and pH Balance
Posted by Lynn Greene (Canada) on 05/28/2023

Yes. I have had gut problems for over 15 years. I started taking apple cider vinegar and got worse, instant diarrhea, stomach pain - very terrible. I ordered the book: The Bloated Belly Whisperer by Tamara Duker Freuman, MS. RD, CDN (Crazy title name, for sure). She recommended NO vinegar, and soluble fibre (acacia -) and had lots to say about many gut problems. I have no association with her or her books. Her suggestions helped me a great deal.


Apple Cider Vinegar and pH Balance
Posted by Bill (Norton, Va) on 11/10/2012

I am writing to clarify some statements broadly made on this site. Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is composed of 5% acetic acid with a pH of 3 clearly making vinegar acidic rather than alkaline. The pH would need to be higher than 7 in order for the vinegar to be alkaline and then it would not be vinegar, it would be sodium or potassium acetate and would likely do little for those of us taking it other than possibly elevating blood pressure that might be caused by the increased levels of sodium.

Capsules
Posted by Zolton (Solon, Ohio) on 05/15/2014
★★★★★

I have been using ACV for years and it does work. I suggest people to buy it in capsule form at your local drug store or online.


Bitter Taste and Sometimes Exceedingly Acidic
Posted by Dcaplinger (Southwest Missouri, Usa) on 08/06/2016

If you turn the acidic ACV into a base tonic, it's much easier to take. I usually mix 1/8 cup of ACV with a full teaspoon of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), plus 1/2 to 1 full cup of water makes it so much easier to take. It waters down the bitterness, and the bicarb completely neutralizes the acidity. To me, when I drink this mix, I taste baking soda more than I do the ACV, and there is very little after taste. Always be sure to follow it up with at least 1/2 cup of water, or you are going to start burping because of the mixing of the baking soda with your stomach acids.


Heating ACV
Posted by Mama To Many (Tennessee) on 08/05/2016

Dear Robert Henry,

Thank you for letting me know about the temperature at which enzymes would be destroyed! I love that I can learn something new at EC (and everywhere!) every day.

~Mama to Many~


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...


Dental Enamel Issues
Posted by Carolina (Chicago) on 03/25/2014

From what I know "acidity of undiluted apple cider vinegar may destroy tooth enamel when sipped orally" and this is exactly what happened to me. Maybe for someone it works, but not for everybody. People like me that have thin teeth do not have a very big tooth enamel cover and it affects it very fast.

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 Karen S (Canada) on 10/22/2013

It matters very much if the "mother" is with the vinegar, I'm afraid. I know that even using clear Apple Cider Vinegar will still give you a nice complexion. However, the amazing wonderous enzymes that exist in the "mother" are what heals us. Maybe that's why they call it that.


Broad Benefits
Posted by Cat (Austin, Tx) on 02/05/2016

Comment on 'lovin the buttermilk but not losing weight'

Rama - I noticed you said you can't lose weight despite the fact that you are a fitness person. Suggestion: Eat full fat buttermilk or not at all -- better for you because of more nutrients! But, you may possibly have a milk intolerance (many people from your part of the world do) and your body protects you by keeping you full of fluids (food sensitivities can do this). I suggest going a week with no milk products (ice cream, cheese, milk & buttermilk...) and see if that makes a difference. OR, perhaps your body is getting too many carbs from the usual sources (rice, wheat, corn...) Remember this: It is not fat that makes us fat but way too many carbohydrates. Lower your carbs just for 1 week to between 70-100 a day and see how you feel and if your weight recedes. If it does, you have your culprit! Tally your carbs on-line or get a good carb-counting book. Love & Happiness...CAT


Broad Benefits
Posted by Marie (Seattle ) on 11/18/2018

Hi, it sounds like the vinegar you're using is working well. But if you can find raw apple cider vinegar I'd also try that. If not, go with what you can find! ;


ACV and Breastfeeding
Posted by Mama To Many (Middle, Tennessee, Usa) on 06/15/2013

Yes, it is safe. I took it all through my last two pregnancies and drank it daily (mixed with water) all through breastfeeding my babies.

~Mama to Many~


General Feedback
Posted by Matin (UK) on 08/16/2013

Hi Tracy, The white lines in the sky are called chemtrails and will cause sneezing itchy eyes, tiredness and lessen the effects of the ACV.

Chemtrails in our skies, GMOs in our foods, radiation and oil spills in our seas, micro waves from mobile phones and Wi-Fi in our air, and now Gas fracking leaking toxic chemicals in to our natural water systems more and more Pharmaceutical vaccines and toxic drugs in our blood, trees cut down to take away our oxygen, and all this is going on in our world today. PLEASE join the dots and the domino's should start to fall that there is a depopulation going on right now in our world, PLEASE WAKE UP those of us that are awake Invite you all to stop taking the blue pill, the blissful ignorance of illusion TV and main stream media and take the red pill embracing the sometime painful truth of reality. Taking the red pill means switching of your tell e vision because that's what they are doing and that's why they call them programs to program you. One week on the internet checking out information on these topics will open your eyes to the real world the you are living in. Home work to help you wake up.

1) Agenda 21
2) What in the world are they spraying full version
3) Why in the world are they spraying.
4) Geoengineering Destroying Our Atmosphere (Rosalind Peterson) Chemtrails & Light bulbs exposed.
5) Barrie Trower 1-13 Microwave Radiation
6) Illuminati and the CFR (Myron C Faga
7) Nasa: The end of mankind "Leaked document 2013. The most important

Positive News in our fight for a better future.

1) oppt-in One People Public Trust also known as I UV This should help to wake you up.
Oppt-in "Foreclosing all Governments Banks and corporations worldwide and set us free From debt, releasing us from this slave system that we were living under.
2) Keshe Imperial Collage (London) Offering free energy to the world and signing up courtiers to a peace treaty for a better world to live in. Is now working with oppt-in / I UV.
3) Thrive (Full version) and how it could be.
4) There are lots of thing you can do to make the changes.
5) Write to police force to report a crime against humanity every time you see chemtrails in the sky above you. Write letters, e-mail , or phone calls.
6) There are lots of Global movements you could get involved with.
7) Go on the Global march against Chemtrails on the 25 August 2013.
8) Pass on information to all, print of flyers and put up where you can.

This planet belongs to all of us not just the 1% and we need to take it back.

Peace Love and Freedom to All


How to Take
Posted by Leehofook (Plainville, Ct) on 01/15/2012

I did the obvious: I mixed the apple cider vinegar (ACV) with apple cider. It gives the cider a great kick and makes it a fantastic drink, and you don't even notice the apple cider vinegar going down!


Recipes
Posted by Veerybird (Hobe Sound, Fl) on 08/06/2011
★★★★★

I have discovered a great recipe for taking the ACV. I have always taken it with 1/2 juice and 1/2 water in my 24 oz water bottle with 2-3 Tbs. of ACV. That works for the faint of heart: I even got my kids to start taking it. I also carefully measure out a strong flavored juice in a wine glass and add the ACV. That is a great way to get it down. The best recipe that is healthiest and easy to travel with is 24 oz. of water, 2-3 Tbs. of ACV, and blueberry tea. I buy the True Blueberry from Celestial Seasonings and it has plenty of flavor. No "sugar" if you like sour things. Just make up the water and ACV then add a tea bag. Many people think that tea must be hot but it will steep fine in a few minutes. I tried it with Tazo Passion Tea (which I love) but it didn't work.


Detox
Posted by Aumber (Palm Springs, Ca) on 10/17/2010
★★★★★

Hi everyone, Just wanted to say no matter what detox or program you are doing, (ACV is very good) if your BM is not good then nothing is going to work as well as it should. If your colon is clean you hold much less toxins and anything you do will work much better. I use 1 Tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar with 1/4 teaspoon baking soda & about 2 Tablespoons of honey mixed with 16oz. of water (tap temp.)not cold. I do this once a day. I am doing Oil Pulling and find this to help (empty colon) in the effects of OPing. Good luck to all and we are all so lucky to have this site, best one around. Have a great day.


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!



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