Apple Cider Vinegar: Uses, Health Benefits and FAQ

Posted by Shernosonny (Wellington, Fl) on 12/28/2011

For all you people that are trying to get cures from ACV remember, it has to be organic. There is really only one brand that I even know about, unfortunatly we're not allowed to post the name. If you go to your health food store and ask for it they will be glad to steer you in the right direction.. Don't use store bought Apple Cider Vinegar it will not work- yes it is cheaper but it has been processed with heat and has no healing properties in it. There is a book on the organic apple cider vinegar you would be amazed at all it cures its worth getting...

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.

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. :)

Posted by Faith (Forest Park, Ohio) on 12/20/2011

Take 1/2 cup of vinegar in an extra large cup, add a pinch of baking soda and let it fizz, then add some hot water, then rinse your hair BUT let it sit on the head for 30 minutes LIKE A CONDITIONER. This will STOP anything and cure it in the scalp! Repeat each time you WASH THE HAIR. I did this for my daughter's whose hair was falling out badly, she now has a full head of hair. The DOCTOR wanted to put her on THREE months of antibiotics..

Posted by Linda (New Haven, Ct - Connecticut) on 12/15/2011

Deborah, ACV should be taken in water, not straight or it will burn your throat. It can also cause damage to the enamel on your teeth. Take 2 teaspoons in 8 to 12 ounces of water twice a day and don't brush your teeth for about 1 hour. Many on this site also recommend using a straw to drink it down.

Posted by Debbie (Melbourne, Australia ) on 12/13/2011

1/4 cup is waaaay too much!!! You only need about 1-2 tablespoons in a cup of water. Some people only take 1 teaspoon in water.

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.

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.

Posted by Mmsg (Somewhere, Europe) on 12/13/2011

PLEASE EVERYONE start your experiments with VERY SMALL dosages!!! 1/4 CUP of vinegar is a BOMB!!! You should start with more like 1/4 TEASPOON!!!! And build up slowwwwwly!!

And this goes for MOST new things one may want to try, unless you are given a very specific dosage for YOUR ailment and condition!!!!

Posted by Deborah (Houston, Texas) on 12/12/2011

Today, I decided to start taking acv, to help lower my blood sugar level, so I drank about 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar by itself on a large serving spoon, then at that instant it took my breath away, it made me gasp for oxygen, so I grabbed the closest glass and poured water in it and tried to drink it, while still gasping for my breath, finally the water did help, although now the back of my throat has a burning sensation, so I ate some tomato soup and now, the burning has stopped.

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 :-)

Posted by Diana (Norfolk, Virginia) on 12/07/2011

I'm a 45 year old female, and have been taking two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar after breakfast and dinner for over a week now, and it seems to be helping with fluid retention ( keeping the fluids, not getting rid of them ) which seems to be helping the sinus pain from inflammation, which NOTHING was helping. And it's DEFINITELY helping with the heart burn-like stomach pains that kept me from sleeping. I pour it in a small measuring cup and nock it back like a shot of tequila. Not my favorite flavor, and it burns a slight bit going down, but after that, I'm a happy, painless camper! I haven't noticed any other benefits yet, but I haven't been looking out for any. For my two main concerns, I'm a convert and true believer!

Posted by Elysa (A, Tx) on 12/02/2011

Actually I saw a study saying we are not supposed to brush our teeth until 30 minutes after eating something acidic because acid apparently loosens the enamel and it's possible to brush it away.

I personally like to rinse my mouth out with plain water and then wait to brush my teeth 'til later. No more sensitive teeth while brushing! :)

Posted by Joyce (Warwick, Ri) on 11/30/2011

My cousin is a big apple cider vinegar and water drinker, we did a 26.2 mile walk to raise money for cancer, and she was sipping on the concoction all day. When I asked her about it she explained to me that ACV helps with water absoprtion. In doing some further investigations I found that a popular hangover cure in several Northern European countries is to drink pickle brine, the primary cause of hangover pains being dehydration (and vitamin depletion). I drink it after the gym now, it has the added benefit of helping my acid reflux as well! I can eat tomato sauce again! Luckily I like the taste of vinegar, so no suggestions on how to mask the flavor.

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.

Posted by Susan (USA)

The below table is from the USDA's apple cider vinegar nutrient database. We typed in the words "Vinegar, cider" on the home page to get this chart.

Note: The USDA does not specify on the chart whether they tested a commercial, pasteurized brand (i.e., Heinz) or an organic brand (i.e., _____). We have the feeling they probably tested a commercial brand. An organic brand of apple cider vinegar may have slightly higher values.

http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/search/index.html

Vinegar, cider(1)

Nutrient	Units	Value per 100 grams	Number of Data Points	Std. Error
Proximates
Water	g	93.81	3	0.092
Energy' (2)	kcal	21	0
Energy	kj	90	0
Protein	g	0.00	3	0
Total lipid (fat)	g	0.00	3	0
Ash	g	0.17	3	0.003
Carbohydrate, by difference	g	0.93	0
Fiber, total dietary	g	0.0	1
Sugars, total	g	0.40	0
Sucrose	g	0.00	1
Glucose (dextrose)	g	0.10	1
Fructose	g	0.30	1
Lactose	g	0.00	1
Maltose	g	0.00	1
Galactose	g	0.00	0
Minerals
Calcium, Ca	mg	7	4	0.108
Iron, Fe	mg	0.20	4	0.003
Magnesium, Mg	mg	5	3	0.485
Phosphorus, P	mg	8	3	0.244
Potassium, K	mg	73	4	5.617
Sodium, Na	mg	5	4	0.855
Zinc, Zn	mg	0.04	3	0.005
Copper, Cu	mg	0.008	3	0
Manganese, Mn	mg	0.249	3	0.057
Selenium, Se	mcg	0.1	0
Vitamins
Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid	mg	0.0	1
Thiamin	mg	0.000	1
Riboflavin	mg	0.000	1
Niacin	mg	0.000	1
Pantothenic acid	mg	0.000	0
Vitamin B-6	mg	0.000	1
Folate, total	mcg	0	1
Folic acid	mcg	0	0
Folate, food	mcg	0	1
Folate, DFE	mcg_DFE	0	0
Vitamin B-12	mcg	0.00	0
Vitamin B-12, added	mcg	0.00	0
Vitamin A, IU	IU	0	1
Vitamin A, RAE	mcg_RAE	0	0
Retinol	mcg	0	0
Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol)	mg	0.00	0
Vitamin E, added	mg	0.00	0
Vitamin K (phylloquinone)	mcg	0.0	0
Lipids
Fatty acids, total saturated	g	0.000	0
4:0	g	0.000	0
6:0	g	0.000	0
8:0	g	0.000	0
10:0	g	0.000	0
12:0	g	0.000	0
14:0	g	0.000	0
16:0	g	0.000	0
18:0	g	0.000	0
Fatty acids, total monounsaturated	g	0.000	0
16:1 undifferentiated	g	0.000	0
18:1 undifferentiated	g	0.000	0
20:1	g	0.000	0
22:1 undifferentiated	g	0.000	0
Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated	g	0.000	0
18:2 undifferentiated	g	0.000	0
18:3 undifferentiated	g	0.000	0
18:4	g	0.000	0
20:4 undifferentiated	g	0.000	0
20:5 n-3	g	0.000	0
22:5 n-3	g	0.000	0
22:6 n-3	g	0.000	0
Fatty acids, total trans	g	0.000	0
Cholesterol	mg	0	0
Phytosterols	mg	0	0
Amino acids
Tryptophan	g	0.000	0
Threonine	g	0.000	0
Isoleucine	g	0.000	0
Leucine	g	0.000	0
Lysine	g	0.000	0
Methionine	g	0.000	0
Cystine	g	0.000	0
Phenylalanine	g	0.000	0
Tyrosine	g	0.000	0
Valine	g	0.000	0
Arginine	g	0.000	0
Histidine	g	0.000	0
Alanine	g	0.000	0
Aspartic acid	g	0.000	0
Glutamic acid	g	0.000	0
Glycine	g	0.000	0
Proline	g	0.000	0
Serine	g	0.000	0
Other
Alcohol, ethyl	g	0.0	0
Caffeine	mg	0	0
Theobromine	mg	0	0
Carotene, beta	mcg	0	0
Carotene, alpha	mcg	0	0
Cryptoxanthin, beta	mcg	0	0
Lycopene	mcg	0	0
Lutein zeaxanthin	mcg	0	0

Footnotes:
1 Contains 5% acetic acid. Total proximates do not equal 100%.
2 Acetic acid is included in energy calculation.

Posted by Susan (USA)

We thank Jonothan Shiloka for emailing us the following:

Vinegar: A Natural Approach to Avian Management
By Wanda Barras

"Many herbalists recommend the use of raw, unpasteurized, unheated, organic apple cider vinegar as an important dietary ingredient for humans, farm animals and pets, including birds. The Encyclopedia of Natural Pet Care describes apple cider vinegar in this way: "Long a folk remedy, cider vinegar has been shown to improve the health of dairy cows, horses, dogs and other animals. It reduces common infections, aids whelping, improves stamina, prevents muscle fatigue after exercise, increases resistance to disease and protects against food poisoning. Cider vinegar is rich in the vitamins, minerals and trace elements found in apples, especially potassium; it normalizes acid levels [pH] in the stomach, improves digestion and the assimilation of nutrients, reduces intestinal and fecal odors, helps cure constipation, alleviates some of the symptoms of arthritis and helps prevent bladder stones and urinary tract infections."

Vinegar Through The Ages

Vinegar has been used to cure ailments for centuries. For hundreds of years, folk medicine practitioners have recommended daily doses of apple cider vinegar, not only for specific medical problems, but also for overall food health. In Asia vinegar is called the friend of Chinese herbs because it is often used to process herbal preparations. It is also successfully used in modern Chinese medicine.

Historically, the origin of vinegar was never specifically noted. Vinegar was probably discovered when one of our ancestors found that wine exposed to the air would turn sour, thereby creating vinegar. It is amongst the oldest of foods and medicines know to man. For its healing ways, vinegar has been used for thousands of years. In 400 B.C, Hypocrites, known as the father of medicine, treated patients with vinegar, making it one of the world's first medicines. Throughout biblical times, vinegar was successfully used to treat infections and wounds. For centuries medical textbooks have listed various ways to use vinegar. These uses include everything from keeping a sharp mind to purifying the waters of the body and to easing pain and alleviating dozens of other ailments. Modern laboratory analysis verifies the antibacterial and antiseptic properties of vinegar. Many of the old-time uses are just as applicable now as they were centuries ago. (Moore xii)

Natural Apple Cider Vinegar: One of Mother Nature's Most Perfect Foods

Fermenting sweet juice makes vinegar. The juice turns to wine or cider which is allowed to ferment a second time until the alcohol mixes with oxygen in the air, changing it into acetic acid and water. Natural---that is, undistilled, organic, raw, apple cider vinegar is often called one of Mother Nature's most perfect foods. Apple cider vinegar should be made from fresh, organic, crushed apples that are allowed to mature naturally in wooden barrels. Natural apple cider vinegar, found in health food stores, should be a rich amber color with the "mother" quite visible as sentiment on the bottom. The strength of vinegar is important. All varieties of vinegar contain about 4 to 7 percent acetic acid, with 5 percent being the most common amount. Acetic acid is what gives vinegar its tart and sour taste.

There is nothing beneficial about commercial distilled vinegars except for pickling, cleaning and disinfection ---they have no health value! They do not contain the health values of organic, raw apple cider vinegar with the mother still intact and viable. Distilled white vinegar and cider vinegar sold in supermarkets are considered "dead" vinegars with none of the enzymes and other live factors that make raw, unpasteurized vinegars so valuable. Distilling removes the beneficial "mother" from the vinegar, thereby, destroying the powerful enzymes and life giving minerals such as potassium, phosphorus, natural organic sodium, magnesium, sulphur, iron copper, natural organic fluorine, silicon, trace minerals, pectin and other powerful nutrients. Also destroyed are natural malic and tartaric acids, which are important in fighting body toxins and inhibiting unfriendly bacteria growth (_____ 1- 4).

Apple cider vinegar has shown to be an extremely valuable constituent in the body's biochemical operations and an essential building block in the construction of many complex substances in the body. Vinegar is low in calories and carbohydrates but does contain small amounts of calcium, phosphorus, iron and, of course, lots of potassium. A cup of ACV is 98.8% water, has 34 calories, a trace of protein, and no fat. (Moore p.viii) Acetic acid, the principal constituent in vinegar, plays an important role in the release of energy from fats and carbohydrates. It is of primary importance in the body's metabolism.

Apple Cider Vinegar Can Make Any Living Thing Healthier

Dr. D.C. Jarvis, MD who wrote "Folk Medicine, A Vermont Doctor's Guide to Good Health" and "Arthritis and Folk Medicine", is completely convinced that apple cider vinegar could make any living thing healthier. He believes, Potassium, which is found in just the right amounts in natural apple cider vinegar "is so essential to the life of every living thing and that with out it there would be no life. Potassium is the most important of all minerals that are necessary for good health." Potassium's main function is to promote cell, tissue and organism growth. It is necessary to replace dead cells and tissue. There is no better source of potassium than vinegar---particularly natural apple cider vinegar.

Dr. Jarvis believes Apple cider vinegar can help fight infection, simply by keeping fluids where they belong---in body cells, not in bacteria. Bacteria need moisture to thrive. As bacteria multiply, they will pull necessary fluids from healthy cells in order to flourish, particularly during times of stress when resistance is low. Stress is a major agent in causing a previously sub-clinical problem to break into a full-blown illness. If the process goes unchecked illness will occur. In order to defeat bacterial infections and illness it is important to keep moisture in the cells and prevent germs from depleting that moisture. According to Dr. Jarvis: "If there is enough potassium in each body cell, it will draw moisture from the [harmful] bacteria, instead of the bacteria taking moisture from the body cells." Therefore by providing natural sources of potassium in the diet (fruit, berries, sprouts, edible leaves, edible roots, etc.) and including apple cider vinegar to that diet the body cells are provided with the necessary moisture-attracting potassium. It is interesting to note that many traditional medicines used to combat bacterial illness also work by depriving bacteria of moisture and thus keeping fluids inside the cells (O'Brien p40)

Acidic pH Balance Will Discourage Bacteria, Yeast & Fungal Growth

Apple cider vinegar destroys microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, viruses and others, and prevents poisons from reaching the rest of the systems of the body. It has been proven to inhibit the growth of gram-negative bacilli, Pseudomonas, and Candida. The acid nature of vinegar makes the digestive tract environment unpleasant for germs and fungus. Apple cider vinegar has proven to be a natural treatment (and preventative) in simple cases of avian pediatric digestive disorders. Dr. Jarvis through his own research believes that apple cider vinegar will lower bloods natural alkalinity, bringing it closer to a natural healthy acid state. A naturally acidic digestive tract digestive, with the correct pH balance, will discourage bacteria and is less likely to grow yeast and fungus. Apple cider vinegar can assist the natural process of breaking food in the stomach. The acidic qualities of ACV will help break down protein, in the digestive system, for absorption into the bloodstream.

Apple Cider Vinegar On The Farm

For the past year and a half I have routinely added apple cider vinegar, to my baby birds' hand-feeding formula, to all drinking water and sprinkled some on the food of the animals here at our aviary and small dairy farm. These animals include several species of breeding exotic parrots, chickens, ducks, dogs, cats and LaMancha dairy goats. The vinegar keeps the water bowls and bottles very clean and sanitary and the animals seem to love it--- of course, the nutritional and health benefits are a plus. Apple cider vinegar added to young birds drinking water encourages early weaning and healthy weight gain and they will feather out faster. Adding a little raw apple cider vinegar to the hand-feeding formula water can prove nutritionally beneficial and help to inhibit the growth of yeast, fungus and bacteria. In formula a ratio of about 1/4 tsp per 4 oz water is best.

You may safely add cider vinegar to food and/or drinking water, starting with small amounts and building up to 1/2 to 1 teaspoon per 15 pounds of body weight or about 1 tsp apple cider vinegar (health food store variety best) to 8 oz water. That is about %1/4 cup per gallon of water and/or you may sprinkle or spray small amounts on bird's food. Gradually add small doses to food over time, you can help even the most finicky eater to accept this. Do not use metal food or water dishes when using vinegar, stainless steel is OK.

In Conclusion

Why Vinegar? Because it can be used medicinally, gets rid of poisons in the body, has disinfecting and cleaning properties and is a natural, nontoxic, biodegradable substance. That is, vinegar is an unadulterated food, a powerful cleansing agent and healing elixir---a naturally occurring antibiotic and antiseptic that fights germs and bacteria. We would be smart to make use of vinegar in our own lives and in our avian nurseries and breeding facilities. --- For a healthier, stronger, longer life for our animals and ourselves.

For further reading on vinegars medicinal and antiseptic qualities:"

Contact Information
Telephone: 337-394-6683 FAX: 775-542-2120
or 337-394-1944
Postal address: PO Box 493, St. Martinville, LA 70582

Posted by Fitness Funatic (Hohenwald, TN) on 01/21/2011

I have recently found Apple cider vinegar to be a great "dressing" on my lunch salad. I simply pour 2-3 T apple cider vinegar on the vegetable salad and toss to coat all ingredients before leaving for work in the morning. I seal my salad in an air tight container and pop in the frig when I get to work. Because I need a little sodium in my diet, I sprinkle ever so lightly with sea salt when I make it, and it's scrumptious at lunch! For those trying to follow a plant-based diet, it really adds a little pizzazz to those raw veggies. Enjoy!

Posted by Susan (USA)

Popular Apple Cider Vinegar Books:

Apple Cider Vinegar - A Modern Folk Remedy by the Earth Clinic folks, Daniel P. Kray and Earth Clinic's founder, Deirdre Layne

Our book, so clearly the best of the bunch (and unlike that review, totally unbiased)! In-depth but straightforward, Earth Clinic presents the history, science, and everyday benefits of regular or first-aid use of apple cider vinegar (ACV) as only our decade of experience and global community can do. Look for an update on ACV and baking soda use from Ted as well as great information on just how apple cider vinegar does what it does and how it can best improve your life -- all in a format you can always keep close at hand or share with loved ones. Fans of Ted, Earth Clinic's long esteemed independent contributor, will be eager to see that he gets his own place of honor in the book, with an updated discussion of the role baking soda can play alongside ACV.

Apple Cider Vinegar - Miracle Health System by the Bragg's folks. Best selling book on health benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar
Dr. Earl Mindell's Amazing Apple Cider Vinegar by Earl, R.Ph., Ph.D. Mindell
Amazing Apple Cider Vinegar: The Medicinal Miracle by Earl Mindell
Lose Weight with Apple Cider Vinegar by Earl Mindell

Folk Medicine by DC Jarvis. Highly recommended book!

As reported by a reviewer on Amazon.com: "All that Dr. Jarvis wrote as to what the outcome would be if an individual would follow the stated regime of vinegar, honey, and kelp I can personally attest to. The excruciating joint and muscle pain, the fatigue and chronic upper respiratory infections that were described were written as if he knew me as a patient. Having suffered the paralysis that he described on page 29 in the soft covered edition I knew that he knew and understood in detail exactly what he was writing about. This is a 'must read' for everyone who wants to get well and stay well. For those who exercise and eat right and are well this book should be read for further understanding as to how the body is manufacturing acids, utilizing acids and eliminating acids to keep them that way. This book should be brought to the forefront and promoted as a 'must have' book for every household."

The Healing Powers of Vinegar... by Cal Orey.
The Second Edition
5/29/2006: Cal emailed us: "Good news! The second edition "The Healing Powers of Vinegar: Revised and Updated" (Kensington, Sept. 6) is due to be released soon. Please let your readers know. I have included so much more interesting info--dozens more home cures and health data about amazing vinegars that are used worldwide. Cover image soon to appear. Ready to pre-order at a discount rate."

Vim & Vinegar by Melodie Morel

Honey, Garlic and Vinegar by Patrick Quillin

Apple Cider Vinegar for Weight Loss and Good Health by Cynthia Holzapfel, Cynthia Nofziger

Apple Cider Vinegar Books - view all books listed about this subject at Amazon.

Posted by Susan (USA)

Some apple cider vinegar brands are extremely acidic, causing heartburn and yeast infections. (Note: certain brands of Organic Apple Cider Vinegar stop a yeast infection, yet other brands are so acidic that they can actually cause a yeast infection. Thus start with a lower dose to see how your body responds to the vinegar.) 5% acidity level is what is posted on all apple cider vinegar (ACV) labels, however it seems that some brands are far more acidic than others! We once bought an expensive, organic, unpasteurized brand with a fancy gold label and got terrible heartburn that lasted for hours from just 2 teaspoons' worth!