Apple Cider Vinegar Treatment for Acid Reflux

Does anyone know how long it takes for the apple cider vinegar to work on acid reflux? I have tried it for a couple of days and it has not helped, thank you.

Dear Honeybee,

Usually apple cider vinegar works quite quickly for acid reflux. If it is not working you may need another remedy or have something more serious going on.

Apple cider vinegar worked for reflux for me for years, but I had an underlying gall bladder issue. Eventually apple cider vinegar no longer helped. Over several months, I did four gall bladder flushes and got out the stones. No more reflux/heartburn issues.

~Mama to Many~

I put a tablespoon of it in about 7 oz of tart cherry juice that I was already taking for some heel pain, and I can barely taste the ACV. Guess you need to mix it w/ something of your choice .

The reason that the ACV made you feel nauseous could be that you are Salicylate Intolerant. I am. I am allergic to aspirin. Aspirin is a salicylate. It comes from the bark of the willow tree. All plants produce salicylates as a natural insecticide. So I am allergic to all fruit except bananas n peeled pears, most vegetables, coffee, tea, all vinegar ( except rice and malt) olive oil (I can have canola n sunflower oil) Mints, almonds and especially tomato sauce. So for my acid reflux I take 1/2 tsp baking soda in 1/2 glass water at night. After I gave up salicylates in two days all my symptoms were all better: migraines, dizziness, nausea, asthma, arthritis, dry eyes, nosebleeds and foggy headed feeling. A good book about this is "Salicylate Intolerance and The Healthier I Ate the Sicker I Got".

I will probably look into the test for the pylori bacteria in stomach and the pills with hydrochloric acid sounds plausible too.

I was diagnosed with GERD a couple of yrs back.. The first thing the Dr. wanted me to do was to get on meds and quit all of my fave foods and drinks... NO..... So I did research, saw so many positive reviews for ACV... Tried it... Felt like gagging... So I switched to ACV tablets... You can find them in every heath store and even WalMart for only a couple of bucks... This has been a heaven send... I have been GERD free for yrs...naturally.

I like to Thank everyone for sharinig their experiences and remedies. I was diagnosed with gerd 3 weeks ago. Was given prescription version of pepacid, didn't seem to get better, got worse started feeling sharp pains when I ate certain foods, which never happened before. I felt hopeless at 26 yr. Because for the most part I've been healthy and active all my life. Researched alot of sites and saw positive reviews for ACV and almonds for heartburns, decided to try it and through the grace of God have been feeling much better and even have started slowly to eat some of the normal foods that arent recommended for those with gerd. I started taking a yoga class and got a chiropractic massage. Little by little im slowing improving. I will keep everyone in my prayers for a full recovery.

Michelle! I'm another Michelle from NYC, also 26, also diagnosed this summer (with LPR/silent reflux). I feel slightly better knowing there are two of us. ;)

I've made insane dietary changes. I have basically been reduced to smoothies and basic non-acidic foods. I drink green smoothies with banana and also 2 tablespoons of olive oil each morning/night, followed by a combo of honey and tumeric paste. The olive oil is anti-inflammatory and helps sooth the throat, though my symptoms are less about soreness and more about the lump-in-throat feeling and excess mucus.

I take ginger, garlic, and echinacea pills each day, drink tons of water, and have started light dance classes again to relieve stress. Since being diagnosed my anxiety has gone through the roof (long process of not knowing what it was/being misled by doctors/being misdiagnosed and put on the wrong meds... horrible summer) and that doesn't help the healing process.

My mother had some version of this at my age and she recommended the ACV. I am now drinking 3 cups of water with 2 TBSP per day, and 90% of my symptoms are gone including pain in my throat and the burning sensation in my chest after eating. I hope that's enough relief for my body to start healing--but I don't plan to change my diet back to normal any time soon.

I did buy one awesome book that shed so much light on this condition for me, and has a ton of GERD/LPR friendly recipes that are really delicious. It's called "Dropping Acid" and it's a cookbook/text book. Easy for people who aren't scientists to understand exactly what's going on inside of them.

I know how miserable this condition is (I work in nightlife and fashion, and it's made me feel like an isolated lab experiment). Good luck to everyone. Xx

ACV can not cure acid reflux. It makes it worse. I personally expericed it. It makes the buring sensation even worse. Indigestion is due to low acid in the stomach so ACV may help. Acid Reflux is the opposite, too much acid in the stomach, ACV is really bad for it.

I was unexpectedly diagnosed with silent reflux after going to an ENT for a regular voice checkup in August of this year '11. (I'm a singer) I was also just beginning to see a little blood when I brushed my teeth in the morning. All this time I thought the bleeding came from my gums not my esophagus. He diagnosed it as a severe case of acid reflux and put me on a high dosage of Lansoprazole (before meals) and Ranitidine (bedtime).

After about a week I began to develop symptons e.g. numbness in fingers, high heart rate etc. Someone introduced me to "Dropping Acid- The Reflux diet Cook book and Cure" by Koufman, Stern & Bauer. The book gives the acid and ph levels of many foods so I followed their guidelines. I eventually dropped the medication for symptoms stopped and I was afraid the meds may have a detrimental effect. The book is absolutely wonderful!! I plan to stick with this regiment for the rest of my life. I have never felt better and I am losing weight without trying. It revealed not only the usual culprits e.g. caffeine, chocolate, tomatoes etc. but also revealed less known culprits such as peppermint, carbonated drinks and sometimes cucumbers (depending upon your personal makeup) Everyone's toleration is at different levels when eating certain borderline foods such as cucumbers. I determined cucumbers were not good for me during this healing stage because it was the only thing I ate one evening and then side effects occurred that night.

I had a setback last week when I travelled out of town for 4 days. I ate airport food and my host's food. I had just started Mag Relax (powder form), which is great by the way, for muscle spasms and didn't realize it was loaded with acid. I also failed to follow the directions to mix with 'cold' water instead of room temperature. Yesterday, the old acid symptoms returned again. Lesson learned.... know the content of your vitamin supplements and prepare for out of town trips.

Thru my previous victory, I am still so very encouraged that I and many others can beat this! The jury is still out on ACV. I've tried it off and on. Some say to drink it diluted WITH a meal while others say to drink in the morning or in between meals. Again, I need a scientific explanation to fully embrace the idea.

Thank you all for your postings. This site is wonderful!

Erika

Erika, I had a quick read of the reviews of the book you mentioned. I don't think they are giving you the right advice at all. Acid Reflux is caused by a LACK of acid in your stomach not too much acid. If as told in the book you eat lots of alkaline foods you are still not fixing the problem. If you don't have enough acid in your stomach the acid won't be able to digest the foods properly and your body won't be able to absorb nutrients properly.

Iodine regulates acid in your stomach. You are probably deficient in iodine and that is why you have a problem in the first place. Iodine is needed by the whole body. Deficiencies cause many many problems including acid reflux.

Google Dr. Flechas on youtube talking about the lack of iodine and how it relates to stomach acid. The lack of iodine is what causes the throat cancers and stomach cancers according to Dr. Flechas. It also causes endometrial cancer (which starts off as endometriosis)...

The reason ACV works is because it puts back acid into the stomach which helps digest the food. It then breaks down to an alkaline after digestion but it still doesn't fix the deficiency. The same with lemons. Google "why stomach acid is good for you"...

You will get lots of problems down the track if you don't fix what sounds like an iodine deficiency.

If the author Dr. Kaufmann has been studying reflux for decades why does she not mention iodine deficiency or that reflux is caused by a lack of stomach acid?

Let me clarify the following for you: "ACID TO TREAT AN ACID CONDITION". To begin with, imagine a valve that separates your stomach acid from your esophagus. Now suppose I were to tell you that mother nature designed your body in a such a way THAT THE OPENING AND CLOSING OF THIS VALVE IS CONTROLLED BY THE PH LEVEL OF YOUR STOMACH. That is, when you are hungry and about to eat, your stomach secretes a lot of HCL acid in order to digest your food. This valve actually stays shut if the PH level of your stomach is very acidic thus preventing acid from damaging the upper portion of your body. If you do not secrete enough stomach acid (some people are born with this condition) then the acidity level in your stomach is not sufficient to keep this valve properly shut. The results is GERD.

SOLUTION: Take the stomach acid test to determine if you secrete enough HCL acid. If it is always to low then that is the cause of your GERD and you should consider taking HCL Betaine supplements. Believe me I use to have GERD although not as severe as you and when I consumed HCL betaine capsules, I immediately felt that suddenly there is no large amount of mucous being constantly secreted inside my throat. Also I notice that my tongue always stays red instead of always being coated with this white mucous stuff. That is how I know that ACID can treat an ACID condition. Hope that helps you! Mike

When someone suffers from an acid reflux type condition it seems that it is nearly always assumed that they have too much acid in their stomach, but this is not always the case. I suffered from digestive problmes for 2 1/2 years (I am only 22), and yes, that acidic feeling in my stomach, and acid coming up my esophagus. I saw two different doctors and both gave me acid inhibiting medication- exact opposite of what I needed! I researched on my own and found that the symptoms of too much acid are very similar to those of not enough stomach acid production (Hypochloridia).

I immediately stopped taking acid reducers, and modified my diet, I started eating small meals, trying to chew food very well (to ease digestion), and reduced foods that were hard to digest (especially nuts), and those which promote bad bacteria growth- I. E. Sugar. These along with a few other changes majorly improved my digestive health, normalized my appetite and helped me to feel better in general. You should get some kind of a test to find out conclusively what is the problem, and if it is low acid production the things I mentioned along with digestive enzymes, etc. Should help out a lot. -More acid may be exactly what you need!

Noahthree,

I am also a singer. I use my talents often, especially at school, churches and benefit concerts. I was also diagnosed with GERD. Mine was diagnosed as to from too much eating, caffeine cunsuption, etc. They also discovered that the lower esophageal sphincter to my stomach is erroded, so it won't close. That is what is causing my GERD. In the exam, the DRs giving me the exam, said that they had NEVER seen GERD react as fast as mine - the moment it hit my stomach, up went the acid. I did Prilosec, Zantac, etc. I was still having GERD while on those meds. I then did research on ACV. It's harsh but I don't have any issues with GERD when I take it. So much cheaper and it's better for you.

Also, I ruptured my vocal chords when I wasn't diagnosed with pneumonia for 12 weeks and from all the coughing caused the rupture. I thought that I would have problems with ACV and my voice but that hasn't happened. I just feel better taking ACV. This stuff is amazing. I know that this sounds ridiculous and made up but it isn't. I really hope that this helps with your questions and concerns...

I just did a test with apple cider vinegar (ACV). One tall glass with 2T of ACV. When I drank the first have my PH read 6.75. Then I down the last half and put the PH strip under my tounge where my saliva comes out so I am testing the saliva and not the liquid that remained on my tongue. The result was 7.25.

When I first was experimenting with an Alkaline diet with PH drops, I had acid reflux. My PH pointed to alkaline, but I couldn't hold my food down. I was in England at the time and I thought it was the over priced British cuisine (ie hot dog stand) turns out you guys are right, it is due to too much alkalinity not acidity.

A lot of professionals say a lot of weird things or just don't know. Sometimes I have to google the answers for my doctor so they would stop arguing with me. Proof is in the PH strip not always in our common logic.

Seems like I must have ate something bad because I can't get my saliva PH to go up. Neither apple cider vinegar (ACV) or baking soda could get it to go up.

Mike from Montreal, Try half a tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar (the one sold at health food stores) in a glass of water half hour before you eat. I read this in the book Take Control of your health and Escape the Sickness Industry by Elaine Hollingsworth, her website is www.Doctorsaredangerous.com My husband had the same problem and the first time he took it the cure was immediate.

I used ACV to stop symptoms but when a specialist investigated my oesophagus with a gastroscopy I was found to have a badly ulcerated oesophagus. So the ACV masked the symptoms but did not actually prevent damage to this area in my case. Just be careful.

I have bad heartburn for past 7yrs and I just started to take Apple Cider Vinegar, you need to mix it will water, do not take it straight up. I mix mine with gatorade and taste and works good for me. Hope it works for you .

I put 2 tsp Apple Cider Vinegar for every 8oz of gatorade or 2tsp, 1 tsp raw honey , and 8oz water. Buy the organic Apple cider vinegar. Only $3.89 at Lucky's or Safeway.

It's a bug which the doctor should be giving you antibiotics or else try Turmeric a few times daily. If it does not work, it may be the splinter muscle at the top of stomach which needs to be tightened with operation as if untreated maybe very dangerous as it may cause bigger problems and more serious later.

If you have H. Pylori, ACV will NOT kill it. It's a bacteria that over half the world's population has in their stomachs. Many people have no problem. However, if you have symptoms, it can drill ( H. Pylori is corkscrew shaped) through the thick mucus lining in the stomach and cause an ulcer. A 2 week treatment with 2 antibiotics and bismith (the ingredient in Pepto) usually eliminates the problem. You would need to balance the severity of your symptoms with the treatment for this since the antibiotics can cause problems of their own.

A simple blood test will determine if you have this bacteria in a sufficient quantity to warrant treatment. A discussion with your PCP would be in order to make the best individual decision on the proper treatment.

Hope this helps!

I have the same problem as you and I was wondering if you drank just the Apple Cider Vinegar alone? I want to try it but I'm on prilosec can you take them together?

I've had acid reflux since 2006. I've tried ACV last year it gave relief but I was losing weight so I stopped. Lately I've been on it again 2 tbs ACV and glass of water(300ml)after very meal. About 4 days ago I stumbled into your site. I'm on my 3rd day now on 2tbs of ACV and 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda 2x a day on an empty stomach. Can I still take ACV after very meal or will it be too much ACV for 1 day already? Hope to get a reply. Thanks

Hi Ted It's me again. I'm on my 4th day of ACV and BS. Last nite I began to experience heartburn chest pains and throat irritation that I had difficulty to eat and couldn't burp. Before that I drank a glass of berry and apple juice. An hour later heartburn began. Not sure if the juice was the cause. After a little dinner at 7pm I drank 2 tbs of ACV to gain relief at 11pm I had difficulty sleeping as I couldn't burp like something is stuck in my throat I can taste the acid in my mouth. Anyway after just 4 hrs of sleep today 4th day I drank 2tbs of ACV and 1/4 teaspoon of BS. It gave relief but still couldn't burp. 1 hr later I ate a light breakfast of chicken rice soup then drank 2tbs of ACV. I'm little bit ok though tired probably for lack of sleep. Please tell me if I'm doing something wrong. I'm really tired. Hope to hear from you. Thanks

You need to burp after drinking baking soda water? Simply dilute it in VERY warm water. Let the burping begin! :-)

Hello to Eryn of IL (6/28/2010). After scrolling through the posts, stumbling upon yours gave me a ray of hope and a lead. Also make my living with my voice (broadcasting). About nine months ago began experiencing hoarseness and the symptoms you described. As I have bad asthma, I at first thought this was related to it. Did go to see a laryngologist who said it might be acid reflux but didn't do much explaining and sent me on my way with an Rx for two weeks of antacids. Didn't help. My pulmonologist dismissed the hoarseness and the reflux diagnosis and said it was post nasal drip doing that to me. This bit of advice derailed me and kept me suffering for another five months. Eventually found a great allergologist who was interested in what I had to say about the hoarseness. Said it wasn't asthma doing that anymore. Suggested reflux and requested that I get a barium swallow. He also said the reflux is most likely aggravating the asthma. I got online to do some extra research and found your post. Plan to see another laryngologist to evaluate damage to larynx but will also try the ACV to see how it will help me begin speaking properly again. I don't expect the results to be immediate as I don't yet know the extent of the damage to my larynx, if any, but hope to get better. Will also lay off the coffee and spicy foods first (sob! ). I hope this post will help others out there with my symptoms who are unsure what to make of them. Look up laryngopharyngeal reflux and asthma.

Try blackstrap molasses organic for your throat. Put it in the fridge and lick a full tsp when your throat feels locked. Worked for me.

Maybe this helps you..... doing some research on health books on Amazon I came across two books on acid reflux.... maybe worth reading.... I haven't read them so I have no idea of what they suggest!

Those gerd meds are terrible things from what I have read...They keep you from digesting anything...which means you are not getting much nutrition out of the foods you eat.

If you had been off the meds for months, and been okay...well, doesn't it stand to reason that you may have picked up some kind of a flu bug?

Personally, I think that that specialist isn't all that special. I would look for a more forward thinking doctor if I were you. Best of luck Joanne!

Joanne, Been on meds for 20 years. I started taking half the meds 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda with the 2 Tablespoons of ACV and 8oz. water after every meal and take a ginger capsule once a day. Try introducing everything slowly. Some people are giving up too quick. Aloe drink might help. Good luck.

Hi.. back again. I figured out what set off my attack. I was taking some eye vitamins. They are a good product and my eye dr. liked them..He is great and hates those gerd pills...Well, I really got sick with my intestines etc...I read the replies and decided tonight to start on my unpurfied acv again before bed. I have had an ultra sound of my gut..seems spasms and stress...I am having the stomach test where they put the camera down me...I have done alot of reading. anyone hear about orange peel extract for gerd...cant use with uclers tho. Acidophilus I read is supposed to be good for gerd too. I read about breathing with abs area too. I know the vinegar worked for me before. I started drinking it in june of 09...Then I reached a point I didnt drink it all..I thought I was cured. This last sunday, when I took the eye vit, it burned. And it was then when it hit me....What had I changed in may...today is the first day of no eye vit, and I am drinking my vinegar as I type this out.

I want to thank you for responding to me. I am not going to say much to the specialist when I see him. Someone just suggested let your primary doctor know and leave it at that.. I dont understand why so many allopath drs refuse to believe in anything but pills.

In response to... "I dont understand why so many allopath drs refuse to believe in anything but pills."

it's all about the money.

Because without Pills doctors and Pharmacy will be out of business. Who will pay for there million dollar homes and Mercedes-Benz? I have had bad heartburn for past 7yrs now. Been taking all sorts of heartburn medicine. It just relieves the pain but I feel other problems with fatigue and joints hurting problems.

I just started taking ACV with Gatorade or 2tsp Apple Cider Vinegar with 1tsp raw honey and 8 oz of water.

I feel much better after only 4 days of taking it. I will continue to take this until all my symptoms are gone. Not all doctors out there care about patience, they only care about what health insurance you carry.

I think the best is to read true stories and testomonies about natural remedies cure and try it for yourself.

In cutting out caffeine, does that include tea? Everybody keeps saying 'coffee' - I'm a tea drinker. Is that okay with acid reflux?

Hi - I tried using the low-acid coffee and it seems to work. Maybe it will work for you too. I'm a coffeeholic so I'm pleased to be able to continue to enjoy.

Coffee can have a high acidity. I have found some coffees that note they have mild or low acidity and I am able to drink them with no aggravation to my stomach acid problem.

Hello all you coffee lovers. I thought I'd add what I found as an alternative to my beloved coffee. It's called Teeccino, and if you're like me, you'll like the Maya Cafe, dark roast. However, if you like a milder blend, try the Meditteranean blend. You brew it just like coffee and it's fabulous! And PLUS! It's good for you. :)

I have been able to have coffee without it aggravating my acid reflux by not putting milk in it anymore. I make a mix of raw almond, coconut, chia seed and hemp seed, with raw cacao blend it and then strain it and mix it with my coffee. The mix keep for 3 days in the fridge. I am so happy to be able to have coffee again.

As an ex coffee roaster, Sumatra coffee has the least amount of acid. Robusta coffee ie Folgers and other cheapish brands are usually very acidic and have 2 to 3 times more caffeine than high grown coffees.

Hi Deb from Victoria, Bc/canada!

I'm very interested in your mix of Almonds, coconut, chia and hemp. You said that you blend it and strain it? Could you give a little bit more info on how you do this exactly? Do you use a food processor? And when you strain it, does a liquid come out? How much of each do you use? Sorry for all the questions, and thanks in advance!!

~Blackened Dove