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.

Headache and Migraine


Posted by Lucy (Malta) on 12/22/2011
★★★★★

I've been taking apple cider vinegar (ACV) for the last two years and it's amazing how wonderful I feel... My headaches/regular migraine attacks/nearly disappeared... I am hardly sick with flu and my sinuses are absolutely clear... Now I rinse my hair with diluted ACV and it's so shiny and fresh.... Heartily recommend for anything...vinegar/Honey and ACV/ in winter to boost your immune system.


Headache and Migraine
Posted by Reviewer (Amazon.com)
★★★★★

In Dec. '97 and Jan. '98 My wife and I spent the holidays in Costa Rica. I had already read "Folk Medicine" by D.C. Jarvis and while we were visiting one of my wife's friends I noticed our hostess (the wife) seemed in pain. Upon querying her she said she only had one of her daily migraines which she has suffered most of her life. The migraines began when she was around 12 years and she rarely went even one day since without them. No doctors had done anything for her. She "lived" on Ibuprofen, 1000mgs 2/3 times a day. She was 52 Y.O. I mentioned the Folk Medicine book and 2 tsp vinegar with 2 tsp honey in a full glass of water. I told her it was worth a try, but (fearing it may take a while to take effect) I told her to try it faithfully for at least a week before abandoning it. I returned next day (1/2 block away) to find her bright and smiling giving me a big hug! NO MIGRAINE!! This was surprising enough, but I was skeptical ... placebo?...

To be brief, she ran out of vinegar at 25 days, and thought she was cured...no migraines, no pain killers. After 4 days with no mixture she had her first migraine again, and we quickly got her some more vinegar. Immediately, on re-starting the vinegar/honey drink, no migraines. When we left to return to USA she was on her 45th day without migraines except for the day mentioned. She now drinks 2 glasses a day and so far, NO MIGRAINES!! I of course felt delighted to have been able to help her this way. She had the real thing with flashing lights, sounds, grinding pain. She really looks like a different, bright, person. Any one wishing to verify this I can give her name and address in C.R. Her daughter is married and lives here in the USA near us.

EC: Click here to read many more remedies to cure headaches and migraines.


Heart Pain


Posted by Tim P (Montana)
★★★★★

Last night I was feeling a huge pain in my chest and my heart felt heavy and I even was weak in my left arm. Thinking it may be something serious I almost called the hospital, but remembered someone once said that ACV cleaned arteries and has helped many from serious problems. I woke up this morning and drank 1 cup straight of ACV and within minutes I felt the pain go away. After 1 hour I had my strength back and was feeling back to normal. (Although throughout the hour I had to drink about 3 glasses of water and eat a few teaspoons of honey since my gut was bloated.) No waiting in a hospital line for me and I am back to feeling like I have more energy than I can remember in just a few hours time. I was say that without a doubt that ACV saved my life and saved me a ton in hospital bills. Now, I am stocking up on that great stuff and will eat much more healthier. By the way, I also ran across a website about High Fructose Corn Syrup and its deadly dangers. You may want to read more about it since it is a very dangerous ingredient in almost all of our foods. For me, its fresh veggies and fruit for the rest of my life with a few shots of ACV once in a while.

EC: Earth Clinic note: If you are having heart pain, please do call or doctor or visit and emergency room!

Click here'for more heart remedies.


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.

Replied by Nancy
(Shreveport, LA)
05/22/2009
★★★★★

Colleen:

I too had terrible heartburn after having my gallbladder removed. I started with the 2 tbsp of ACV in 16 oz of water and sipping throughout the day. It was better but the I noticed that EC recommended 2 tsp so I switched and got much better results. I used to take 3-4 (minimum) Tums a day after getting off Prilosec and Zantac. Now I never take any.


Heartburn
Posted by Connie (Eugene Oregon)
★★★★★

I recommend anyone with heartburn to keep ACV with cloves of garlic in the refrigerator and drink an ounce of that mixture next time it occurs. The results is almost immediate.


Heartburn
Posted by Ray (New York City)
★★★★★

I used to get severe heartburn after eating spicy things. Last year a friend recommended me to drink a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. In less than a minute the burning sensations were gone. Ever since that I have never had any burning sensations. I used to take tums and rolaids or drink milk and it would not provide fast relief.

I used to suffer from heartburn after every meal. Even after breakfast! After stumbling on ACV, I have not suffered from heartburn ever since. It has cured my sinus headaches and also a wart that I had on my finger for 5 years! ACV is better than the doctor. I don't drink ACV but rather eat about 5 tbls. of it on a cabbage salad recipe. I eat it every day.

EC: Click here for more heartburn remedies
Click here for more acid reflux remedies.


Heating ACV

Posted by George (London, Uk) on 08/02/2016 4 posts

I read that ACV should be boiled and then allowed to cool to make it more potent. Has anyone any thoughts on this please?

Replied by Mama To Many
(Tennessee)
08/04/2016

Usually for health issues, raw apple cider vinegar is recommended. Because of this, I tend to think that heating it, especially boiling it would reduce it's effectiveness. I believe the enzymes in apple cider vinegar are part of the cure. Boiling will kill the enzymes, I think.

Minerals would be retained in heating and boiling it though, so likely it would still work in many cases.

~Mama to Many~

Replied by Robert Henry
(Ten Mile, Tn.)
08/05/2016

MAMA,,,,,,,,,,, enzymes are killed in any thing at 120 degrees.

======ORH========

Replied by Mama To Many
(Tennessee)
08/05/2016

Dear Robert Henry,

Thank you for letting me know about the temperature at which enzymes would be destroyed! I love that I can learn something new at EC (and everywhere!) every day.

~Mama to Many~


Hiatel Hernia


Posted by Kelly (Edmond, OK) on 11/05/2006
★★★★★

I find that a tablespoon of ACV with water before a meal significantly reduces the swallowing discomfort due to Hiatal Hernia. It is not a cure, but it definitely makes swallowing easier for me.

Replied by Cordell
(Sj, New Brunswick Can)
05/05/2010
★★★★★

After 3 weeks of continual use (2 tbsp. diluted in half a cup of water with every meal), I have almost completely cured my acid reflux, chron's, ibs, hiatal hernia, and closed illeocecal valve. Persistence, and consistence is KEY!!


High Cholesterol


Posted by Royce (Phil Campbell, Al., Usa) on 10/13/2010

I recently had stints put in my neck and one valve in my heart. I take Plavix 75gm and Lipitor 40gm. Will ACV help me get off these meds as they are very expensive? will they damage the stints. Thanks for your help, Royce


High Cholesterol
Posted by Sathiananthen (Singapore) on 02/14/2010
★★★★★

Hi,

I have been taking ACV for almost some time now.
Reason high cholesterol and so on.
My reading taken on the 23/10/09
Cholesterol 7.73, Trigleycerides 1.33, HDL-C 0.94, LDL-C 6.19 and Chol: HDL Ratio 8.22 all in mmol/L measurment. I went on an offensive method thats ACV 2 cap full, Lemon 2 teaspoon and 1 teaspoon of honey with pipping hot water drinking slowly.

Current result taken on 07/01/2010
Cholesterol 4.63, Trigleycerides 1.55, HDL-C 1.05, LDL-C 2.88 and Chol: HDL Ratio 4.41 all in mmol/L. For me it works well but in term of loosing weight I don't see much. I introduced ACV to my Manager who has the same problem and never once see his result pass from the test. After my advise and taken for 3 or 4 weeks on daily basics last week result out shine my report.

Those with high cholesterol please try but please check with your doctors advise. I tried after reading from the net on the benefits. One important thing I was on medication too for cholesterol (Lovastatin). My managers report was the thing which confirm of ACV coz he never see a better result in all his testing.

Thanks
Sathia


High Cholesterol
Posted by Susan (USA)
★★★★★

One reader found success in lowering her high cholesterol by diluting ACV with a small amount of grape juice; she also drinks close to 80 ounces of water daily.

EC: Click here to many more testimonials and remedies to cure high cholesterol!


Hives


Posted by Jamie (San Jose, Ca, Usa) on 05/20/2010
★★★★★

Recently i used indoor tanning cream (for a tanning bed) with tingle on my legs and arms. I got home and showered and was so itchy and blotchy i called in sick to work. I applied ACV with a cotton pad twice directly to my legs and arms and within about 8 minutes the pain and redness was completely gone!!


How to Take


Posted by Ed (New Holland, Pa) on 07/03/2012
★★★★★

I hate the taste of vinagar, so I found the best thing to mix with it is grape juice. Chug it down without breathing, then rince cup out with a little more grape juice. Not to bad!


How to Take
Posted by Deb (Vancouver, Canada) on 05/27/2012

I find the easiest way to take Apple Cider Vinegar is, put the amount on a spoon, pour it in your mouth but do not swallow, take a glass of water or juice if you prefer and while you still have the ACV in your mouth take a drink of the juice, mix it around in your mouth with the ACV and swallow, voila, done!!! I actually like the flavor so I can take it right off the spoon, but it can burn your throat that way so it's best to mix in some water or juice.

Replied by Cat
(Austin, Tx)
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


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!



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