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.

Apple Cider Vinegar Tips


Posted by Carolyn (Hobbs, Nm Usa) on 09/29/2009

Premixing ACV and Honey

If you are having trouble getting the honey to mix with the ACV try this. I talked to the B__gg people and they said it is fine to do this. I mix 1 c. ACV and 1/2 c. Honey together and put into an empty ACV bottle. Then when I am ready to drink it I take out 1 Tablespoon full and mix in 8 oz. water and drink. I don't mix up any more than that because the B__gg folks said to not keep it over a week like that. Works great for me and saves a lot of time.

Thanks,
Carolyn

EC: Thanks for finding that out and sharing it with us!


Apple Cider Vinegar Tips
Posted by Harold (Lantana, Florida) on 09/29/2009

After reading this website I went to the grocery store to buy ACV. All the brands had what was called 5% reduced> Are these effective as Organic? If not where do you purchase organic? And what do they mean by 5% reduced?

Thanks
Harold

EC: Many grocery stores are now selling organic apple cider vinegar. We've seen it stocked at Publix and Kroger in their "healthy eating" section.

Replied by Kathy
(Dubois, Pa)
09/30/2009

Grocery store ACV (acetic acid) starts out as "glacial" acetic acid...that is, water-free acetic acid, which has a pH of 2.4. They then take that glacial acetic acid and water it down to a pH of 5 to get a standardized solution of acetic acid that they label "vinegar"...in other words they "reduce" the acidity to 5 percent. That is what they mean by "reduced to 5 percent". I don't' know if what they call organic vinegar is also just diluted glacial acetic acid, so I'll find out by reading the label the next time I go to the store. Personally, organic vinegar is so much more expensive than regular vinegar that it is not worth the price. Plus, it is very easy to make your own organic vinegar at home. Buy a gallon of organic apple cider. Remove the lid, and cover the top with several thicknesses of cheesecloth, secured with a rubber band (to keep the fruit flys out). Stir the cider around to introduce air into it and in a few weeks, it will naturally turn to vinegar. Put the cap on and shake the cider every day to make sure that air is getting into it (acetobacteria are an aerobic species and need oxygen to do their work). You can also innoculate your cider with a small amount of vinegar (organic or regular) to get the fermentation going. Given time and oxygen, cider or wine will turn to vinegar.

p.s. and in case you haven't noticed, regular old grocery store vinegar will also develop a mother culture over time, so there is nothing special about organic vinegar except the price.

Replied by Tanya
(Hailey, Id)
09/30/2009

Thank you for this recipe! I have always wondered how to do this!

Replied by Kathy
(Dubois, Pa)
09/30/2009

Oh, no problem, Tanya. But be aware that the fermentation will draw fruit flys. And btw, the vinegar is ready when the cider smells and tastes like vinegar...let your nose and tastebuds be your guide. Also, homemade vinegar can vary in acidity and sometimes have a pH of above (meaning more alkaline than) 5, which is why it shouldn't be used for water-bath canning of pickles, relishes, etc. In other words, home made vinegar may not be acidic enough to deter botulism in water-bath processed home-canned goods.

Replied by Anon
(Anon)
10/11/2017

What IS special about expensive "organic" ACV is its lack of pesticides. Apples are one of the most heavily pesticides crops. If "regular" store vinegar were "organic" it would be declared boldly on the label because "organic" is a selling point that allows them to demand a higher price for it. "Regular" vinegar is neither "organic" nor equal to organic ACV.


Apple Cider Vinegar Tips
Posted by Pam (Orange County, Ca) on 09/23/2009

I have side effects after taking 2 TBS ACV diluted in a 8 oz cup of water twice a day - a lot of gas and bloating problem, even acid reflex, I think. Anyway, I couldn't sleep at night. That's how uncomfortable it made my stomach and chest feel. Then, I tried two ways to ease the problem. One is adding about 1/4-1/2 TS of baking soda to the drink. It worked. But, I was concerned about the side effects of using the baking soda mentioned on this web site, so I switched my ACV drink to a lower dosage - 1 TBS ACV with a full glass of water, and always drink it after a meal. Either way helps my problem. Oh, I also found out another great way to stop the gas/bloating problem - apples. It really works. But, it seems green apples work the best. Hope the tips would help anyone with the same problem.


Apple Cider Vinegar Tips
Posted by Bonnie (Stroud, Glos Uk) on 09/13/2009

I have discovered a great way to take apple cider vinegar with no taste. I bought some empty caplets 00 size off the internet.If you google empty caplets a whole list of companies come up. Then i use an empty dropper and fill them up and take them like that with plain water to swallow them. The kind of dropper i use is the sort you get for putting drops in your ears for ear wax etc as i have not seen any to buy . Taking them this way also protects the tooth enamel as it doesn't touch your teeth. I know you can get apple cider pills but there is a big question as to how much apple cider vinegar is actually in each pill and what do they do to it to get into the pill state. The empty caplet way is a sure way of getting pure apple cider vinegar in a tasteless way.You have to make them up fresh or they dissolve but it takes no time at all. I take 5 at a time as this is about a teaspoon full on the 00 size caplets

Replied by Crystal
(Salyersville, Ky, USA)
09/13/2009

I was having a terrible time trying to take ACV and then I followed a post that ted responded to and he said o mix 1 teaspoon ACV and 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda in a cup and then wait for it to stop fizzing and then add 1/2 a cup of water. I was so excited because you could not taste or smell the ACV. I am 39, female, with lupus and fibromyalgia.

Eric
(Lethbridge, Alberta)
03/03/2016

Mixing with baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) would neutralize all the acids (acetic, malic, ascorbic, etc.) that are in apple cider vinegar defeating the purpose of taking it!

Replied by Dave
(Fountain Inn, Sc)
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.


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.

Replied by Sylvia
(Toronto, Canada)
06/23/2008

I would suggest rinsing the mouth with water and not brushing for 2 hours so the tooth enamel can harden again.


Apple Cider Vinegar With the Mother

Posted by Mamaleah (San Rafael, Ca) on 01/17/2012

What kind of Apple Cider Vineger is everyone using? I have a bottle that says Organic pasteurized Unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar but I heard it's supposed to be raw for the affects? Does anyone know if that is true? Thank you.:)

Replied by Zai
(Houston, Tx)
02/12/2012

Best kind of organic Apple Cider Vinegar is B______(there is a book available for it with the zillion of reasons why you should drink acv) and So____. Don't bother with Heinz - you want the organic acv. You want it slightly cloudy and with some residue at the bottom. I am currently looking for research regarding Apple Cider Vinegar and cancer. I would presume that taking Apple Cider Vinegar would be a good choice because it would neutralize the effects of sugar on the body.


Apple Cider Vinegar With the Mother
Posted by Karen (Sydney, Nsw, Australia) on 04/12/2010

Could someone explain to me what mother is?...thanks in advance..i just started drinking ACV recently, the supermarket brand and it has suppressed my apetite (2 teaspoons to a glass of water)..i have used it neat on atheletes foot (gone in a matter of hours) and used it neat, on a piece of cotten wool, for an under arm rash (also gone in hours)..i love this site..what a Godsend..thanks to everyones input and advice, especially Ted from Thailand...God Bless you all..Sydney... Australia

EC: Hi Karen,

Your question about "the mother" has been asked on the site several times over the years. Here's one answer from Ted that we just found via our search box: https://www.earthclinic.com/remedies/acvinegar_questions.html#Question_1722


Application Tips


Posted by Haines 2154 (Chicago) on 08/16/2023
★★★★★

Starting today using ACV on my back probably 20-25 spots all over….figured out an easy way to reach those unreachable spots!

I used a long handled “ baby bottle brush”…the wire kind with the stiff bristles at the end. I wrapped a cotton pad around the bristles and you can just dip the cotton pad into the bottle of ACV and apply! So easy!

Hoping it works!


Bacterial Vaginosis


Posted by Sake (New York, NY) on 03/02/2009
★★★★★

Apple Cider Vinegar. I am a believer:

I had recurrent B.V for almost 1 year now. Went to the doctor twice, got 2 courses of metrodinazole. THat worked for a while but B.V kept coming back until just this past Saturday, I was lurking right here on Earthclinic and decided to buy some at the healthfood store. I swear the B.V cleared up that SAME DAY. It's been 2 days now, and nary an itch!

Replied by Kh
(Oklahoma City, Ok)
12/18/2009

I have used regular vinegar for years now to clear up any problems in the region. I just buy the disposable douche bottles in the box with solution already in them, pour the solution out and replace with 1 part vinegar and 2 parts water. Do this twice a day for 2 days and then Im fine. It does sting a little at first, but nothing unbearable. The vinegar odor does not last long at all (maybe an hour or two). ACV is alot more powerful than regular vinegar so I would imagine it works better.


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.


Baking Soda Note -- Very Important!


Posted by Barbara (Wallback, WV) on 02/13/2007
★★★★★

Would like to remind everyone that baking soda should not be taken with food, wait one hour after eating, taking soda with food will reduce the acids and enzymes needed for proper digestion. ACV should be taken with food if at all possible, this aids in digestion. Baking soda also is good for you because it changes ph from acid to alkaline, aids is killing bacteria infection, not effective for virus.

EC: We've created a FEEDBACK PAGE for the apple cider vinegar and baking soda combination cure. Click here.

Got questions about Ted's new apple cider vinegar and baking soda cure? You might find the answers to them on our apple cider vinegar and baking soda Question & Answer page.


Best Time to Take Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Peter (Perth, Western Australia) on 09/23/2012

Found some ACV today at the supermarket. It is the kind with "mother" in it. Not knowing how much to take I did what the bottle said and threw a couple of tea spoons in a cup with warm water (about 1/3 full) and drank it.

Any reccomendations on how much and when to take it? What is it supposed to do? Mine is the _____ brand and it says 5.6% acidity and says it's organic. Does any of this matter?

Do we need alkalinity or acidity?

Cheers.

Replied by Ed2010
(Oakville, Canada)
09/23/2012

You can drink at any time, there is no hard and fast rules. Best way to take it is:

add 1 tbsp of Apple Cider Vinegar mix 1/4 baking soda let it fizzle out then add 1 glass of water, mix it and drink. Preferably early in the morning.


Best Time to Take Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Bethyl (Clearwater, Florida) on 05/23/2011

I understand that you should take the ACV 3 times a day, but I'm not sure when. Before meals, after meals or in-between meals?

Replied by Sheila
(San Diego, Ca, Usa)
05/25/2011

When I take it, I drink the diluted ACV before or during a meal. Helps with digestion; stimulating/increasing the digestive acid in the stomach (read this in Jarvis' book), and helping kill off any bacteria in the meal you're consuming.


Best Time to Take Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Mary (Orwigsburg, Pa) on 02/17/2011

I've seen in posts that ACV is to be diluted in water and sipped through a straw throughout the day. I would like to know if I can drink it straight down, with a straw of course, or does it have to be throughout the day?

Replied by Lily
(Brisbane, Queensland, Australia)
02/18/2011

Hi Mary, yes you can drink your apple cider vinegar all in one go. A lot of people do it that way. Cheers Lily.


Best Time to Take Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Tom (Riverside, Ca) on 10/11/2010

CAN YOU TELL ME IF DRINKING 3 1 LITERS OF WATER MIXED WITH 2 TABLESPOONS OF ACV I DRINK ONE AT 9:00 AM 1 AT 12:00 1 AT 3:00PM. IS THIS OK?

Replied by Alfred
(Bangkok, Thailand)
10/12/2010

Tom I have been taking ACV since 1994.. I sold it at my store in San Diego. Which I got of good feedback. I do not think you can overdose on ACV.. Today my birthday only 83.. Fit as a fiddle with ACV amd guidance from Earth clinic Keep it up.. Listen to your Body.. Alfred

Replied by Carly
(Seattle, Wa - Usa)
10/12/2010

Hello and Greetings Alfred! You are so right - I have been taking ACV for over a year now, and I will NEVER quit! I hope to be just half as fit as you are when I am 83, and I will be happy! Best to you, Carly :-)



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