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
Posted by Joanie (Basking Ridge, Nj, Usa) on 12/31/2011
Hi, I am so happy to have found this site. I'd like to ask Ted a question. I have been diagnosed with LPR. Almost 3 months of ppi's and no improvement. I have changed my diet completely and am doing everything right. I am reading a lot about apple cider vinegar and have just begun to try it. I am also in menopause now as a 47 yo woman. I'm wondering if hormones could be playing with my LES. Thank you for any advice. I cannot stand living with this lump in my throat anymore. My gi is now saying that maybe it is just anxiety. I don't think that is it but I suppose it could be. I also have post nasal drip and when I go to bed at night, I can feel the reflux coming up into my throat. I have had 2 doses of ACV already and I see my throat feels better already.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Flyman32 (Walla Walla, Wa, Usa) on 10/28/2011
★★★★★
I'm 60 years old and have had severe acid reflux for years resulting in a condition called Barrett's Esophagus. I was taking a prescription drug and it was literally killing me. Couldn't work, could barely function. Not only that but it wasn't stopping the acid reflux any more. I got off that stuff and I started with ACV 2 months ago. I wanted to write here because it's working wonderfully for me. But.. I had to play around a little. I tried with just water, tasted bad and although I have NEVER had acid reflux again since I started, I got some pretty bad heartburn.
As far as the taste was concerned I read someone's post about putting it in V8 juice and I have been doing that for a while. It tastes like a bloody mary and is pretty good. But it still gave me heartburn. Finally I switched to Ted's remedy and now what I do is drink it with the V8 in morning and with baking soda at night, right before bed. I'm acid reflux AND about 98% heartburn free. Still gotta watch out for some things that make it reoccur. Also, I increased the dose to 4-5 teaspoons ACV. I mix 4oz of V8 with 4oz of water in the morning and at night I add 1 tablespoon baking soda. I will visiting my doctor so he can stick a tube down my throat if he wants I guess. Barrett's is a pre-cancerous condition and not to be allowed to progress. THANK YOU to EVERYONE who has posted here. The info here has changed my life.
Ole T,
Walla Walla, Wa
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Rg (Singapore) on 09/25/2011
Hi, Past 6 years I am going through the hurdle of Gastrics & Bloating stomach and subsequently passing the gas with strong odor. I was diagonosed by Gastric Ulcer and undergone the surgery. However my bloating and gastric issues not fixed.
I came across the Apple cider vinegar and Mastic Gum. Can anyone advise me whether I can try this? Just want to make sure not makes the situation worst.
RG
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Melissa (Florence, Arizona) on 08/17/2011
★★★★★
I am 40 years old and have had acid reflux so bad that it got into my lungs and I was misdiagnosed with COPD! I was taking 2-4 prilosec per day and still having problems. Then I saw that medicines like prilosec can cause low iron, calcium and b12 which I have had problems with for years. I wanted to find a better way.
The first day I tried the Apple Cider Vinegar for acid reflux I put about a teaspoon in 8 oz of water and drank it with dinner, which my husband accidentally made spicy! It was burning with every bite and then it stopped and I never got heartburn! Amazing love it!!
I am on day four and still no heartburn. Fantastic! I hope it continues!!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Mama To Many (Tennessee) on 11/02/2016
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~
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Dottie (Lakeville, Ma.) on 02/24/2011
★☆☆☆☆
I just started consuming raw apple cider vinegar for reflux and wondered what the difference is from using regular acv. It has been three weeks and I don't see any change. I take it 2 times a day.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Steener (Qualicum Beach, British Columbia, Canada) on 11/19/2010
Yes, it works!!! I discovered a "tweak" I am adding at the end of my little blurb. My reflux problem was fairly severe and had plagued me for about 15 years. The ACV keeps it in check and I consider myself lucky to have found this site. I started taking it about 6 months ago after reading the information on this site. I followed Ted's protocol of 5 days on; 2 days off. It took about 2 weeks to really make a difference and when I stopped taking it again, foolish thinking I was cured, it started gradually coming back. I took it regularly for several months and then tended to forget to take the regular dose. What I found works well for me is to simply take it when I remember to without serious regard to the protcol. Sometimes it is 3 times in a day, sometimes once or twice in a day - sometimes it is every day, other times there are a few days between my doses. I went on a 2 week road trip in this summer and was not able to take any for those 2 weeks. Apparently as long as I take it reasonably regularly, it works despite my not following the protocol religiously.
I would highly recommend starting Ted's protocol, then adjusting it to your body's needs. I suspect there will be variations in how it works for each individual according to age, gender, weight, metabolism and so on. Mixing the ACV 1 glass at a time is a bit of a pain, so I got myself a 1 litre jug and marked off the 75 ml (or 1/3 cup) then put 1 tsp ACV in a filled with 750 ml (3 cups) water. This way I don't have to mix so often. I found I prefer it slightly acidic as opposed to tasting the baking soda.
Now for my "tweak": I found if I pour the water in with the ACV, then add the baking soda last and slap a tight-fitting cap on before the baking soda starts to foam up. What happens is you have now created a carbonized beverage that almost (emphasis on almost) tastes good. Hope this helps you as much as it did me. My sincere Thanks to Ted. Steener from QB, Canada
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Lap1026 (So. Hadley, Ma, Usa) on 10/17/2010
★★★★★
I had acid reflux for well over a year and didn't know what it was. I came across info about apple cider vinegar online and tried it. I used it for 5 days and my acid reflux was gone!!! Since then, if I feel like the acid reflux may be starting, I just drink about 4 oz of vinegar water and I'm fine. This is a miracle cure. I never would have believed it could work so well if I hadn't tried it myself.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Chris (Lakewood, Co) on 05/27/2013
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!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Judy Mackinnon (Victoria, Bc, Canada) on 08/21/2011
It is not excess acid in the stomach that gives you acid reflux necessarily. It is the imbalance of acid/alkaline For me it ALL started after being treated for H pylori. Those dreadful antibiotics ruined the balance in my stomach. ACV seems to have really help me so far. I pray it is a cure and not just a treatment. I will stay on a diet of very small meals and the ACV for a month then.... Wait and see. Fingers crossed.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Calsunshine (La Mesa, Ca) on 09/23/2009
I have just discovered this website and the postings about apple cider vinegar and honey helping with acid reflux. I have had a little "tickle" cough for several years. It has become worse in the last couple. Two doctors have told me it is due to acid reflux which I had a HARD time believing since I rarely feel it and I rarely have heart burn. So I have been taking Nexium either in the a.m. on an empty stomach or at bedtime on an empty stomach. I'm still coughing. On the advice of another doctor I have now been taking it both morning and night for about a month and a helf. I am still coughing.
Today I picked up a bottle of organic unfiltered acv and had my first dose: 2 tsp. acv with 1 tsp honey and 8 oz water. We'll see what happens. Is it best to take it before dinner or at bedtime?
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Marie (Kingsland, Ga) on 08/18/2009
★★★★★
I am a lap-band patient for 3 yrs. The last year has been a nightmare with the acid reflux waking me in the middle of the night and feeling like I was choking to death. Sleeping on 5-6 pillows didn't help, nor did the many over the counter and prescription medicines. One night about 6 weeks ago, I googled "acid reflux" and read about the many believers in ACV. I take 1-2 TBS of organic AVC with about 1/2-3/4 cup organic apple juice every evening 30 minutes before bedtime. It works for me and I'm finally not afraid of going to sleep on 1 pillow.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Nick (New York City, NY) on 07/10/2009
★★★★★
I am a 29 year old healthy adult who has been suffering from acid reflux for as long as I can remember. I have a healthy and active lifestyle and my diet is realtively good (no read meat and only moderate chicken). I have been taking Aciphex for about a year now and have been symptom free. However, I am fully aware of the negative side effects PPIs have on the body and was direly searching for an alternative, preferably a natural one. The other day I came across this website and decided to give apple cider vinegar a try. I didn't have too much hope as I have tried many natural home remedies in the past...all without much success. I started with 2 teaspoons of ACV in 8 oz of water with a spoonful of organic honey twice a day (once in the morning on an empty stomach, and once before bed). I was surprised at how potable the mixture was. I began the ACV and stopped taking the Aciphex on Monday morning. I am overjoyed that it is now Friday and I have zero symptoms of the reflux. Prior to this, if I ran out of my medicine, I would be in excrutiating pain within 48 hours. I wouldn't call myself sured yet (I am still nervous it is going to come back), but I am amazed and excited about the results thus far. Thank you everyone for the excellent (and hopefully life changing) recommendation!!!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Steve (Memphis, TN) on 07/09/2009
★★★★★
I'm not big on natural cures, but my acid reflux was so painful for about 3 years I was willing to try anything. I was in the habit of taking Pepsid Complete every night before bed and the drug worked fine. I had no problems if I took the pill. But I decided to see if there was another alternative ... so I decided two weeks ago to give ACV a shot.
This was a difficult step for me, because I have never gone to bed without the pepsid complete for the past 3 years. To my amazement the ACV works wonders. I have only had a couple of minor issues with acid reflux this past two weeks, and amazingly I have not had in trouble at night going to bed when the reflux would really attack. I take two teaspoons per 8 ounces of water 3 times a day ... and the acid reflux is getting even better. I haven't had any issues the past two days.
Thanks to all for the suggestions ... I can tell you it worked for me. I will now browse through this site and see what else I have been missing out on.
Steve
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Jill (Albrightsville, Pennsylvania/us) on 04/02/2009
I have been using 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon of honey, and a little water about 1/2 hour before I eat breakfast. Is it supposed to be 2 tablespoons or 2 teaspoons. I read many other sites that said 2 teaspoons....
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Sherri (Los Angeles, California) on 03/14/2009
★★★★★
I suffered with severe acid reflux for several years, waking up from a sound sleep due to choking on acid in my throat! I used tagamet, tums, and Nexium. I came across a home remedy site and found out that using acv helped a lot of people. I bought some raw organic acv at the health food store and put a tablespoon in 8 ounces of water and added a tablespoon of honey and drank it. I couldn't believe that the heartburn and acid reflux just disappeared within 10 minutes after the very first drink. Not wanting the calories of the honey on a regular basis, I now leave the honey out and drink the vinegar & water through a straw to avoid getting it on my teeth. I don't understand why doctors don't suggest using acv instead of Nexium. As long as I drink the mixture twice daily, I have no problems at all and can eat anything I want. If I eat something that I know used to trigger the reflux (like chocolate or something fatty), I sometimes drink a little acv/water right after eating. This has been such a relief for me.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Michele (Dallas, TX) on 03/13/2009
★★★★★
I have a GREAT cure for acid reflux. Believe it or not, you can simply take a teaspoon of vinegar -- just regular apple cider or white vinegar. It works immediately. You would think that it would only add to the acid upset but it actually rebalances it. You'll be amazed -- and save a ton of money.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Shawna (Charleroi, PA) on 02/08/2009
★★★★☆
I am 21 years old and have been suffering with acid reflux and heartburn since I was a lot younger. I was on nexium for about 3 years and on prilosec for about 5 or more. After reading about all the harmful side affects with long use I was desperate to find a natural cure. I found this website and it is quite a blessing to me. I stoped taking prilosec completly on Feb 1st and started taking 2 teaspoons of braggs organic apple cider vinegar in 8 ounces of water the next day. The first day i took it when I woke up about a half hour before eating anything and I had no symptoms of acid reflux till yesterday. I think I messed up by taking it after I ate. I still have mild heartburn but Im willing to suffer with it and try to make this work! Any other things I should try? let me know! Thanks
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Jane (Noblesville, IN) on 07/27/2008
★★★★☆
I am, at this very moment, trying the ACV cure for Acid Reflux. I developed reflux symptoms after a greasy meal 3 months ago. I don't eat much grease and I guess it was a shock to my system. I've been on Aciphex for 3 days and today I felt worse than ever. I really do not want to take another pill so, after reading all the praises of ACV and honey, I'm giving it a shot. I also have anxiety/panic disorder and the Aciphex and pain from reflux has made it much worse. I bought a bottle of ACV 3 weeks ago. Without reading about mixing it with water and honey, I just tried a spoonful of it and couldn't bear the taste so put it away. I'm desperate tonight as its 2:30 in the morning and I'm in such pain I don't know what else to do. I only used about a teaspoon in a cup of water, and a big squirt of honey and I'm sipping it. The taste is not great, but bearable. Part of my symptoms are esophageal spasms from my esophagus trying to keep the acid from leaking out. And today I have this horrible lump in the back of my throat that feels like a ball of acid. I've gotta say, I think I'm feeling a bit better from it. I will continue to take it 2 or 3 times a day, as well as the apples. I just can't take another PPI. I sure hope this works. Thanks so much for offering me some hope of a natural cure.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Laura (Florence, Texas) on 08/18/2008
★★★★☆
Dear Jane and Jacky, I've only recently started having esophageal spasms myself (the first was 2 months ago), and they are so painful. My doctor had no idea what was causing them, but gave me prilosec anyway. Thanks doc. I've also been going to acupuncture every week for about a month and thought it might be helping until 2AM this morning when a severe spasm hit. Now, I'm scouring the internet in the middle of the night. After reading your postings about being fellow spasm sufferers, I tried my first glass of ACV and honey. The taste was certainly not great, but I think I feel a little relief already. Here's hoping that this inexpensive, natural remedy will be an end to the painful spasms.
