Apple Cider Vinegar
Health Benefits

Apple Cider Vinegar: 2026 Research, Community Uses, and Safety Protocols

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.
Hair and Scalp
Posted by Reader (Boston, MA)
★★★★★

I'm so happy that I found this site. I have applied straight apple cider vinegar 30 min before washing my hair and the flaking is almost gone. It has taken five treatments and WOW what a difference. It make my hair shiny too (extra bonus).

EC: Click here for many more remedies to cure SB and dandruff.


Hair Conditioner
Posted by Barbara (Phoenix, Arizona)
★★★★★

I have been using vinegar once a week for years and years as a hair rinse. It gives my hair the perfect pH balance. As a result, at the ripe old age of 63, I have very thick, healthy, shiny hair. When I tell people about it, they think I am crazy, but it works!! I remember when I was very young, my mom would wash my hair in rain water and then rinse it with vinegar.

I use approximately 1/2 to 3/4 cup vinegar diluted with about 1/2 cup water. I shampoo and rinse first then pour on the vinegar - let it sit about a minute and then rinse out the vinegar and then shampoo again and rinse very well so there is no odor of vinegar. This was even recommended to me by a beautician once, and I hadn't even told her that I was already doing it!! The vinegar also removes all the old shampoo, conditioner, hair spray, etc. build-up in the hair.

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.


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.


Digestion
Posted by Terri K. (United States) on 05/25/2020
★★★★★

I am so happy I found this website. I have had off and on since 2017 with digestive issues. Last year I had a colonoscopy + down the throat test. I was told I had a shatzine ring that needed stretching. After that procesure I was good for a long time. My doctor told me to take pepcid-ax.c. before meals. It did help for over 1year but now it is giving me pain again. I do not want to treat this anymore with pepcid-a.c. I want a more natural product or products. I eat organically for 55 years.


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.


Bad Breath
Posted by Mary (Stafford, Uk) on 06/18/2014
★★★★☆

Hi all thank you for your brillant information about ACV. I have BB for the past few years now although some people can tolerate my BB but when I see some people frowning , or move backward, I feel saddened inside.

I just stumbble on the write up about ACV for bad breath and I have been using it for the last 3weeks now, I have noticed some improvement with my breath as many people do not behave very badly when I speak. I can only think that it working, I will continue using it. Thank you all.

Baking soda and Hydrogen peroxide do not agree with me, my breath smell very bad when I used those two but ACV agrees with me.


Gall Bladder Issues
Posted by B (Richmond, Va) on 01/20/2013
★★★★★

I had the worse pain in my life from what they think is gallstones. After listening to an infomercial on you tube it recommended ACV one teaspoon in a glass of Apple juice. After drinking it the pain immediately decreased and in fifteen minutes was completely gone. Best thing ever.


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 Henr (Ny, Ny Usa) on 04/04/2012

THIS IS A GENERAL COMMENT ABOUT DRINKING ACV:

Apple cider vinegar is gross, as any of you who has tried drinking it surely knows. All the posts I have seen say to dilute it with water, but in my opinion that just prolongs the terrible experience of drinking it.

I just tried mixing it with a little bit of cold tonic water (about 1 tsp Apple Cider Vinegar to 2-3 tsp tonic) and found that was much better than still water.

I hope that this doesn't somehow counteract acv's effectiveness, because I've found it to be much less disgusting!


Recipes
Posted by Deb (Brockton, Ma Usa) on 03/25/2012
★★★★★

Sunday, 3/25/12. This is my first day on this web site. I was looking for something for my horrible swollen ankles and lower legs. Not sure if my ankles are gout or just the effects of this salt-a-holic eating too much corned beef for St. Patty's Day (and leftovers). I am amazed at all the things ALC can cure or alleviate. I just tried the apple cider recipe with ACV (an old bottle I had), honey, cinnamon and nutmeg. Delicious. I actually like the taste. I was tempted to drink another glass right away, but decided to spread it out three times a day, morning, noon and night (unless I find another recipe I like then I will alternate).

Thirty minutes after drinking the apple cider, I started feeling more awake and alert. It was affecting something in my brain. Time will tell with some of my other ailments. I have not noticed any bad after effects. The air also feels cooler when I breath, maybe its also affecting my sinuses. In any event, I will continue drinking it and reading some of the other remedies listed on this web site. Who knows, maybe it will change my life for the better and I can shed some of my unwanted pounds. Thank you for your recipe. I have to go to the store and buy a new bottle of ACV, the one I have is pretty old, and some more honey. Great web site.


Recipes
Posted by Alexg (San Antonio, Tx) on 12/21/2011

I drink the apple cider vinegar like a tea... Boil some water w/ a stick of cinnamon and let that steep 20 min, then add ACV, honey and lemon. Makes it taste better! :) And the medicinal properties of cinnamon helps me as well. :)


How to Take
Posted by Lady Day (Somewhere, In) on 12/13/2011
★★★★★

My daughter turned me on to apple cider vinegar (ACV) a while ago. I would like to suggest a WONDERFUL way to consume it. You will look forward to your daily cup if you will try the following:

Add 2 teaspoons of ACV to a hot cup of green tea. I sweeten with Sugar in the Raw (turbinado sugar). Add a couple sticks of cinnamon and voila!

Trust me... (1) cup won't be enough. You 'll think you're drinking apple cider and not only are you getting lots of antioxidants, you're lowering your blood pressure, glucose and acidity.


Recipes
Posted by Billie (Melbourne, Australia) on 12/10/2011

I found the best way to take Apple Cider Vinegar is as follows.. In a large glass add the below then top up with hot water and let it all brew for a few minutes before drinking.
1 tbsp ACV
1 tsp Manuka honey

half lemon squeeze

1 teabag of peppermint

1 teabag of rosehip

I drink it this and have done for abut 5 yrs... even my husband likes it this way and drinks it all winter to avoid getting sick...

I call it my magic long life potion :-)


Apple Cider Vinegar Ice Cubes
Posted by Jack (Stockholm, Sweden) on 11/26/2011
★★★★★

I make tsp ice cubes (5 ml) out of ACV and swallow 3 X 3 in order to spare my enamel.


Making Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Lori (Watertown, Wisconsin, Usa) on 10/16/2011

I've tried two different methods for making cider vinegar. I used the method described on the website that calls for making hard cider first. Although it worked okay, it produced a milder-tasting vinegar and it took more time. (My DH did like the hard cider though, and set aside a bottle for his own consumption.) Using fresh, unpasturized, unfiltered apple cider, fresh from the orchard is my preferred method. It helps to have everything prepared before you leave for the orchard to pick up the cider. Wash and stage an appropriate number of large, wide-mouthed glass containers (the kind that bulk foods come in). Lay out cheesecloth and rubber-bands for covering the container openings after filling them with cider. Set aside a warm location out of direct sunlight for fermentation for the jars. (Out-of-the-way tables and counters work well. Cold shelves close to the floor do not work. ) Pitfalls of this method: 1) If you don't have everything prepared the cider will need to be refrigerated until then. 2) There is more of a chance that a jar will get a mold-growth on top of the mother. I've had to throw out a few jars because of this.

One thing I have learned over the years is that some orchards (combo's of apples) produce better vinegar results than others. Once you find an orchard with good results, stick to it. One more note: The best batch I ever made was from windfall apples collected from random trees. If I'm ever able to make my own press I'll be using this method exclusively.



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