Apple Cider Vinegar
Health Benefits

Apple Cider Vinegar: A Complete Guide to Benefits, Uses, and How to Take It

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.
Brands of Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Juli (Socorro, NM) on 03/17/2008
★★★★★

...a tip about acv: if you buy the expensive mother vinegar, save a couple of tablespoons and pour it into a gallon of the cheap store brand. Soon, the cheap stuff will be growing the mother, and you will have a re-usable, active culture very much like a sponge for making bread.

EC: Organic and unpastuerized ACV with the mother seems to be popular with people in the United States, but there are many, many more to try. We suggest you try them all and see which one your body responds best to. We do not suggest drinking acv bought at the grocery store EXCEPT in the event of food poisoning. We have no validating studies to back this up, but we think grocery brands like Heinz are far more acidic and as such can kill off the bacteria causing the poisoning more quickly. Well, that's our experience at any rate. Read more about food poisoning and acv here.

Children and Infants
Posted by Pauline (Port Townsend, WA) on 03/16/2008
★★★★★

I read Dr. D.C. Jarvis's book about folk medicine around 1960 and began to give my children apple cider vinegar whenever they got the stomach flu. It always worked. I believe he was the one who said that the vinegar changed the ph balance in the intestinal tract so that the virus couldn't live and reproduce.


Diarrhea
Posted by Louise (Ocala, FL) on 02/11/2006
★★★★★

I had diarrhea (including blood) almost constantly for 8 1/2 weeks after a " holiday " party at work. I received the advice of 6 MD's, 1 nurse practitioner,& several public health nurses. I had lab tests done. Besides all that , I am a registered nurse. No one knew what was wrong with me ( and yet they wanted to do even more expensive and invasive tests). I could eat only certain things. When I would take prescription medication - I had to keep taking it. Over the counter medication stopped the diarrhea but left me in constant pain and drowsiness. This week I was blessed to remember something I heard a long time ago about apple cider vinegar. So I tried a few mouthfuls. I had already had about 6 bowel movements that day. I didn't have any more problems that day (to my surprise) even though I had eaten alot. My only problem now is to figure out what should I eat first...a pizza ?, chocolate malt ?, grilled cheese with tomato ? I am very grateful to the Almighty for creating such a thing as apple cider vinegar.

EC: Read many more testimonials and cures here.


Blood Pressure
Posted by Deborah (El Dorado, TX)
★★★★★

I don't know if it (ACV) contributed to my blood pressure getting under control or if it was the medication, but I can say I do have more energy. I take 2 TSP with 8 oz of water.

EC: Click here to read more emails and cures for blood pressure.


Cough, Chronic
Posted by Flint (Austin, TX)
★★★★★

I have 2 children that have never been immunized for whom I have made all medicines for at home all their lives. My 2 year old was suffering from a chronic cough. It lasted 5 months and none of my syrups, oils, tinctures etc were eliminating it. One day I was eating salad with a vinaigrette. He asked specifically for the dressing and drank 2 oz straight!! He continued to ask for it daily since and has seemed to have cured himself! The cough has subsided and I feel that it is due to the apple cider vinegar! What a smart guy!

EC: Read many more testimonials and cures here.


Fever
Posted by Hotlava (Seattle) on 10/18/2013

I agree with Mr. Whoa that Fevers are our Friends....

However, high fever (over 102) can be very damaging to our body tissues/probiotic bacteria/enzymes, especially in infants and children. Bringing down a high fever using ACV on a washcloth is a great remedy that people should tuck into their memory banks esp. when caring for children!


Gall Bladder Issues
Posted by Karen (Salt Lake City, NV)
★★★★★

Have had years of trouble with irritable bowel syndrome and, more recently, gallbladder problems. Since drinking ACV (even during an attack) I find relief from these conditions and I now have only 1-2 gallbladder attacks per year after only 1 year of ACV. I previously had 1-2 attacks per month and was considering surgery.

EC: Read many more remedies for gall bladder issues here.

Hair and Scalp
Posted by Anne (USA)
★★★★★

I have dark hair which is very oily. I use apple cider vinegar as a hair rinse, it helps to dissolve buildup, which results in much shinier hair. It has also been very beneficial for my dandruff.


Hair Conditioner
Posted by Marcie (Dallas, TX, USA) on 09/27/2008

i am anxious to try using ACV as a rinse for my hair to see if it can help with hair loss. will the ACV lighten the hair at all? i have very dark brown hair that i LOVE ( my natural hair color) and am afraid that the ACV will make it lighter. i plan to use it about 3 times a week as a rinse after the shampoo part and use a conditoner on top of that.

can anybody tell me if it's safe for me to use? i DON'T want to bring out highlights or anything i just want to keep my color as is.

thanks in advance!!


IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)
Posted by Karen (Salt Lake City, NV)
★★★★★

Have had years of trouble with irritable bowel syndrome and, more recently, gallbladder problems. Since drinking ACV (even during an attack) I find relief from these conditions and I now have only 1-2 gallbladder attacks per year after only 1 year of ACV. I previously had 1-2 attacks per month and was considering surgery.


Parasites
Posted by Heather (Napa, California)
★★★★★

I have been doing research on parasites and have found that if you take 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar morning and night, in a week you will pass parasites!

Sinus Infections and Sinusitis
Posted by Marie (USA)
★★★★★

I was skeptical in believing that ACV would help my sinus infection. However, I took 2 tablespoons by itself and I felt my throat burning. Immediately it cleared up my nasal passages, and my throat was so much better. It was instantaneous! Forget going to the doctor!


Sinus Infections and Sinusitis
Posted by Kate (Chandler, AZ)
★★★★★

After years of sinus problems, the apple cider vinegar has allowed me overwhelming relief. Thank you.


Sinus Infections and Sinusitis
Posted by Jessica (San Diego)
★★★★★

acv cured my sinusitis - caused from living in polluted California.


Warts
Posted by Jim (Youngstown)
★★★★★

I have only taken apple cider vinegar for two month, 3 tablespoons in morning, and 3 after work. Warts on my finger completely disappeared and I tried commercial removers. I had them for many years, so I believe the vinegar is responsible.

EC: Click here for more warts cures.

Apple Cider Vinegar and pH Balance
Posted by Doris (Il, Usa) on 11/06/2014

Have u read Dr Jarvis' book? Vinegar is an acid. The whole reason for taking it is to make the urine more acidic. Alkaline urine demonstrates u are not healthy. It all works biochemically via electrical energy. His explanations are very strange, but he proved this folk remedy with cows, horses, and dogs so he could see for himself whether it had all of the benefits espoused. However, he added Lugol's iodone to the mixture as well - at least 3 drop to one serving 3 times weekly. If one has a health problem, they are to drink with each meal. The vinegar & natural honey are supposed to be mixed together well in a glass before adding water. The honey adds solar energy to the concoction.


Apple Cider Vinegar and pH Balance
Posted by Bill (San Fernando) on 03/13/2015

I've read quite often in allopathic research and in doctor's articles that the pH homeostasis mechanism in the human body always operates perfectly and never goes wrong. Really?

So even though the western diet is so bad and so poisonous, even though people have all manner of sickness in huge numbers, including autoimmune and other diseases and even though our immune systems and hormone systems have been thoroughly trashed through our poison processed food diets -- through all this the final conclusion for some people is that our homeostasis pH regulating mechanism always remains untouched, works perfectly and never fails us?

Here is some interesting research evidence from my side on the direct association of acidosis that is increasingly accumulated in the body and which is caused by poor processed food diets over a period of many years. This research looks at our dietary evolution and the ultimate corruption of our older but healthier natural diets in terms of the rising acid levels in our bodies that are apparent today.

Diet, evolution and aging


Making Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Susan (USA)

If you live in a country where apple cider vinegar is difficult to find, try making it at home. Click here for the recipes.


Capsules
Posted by Deirdre (EC) on 10/29/2022

Hi Anne,

I would check the reviews under Apple Cider Vinegar capsules or tablets on Amazon. Braggs finally started selling ACV capsules with added D3 and Zinc, so perhaps! However, on Earth Clinic, there are old posts that say capsules or tablets are not as effective as liquid.

Here are the customer reviews for Bragg's on Amazon.


Capsules
Posted by Mama To Many (Tennessee) on 12/02/2023

Dear Sheila,

I was skeptical at first but do think that Apple Cider Vinegar Capsules are helpful. I get mine from Costco. Huge bottle and I generally like all the supplements I get from Costco.

~Mama to Many~


Warnings
Posted by beverly (Texas) on 02/04/2022

Are you absolutely sure about this? I have researched and cannot confirm this.


Capsules
Posted by Kaur (Canada) on 09/08/2014

My son is 13 years old and we take webber naturals apple cider vinegar capsules. It says max you can take is 6, but how much can my son take?

General Feedback
Posted by Marie2mil (Adelaide, South Australia) on 10/04/2012

Dee, I drink ACV through a straw too, make sure the straw is way back in your mouth - that way it will surely bypass your teeth no problems. Good Luck. Marie


How to Take
Posted by Cat (Austin, Tx) on 02/05/2016

Comment on Gargling with ACV:

I would not frequently do this, folks! The enamel on your teeth will eventually erode making it very easy to get cavities, plus, your teeth can thin. Best to mix with warm water in a small baby jar with a lid -- about 2 ACV tsps with 3 tablsps of water and 1 tsp of honey or molasses (if you are not worried about sugar-diabetes) and either chug down or straw-down toward the back of the throat. And certainly never gargle with ACV without quickly rinsing your mouth out thoroughly afterwards. If you want to thicken thin teeth, look into ingesting a tsp a day of FOOD GRADE diatomaceous earth (DE) for a couple of weeks to a month. Many report that it thickens teeth (it did mine - from playing card look to corn bulb look and it tightened my loose teeth. You can even brush once a week with it to whiten your teeth); helps with thin hair, gum health, arthritis, shoulder, wrist, knee and other joint pains. Do your "safety" research first. Peace out, CAT



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