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.
Dental Enamel Issues
Posted by Jordan (Houston, Tx) on 12/10/2009
Question, as ACV is acidic, would it be a bad idea to put some in coffee? Coffee i know, is acidic..so I was just wondering what it would do. I dont want it to ruin my teeth by having too much acid or any other part in my body.
Apple Cider Vinegar Soak
Posted by Lisa (Thousand Oaks, Ca, USA) on 10/07/2009
You had me laughing out loud... Clown Feet! I can only imagine. And yes there is a difference in quality of ACV. When I first started trying ACV after coming to this site, I used Heinz since it was in my pantry and I was anxious to get started with ACV. It took me about 5 days to finally get to the health food store to get _____s- the one with the mother as they say. Without a second thought, I took a tablespoon of it as soon as I got home which was the night- about 8 pm. After going to bed I awoke about 3am with raging detox symptoms- sweating, chills, body aches which were excruciating and basically feeling sick. I rolled over and said to my husband that I felt really sick and he said," Don't you remember you took the ACV when you got home?" Never had anything with the Heinz. Big difference...
Apple Cider Vinegar Tips
Posted by Dave (Fountain Inn, Sc) on 03/03/2016
To Eric:
Are you certain about the neutralizing effect of Baking Soda? I've read about that a few years ago and the effect was to change the nature of the acid to a different form of acid but the effect was not to completely defeat the acid. Ted, I believe, has written on this very issue.
Yeast Infections
Posted by Steve (Nc) on 02/17/2015
For yeast infection check out coconut oil... you need to read all about coconut oil anyway
General Feedback
Posted by Len (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) on 02/02/2012
In regards to doctors and pharmaceutical companies and not recommending "home" cures (that may or may not work--I believe ACV works by the way) because there is no profit in killing cancer (or whatever), I came across a quote somewhere (maybe even here) that bears repeating:
A live sheep can be sheared many times, but you can only kill him once.
Constipation
Posted by Tiffany (Kandas) on 08/15/2016
Be careful drinking it straight. It is too hard on the esophagus. Repeat acid can cause irritation and eventually increase risk of throat cancer. I love to dink mine with lemon juice, or some of acv, raw honey and some cinnamon in hot water.
Broad Benefits
Posted by Susan (Big Sky Country, Montana) on 05/27/2009
★★★★★
I have been waiting until the end of the school year to report on my success with organic ACV with the "mother". I have been a tutor in an elementary school for three years now. The first two years I caught everything imaginable...constant sore throats, horrendous coughs, runny noses, on and on all year....I truely was constantly fighting something. Last Fall before the start of the year I began to take 1/4 cup of ACV with tomato juice faithfully once a day. AMAZING....I have not so much as had a sniffle the entire year....no flu, no colds, no anything. I'm in my late 50's and until discovering ACV I believed I needed to quit a position with children that I loved!! This is good news in my world and what have you got to lose by trying it? I tell anyone who will listen about this simple natural "cure-all"....I'm living proof of it's benefits!!!!
Heartburn
Posted by Colleen (Fort St John, British Columbia, Canada) on 05/21/2009
★★★★☆
I am using about 1 - 2 tbsp of ACV every day for about 2 months now. I have been able to get off of my prescription heart burn pills, finally. I find that I get heart burn more often, but ACV relieves it. I am thinking now of using the only 2 tsps to one 8 oz glass of water though, as I do get concerned to taking too much.
Broad Benefits
Posted by Shelagh (Palm Beach Gardens, Florida) on 02/11/2009
★★★★★
Now that I'm faithfully taking ACV I received an email warning about danger of too much acid in our systems causing cancer... how do we know what is 'too much'? I have noticed a jump in energy and an elevated 'good' mood... so I am going to continue what makes me feel better... and yesterday someone mentioned a rosy glow, which is amusing as I am blessed with great skin... but this acid/cancer connection is a real concern. Ted? Any comment or suggestion? Anyone else? Thanks. This site rocks! Peace.
EC: Apple cider vinegar in fact alkalizes one's pH. Please review the introductory information on the acv main page as well as the Questions and Answers pages for more information on this subject.
Sadly, there is loads of false information planted on the internet about apple cider vinegar!
Acne
Posted by Natasha (New York City, Ny, Usa) on 07/17/2012
I suffer from nodular acne typically I get one or two around my periods I kept them at bay by applying JOJOBA oil to my face. It works for me. This time around I got a cluster of acnes on my cheeks and it got me worried Jojoba was not enough. I started drinking the ACV concoction after reading so much about it on this website. I do see some difference in the appearance of my acne, they are smaller, has less pus and go down faster.. But ever since I started ACV (a week ago now) I am observing that I get one new acne each day on my face. I did read that ACV may aggravate the problem before curing it.. I am just writing to gain some moral support to continue on ACV. Can someone share their similar experiences and how long it lasted. Please help.
Warts
Posted by Francisca (Michelbach-le-bas, Alsace, France) on 01/03/2011
I am glad that ACV worked for your wife's warts. I have tried it on my hand, not even a big wart and it never worked so after a while I got fed up. I would soak a piece of cotton wool and then tape it but it never disappeared. On my foot it did work but it was difficult to keep the tape in place as it would go loose when I walked. I had one on my leg, as ACV didn't seem to be working I used white vinegar and came to regret it as I had a bad burn which took quite a while to heal, was very painful and left a big brown mark which looks far worse than the wart which you hardly saw. Luckily it is getting a bit lighter. The wart in my hand is very flat and you hardly see it but I would love to get rid of it because I am afraid that if you have one you can get more. I will try the castor oil and bicarbonate next. The banana peel didn't work either!
Warts
Posted by Kathy (Hoboken, Ga) on 02/17/2013
I know this is going to be hard to believe.... But, trust me, it works! My mom had my niece do this for several warts she had on her hands and it worked. A couple of years ago, I had a wart on my finger... Tried everything.... Compound W... The duct tape... Then I remembered how my mom got rid of my niece's warts.. And tried it. IT WORKED! You put a stone or rock for each wart you have in a small bag and throw it out the window... I live in the country... So I threw it as hard as I could out the window.... And leave it. Two weeks later my wart was GONE! Completely! I have told other people about this... And they have experienced sucess also. Worth a try.
Broad Benefits
Posted by Bob (Boston, Ma) on 10/05/2008
★★★★★
I ended up on your site looking for a cure for shingles. I found it and it involved among other things Apple cider vinegar to be ingested and a mix of Aloe vera and crushed cayenne pepper rubbed on the redness which almost instantly brought the blisters to a head. I was done with shingles in about a week. Because of all the testimonials here, I decided to keep on taking the ACV orally 3 times a day. In liquid form or capsules. I realized that my flow of urine got stronger and started to last much longer. I had prostate problems for a few years and I was taking every day some very expensive herbal tea that was working somewhat. I decided to stop the herbal tea and stay on the ACV only. I now pee like a 15 years old and I'm not on any medication. ACV also cured me of my insomnia! Thank you Earth Clinic for such a great site.
Blood Sugar
Posted by Pat (Ballwin, MO) on 09/05/2008
★★★★★
I found this article on RealAge (www.realage.com//ct/tips/2655) about ACV and wanted to share.
Vinegar Delight
Research suggests that a little bit of vinegar could have a beneficial effect on blood sugar levels.
In a study, ingesting a couple tablespoons of apple cider vinegar before a high-carbohydrate meal was found to help dampen expected spikes in blood sugar levels from the meal.
For a bit of vinegar's benefit, try starting off your next pasta meal with a salad splashed with red wine vinegar and olive oil.
Vinegar is no substitute for healthy eating habits or for proven methods of blood sugar control. The beneficial effects of vinegar on blood sugar levels may not apply to healthy individuals, and more research is needed to confirm its potential benefits for other populations.
In a recent study, ingesting 20 grams (approximately 2 tablespoons) of apple cider vinegar before eating a high-carbohydrate meal improved insulin resistance.
Study participants who experienced the blood sugar control benefits from vinegar were either diabetic or had insulin resistance syndrome. They followed the 20 grams of apple cider vinegar with a high-carbohydrate meal consisting of a white bagel, butter, and orange juice.
After the high-carbohydrate meal, the acetic acid from the earlier serving of vinegar appeared to reduce blood sugar levels by 19 percent in people with diabetes and by 34 percent in people with insulin resistance.
Acetic acid may help lower blood sugar levels by suppressing enzymes required to break down sugars, resulting in slower absorption.
The best way to keep blood sugar levels steady is to eat a balanced diet, eat at regular intervals, and engage in a moderately strenuous program of physical activity. If you have diabetes or insulin resistance syndrome, follow your healthcare provider's advice.
GERD
Posted by Maggie (Brick, New Jersey) on 08/13/2008
★★★★★
I have suffered with GERD with a year. I could not eat tomato sauce, choclate, soda or fried foods (basically 90% of my diet :). I also could not lie flat in bed. The pain was constant, no matter what I ate, how I ate, when etc. I was put on the typial meds which either did nothing or made the pain worse. I was eating antacids like tic tacs. I asked the MD why I developed GERD as I have no risk factors for it and was unsatisifed with the answer of "it just happens". As a nurse, I need to know the reason why. The pain had to stop. I was not going to go through this the rest of my life. I came across your web-site and thank you and Thank God!! I used the regular ACV and it worked a little. My sister in law talked me into trying the organic ACV with the enzymes and I have used it for two weeks AND HAVE HAD NO PAIN!! I am back to eating whatever I want. I realized I felt better when I had raviloi for lunch followed by pizza for dinner and NOTHING HAPPENED! Previously, I would have been in pain for hours and eating meds and not able to lie down. I still get pain in my stomach if I'm stressed out, combined with bad food, and I rely on an OTC med that works, now one pill is all I need. But I have gone to eating meds to taking nothing!! I checked with my MD first who could neither recommend or dissuade me from using it, but he had no problems with me using it and basically said "knock yourself out". Thank you for being there for us who suffer and I wish someone would do a study on this so that others could be pain free as well.I can also sleep flat again, and on my back, with no pain. I take a tblsp in the morning in 12-16 oz water (be sure to shake the bottle) and again at night before bed. I feel great otherwise as well. It's like my stomach is happy!! Thank you thank you thank you.
Burns
Posted by Lady Day (Somewhere, In/us) on 12/13/2011
The same is true for baking soda. The difference is you won't smell after you apply it to the wounded area.
Laundry Tips
Posted by Stella (USA) on 06/21/2008
★★★★★
A great way to get the smell out of towels especially micro fiber (Dish towels) is to soak in vinegar overnight then wash. Do this once a month if needed.
Apple Cider Vinegar Tips
Posted by Alise H. (Chicago, IL) on 04/12/2008
UNDISTILLED apple cider vinegar (ACV) has many natural benefits. Taking a shot of UNDISTILLED apple cider vinegar (ACV) has cured my sore throat on several occasions. Please be sure that it is the undistilled version and not distilled. This version has the particles at the bottom. The other type, which may look better, has no true nutritional value. ACV, if raised to a certain temperature can also lose some of its healing powers, better to take it at refrigerated or room temperature. In addition, ACV can be damaging to the teeth so be sure to brush them after rinsing with ACV.
Apple Cider Vinegar Tips
Posted by Sylvia (Toronto, Canada) on 06/23/2008
I would suggest rinsing the mouth with water and not brushing for 2 hours so the tooth enamel can harden again.
Recipes
Posted by Jeffro (Goreville, IL) on 06/19/2009
I have seen a couple of people using V8 "juice" to take their ACV or H2O2. Two servings of regular vegetable V8 meet the RDA's max for sodium intake. I don't trust the RDA to determine what I need and don't need, but just be aware of what you are doing if this is your regimine.
Brands of Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Aseem (New York, NY) on 06/01/2008
Hi how are you? my wife and me live in Manhattan, NY. its virtually impossible for us to get unpasteurised acv. the only product we've been using since years is Heinz. just cant procure pure organic undistilled acv in the city. any other brand alternatives suggested? ive been having 2tblsp acv with 2tblspn honey in a glass of water first thing in the morning. 2tblspn of acv only in a little water with each meal since 1996. had cut my finger once and immed poured raw honey on it, within 20 seconds the bleeding stoppped and there are no scars. Thanks to whoever first understood the value of these two natural wonders!
Brands of Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Lisa (Brooklyn, NY) on 06/15/2008
You should be able to find organic unpasteurized ACV at any health food store, Whole Foods, etc in NYC. I've most commonly seen the brands "_____" with a yellow label and "Eden" with a dark blue/green label. I just bought a bottle last night.
Brands of Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by LaToya (New York, New York) on 01/10/2009
There are several Whole Foods Markets in the city. They sell the good ACV. You can find the closest store at www.wholefoods.com
Brands of Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Joyce (Joelton, Tn) on 01/11/2009 490 posts
Hello Latoya,
I don't buy the cheap distilled vinegar for any use, but I do buy a gallon of ACV at Save-a-Lot for about $2/gallon. If you keep it around long enough it grows plenty of mother without any help from the expensive _____ stuff. It works fine for me and has been for years now. I cook, clean, drink, and make medicine with it. At that price, I can afford to keep nothing but ACV and I always have it on hand for whatever I want to use it for, including cleaning my coffee pot periodically.
Local Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Kristy (Lansing, Michigan) on 06/25/2007
★★★★★
I've already written about how vinegar helped my husband and I but I wanted to share this information... Buying organic vinegar at a health food store is REALLY expensive. We found it for half the price at a local apple orchard-open only on Saturday's until the fall season. If you have one nearby, you might check. We paid $16.00 a gallon at a health food store and only $8.00 at the orchard!
Broad Benefits
Posted by Anne (Brisbane, Queensland, Australia) on 03/18/2007
★★★★★
What a great page! I am taking one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar morning and night - mixed in half a glass of water with the vitamins I take at breakfast and with the evening meal. For many years I have taken vitamins as a person with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue and many other ailments. However, my nails have always been atrocious (an indication that I am still missing out on a complete balance). So I spoke to a naturopath and named all the vitamins as well as the prescribed medications I have to take for the FM/CFS. She suggested ACV as wll as my aforementioned regime. She said that it sounded as if the prescription medicines were getting in the way of the full benefits I should be experiencing from the vitamins. Now that I've been taking ACV for a couple of weeks (plus vitamins and prescriptions) I'm feeling better than ever before - MUCH more energy, MUCH more on the ball in general. Having now read about dental concerns Iintend to drink my ACV mix with a straw to avoid it touching my teeth!
Broad Benefits
Posted by Javier (Miami, Florida) on 03/10/2007
★★★★★
My name is Javier, from Miami Florida, I discover your Website by searching the web, and I have been reading a lot about it. I have acid reflux since 15 years ago, and I always try to stop taking Prilosec, lately I don't feel Prilosec have no more effect in my body and I also use Tums, I try ACV two tablespoons and 2 of honey in a half glass of water after breakfast and after dinner, and it really works, I still can't believe it. I had acid reflux, heartburn, arrythmia caused by chest pain over night, and now it is incredible, I have no symptoms, I sleep better, and also I have loose 6 pound in 10 days, I found out I feel less tired myself, the pain in my legs is gone, my throat has no acid or sour taste in the morning, I am very happy, Thanks again.
ACV and Baking Soda
Posted by Ted (Bangkok, Thailand) on 08/05/2006 392 posts
The amount of ACV needed to react with baking soda to get to pH level of near 6.5-7.0 depends on the brand of ACV. For my own brand of ACV, it is approximately 50 ml-70 ml per one tablespoon of baking soda. So always start on the low side first!
If you are not used to it, try only 1/8 teaspoon of baking soda - the safest possible mixture assuming 2 tablespoons of ACV in a 250 mg water. Then increase slowly as needed.
If you have a pH meter handy, it would be more easier go that way and just add enough until it reaches near pH of 7. It is very much dependent on what brand your ACV is generally. Please note that these are approximate figures.
One more important note!
Warning: if you mix with ACV it will create a lot of bubbles that goes very high! You need to mix inside a large empty pitcher! Also add the ACV very slowly! For me, I don't use ACV here in Bangkok that often because of the price. I just use simple vinegar, so I usually will not have the bubbling issues!
Dental Enamel Issues
Posted by Tom (Milford, NJ) on 05/27/2006
★★★★★
I took acv for years and experienced problems with my dental erosion. Also, other problems possibly relating to amalgam fillings. Stopped acv and now ok. I would encourage anyone considering acv to dilute and then follow w/ sodium bicarb.
Acid Reflux
Posted by Bob (Princeton, NJ)
You need to get real apple cider vinegar. Heinz is not real. Go to a health food store - even GNC has apple cider vinegar (ACV) w/mother. (Mother is the sediment at the bottom).
Shake well. Add one teaspoon to a glass and add a little less than a mouthful of distilled water. I also add a few drops of cayenne to it. If you have RAW organic honey - a bit of that mixed in can make it taste better. Drink this 10 minutes before meals. Do not drink any more liquid until at least 30 minutes after eating.
Anyone I know who does this no longer has ANY need for Prevacid, etc.
