Apple Cider Vinegar: Uses, Health Benefits and FAQ

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.

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!

*** THYROID MEDICATION AND APPLE CIDER VINEGAR WARNING!

Deirdre, apple cider vinegar (ACV) is wonderful, but may be you should post a warning for people with thyroid (and may be other conditions) to give a gap of at least 4 hours between taking thyroid medication and ACV, because otherwise ACV seems to interfere with the absorption of thyroid medicine and the results are not what we would like to see. This might also be true for iron supplements.

Regards, Sangeetha

If you suck apple cider vinegar through a straw, it doesn't bother your teeth nearly as much! (Remember not to brush your teeth for an hour afterwards since it softens the enamel.)"

05/11/2009: markkimb from dothan, alabama,america replies: "I can't drink apple cider vinegar, I bought capsules, 500mg. each. Help! I have no idea how much, or how often to take. Trying to help my acid reflux, any suggestions would help.thanks"

08/15/2009: Winniekate from Northern, Il replies: "Regarding: "Remember not to brush your teeth for an hour afterward since it softens the enamel.

04/13/2009: Amy from League City, Texas"Did you mean to say to Brush your teeth afterward? Or is brushing too harsh for teeth? Also, am I right in assuming from this that the enamel returns to its original strength after an hour? Thanks."

09/28/2009: E from Nw, Fl replies: "regarding the brushing your teeth...yes she is saying NOT to brush immediately, My dental hygienists have always said don't brush if you vomit (I think this might have been when I was pregnant) just to rinse with water to remove the excess acid from your mouth but if you brush immediately it can damage the enamel on your teeth since the acid has broken it down temporarily. So the poster is saying wait before brushing. Your saliva will help counteract/re balance the correct ph balance in your mouth...you could always brush your tongue and gums gently and then rinse gently but just don't scrub the teeth. Hope this helps! :)"

01/18/2010: Dandygirl from Newport Beach, Ca replies: "I have suffered from GERD...heartburn/acide reflux etc... for years...have been on medication for years and finally found my cure! I started with digestive enzymes combined with 2 apple cider vinegar pills with EVERY meal...now I ONLY use apple cider vin pills with every meal and I have NO MORE heartburn or acid reflux! I also always keep papaya enzymes to chew on after a heavy meal or anytime between meals! It's like a MIRACLE!!! :o)"

01/31/2011: Andrea from Springfield, Missouri Usa replies: "Why not try rinsing your mouth with water or bottled water to get the vinegar off of your teeth so it doesn't ruin the enamel rather than waiting an hour for your ph to return the salivia to normal, because it is probobly just eating the enamel off of your teeth during that hour after taking the ACV.

WARNING!

Be careful if you decide to buy apple cider vinegar capsules. They are extremely acidic and can cause heartburn. However, they are a useful alternative if you are worried about protecting your dental enamel.

It's suggested that Apple Cider Vinegar has such curative abilities because it causes one's pH levels to become more alkaline. If you are going to try apple cider vinegar for allergies, or even to prevent sickness, we suggest you do an investigation of your own by buying a pH test kit at a local pharmacy, garden nursery, or even pool supply store. You can use these kits or pH strips to test your urine to see if you are more alkaline or acid during an allergy attack, virus or bacterial infection. Once you ascertain your pH levels, you can adjust adjust your dosage of Apple Cider Vinegar accordingly.

If you live in a highly polluted area like we do (Los Angeles) where allergies and sinus infections are rampant, your system may better balance itself with a small dose of apple cider vinegar each day. Ultimately we suggest you experiment with a kit to find the pH balance your body functions optimally at. Want to know more about pH? Click here.

Our Bangkok contributor Ted tells us, "Apple Cider Vinegar in itself is alkaline because of its "ash" content, which means if the apple cider vinegar was burned, what is left over becomes ash. When you check for the pH of that ash and dissolve it with water, the content is alkaline. Whenever our body digests anything, it undergoes oxidation, which is similar to burning and the end result is that you can determine whether the end product was alkaline or acid. Apple Cider Vinegar has anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and anti-viral properties, primarily coming from the malic acid and acetic acid portion of the vinegar. Apple cider vinegar acts as a buffer in the body because the acetic acid reacts with base or acid compounds to form an acetate, therefore rendering them chemically bioavailable for the body's utilization. Additionally, Apple Cider Vinegar can reduce the toxicity of certain compounds by converting the toxin into an acetate compound, which is less toxic. This is why they are ideal for insect bites and certain skin allergies. While Apple Cider vinegar in itself is considered alkaline, a chemically pure vinegar (acetic acid) is neither acid nor basic forming as it leaves no ash as the entire portion, when burned evaporates completely. Ted

WARNING: This post on EC states that potassium supplements will lower high blood pressure. I worry that it may not be stated clearly enough: potassium supplements In Natural Forms may lower high blood pressure. Strictly taking potassium pills may actually kill you. I am speaking from experience with a doctor.

If you need potassium, make sure it is within a natural product that you may consume. That is the safest way to supplement it."

02/09/2011: Jfb Maarketing from Toronto, Ontario, Camada replies: "Hey I just started using this remedy and l can tell you one thing l am starting to feel younger and fully of energy. Have since stopped smoking and have more energy then l have had in years... Thanks for all the great information so far love all you have written about all of this great and best of all inexpensive methods of taking care of your body...

All the Best, JFB"

03/05/2011: Jms from Albany, Ny replies: "I have read everything up to this point, and I have to ask. Just above, the USDA data indicated absolutely NO vitamins or amino acids in apple cider vinegar (ACV). There are minerals, I'll give you that. But, honestly, for any other claims, how do I know it's not just wishful thinking? My ACV bottle has a pretty much empty list of nutritional info...

Scientists have reportedly measured ninety different substances in apple cider vinegar such as thirteen types of carbolic acids, four aldehydes, twenty ketones, eighteen types of alcohols, eight ethyl acetates etc. It also contains important minerals, trace elements and vitamins as well acetic acid, propionic acid, lactic acid, enzymes, amino acids as well as roughage in the form of potash and apple pectin.

Apple Cider Vinegar contains minerals and trace elements such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, chlorine, sodium, sulfur, copper, iron, silicon, fluorine. An alternative to drinking apple cider vinegar may be to take potassium supplements, as potassium is known to absorb excess fluids (ie, mucous) in the body. Drink lots of water if you take potassium supplements so you don't get dehydrated! Potassium, by the way, lowers high blood pressure.

Apple Cider Vinegar's vitamin content includes Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin A, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B6, Provitamin beta-carotene, Vitamin P (bioflavonoids).

Does it have to be organic ACV? I have a 2 quart bottle of White House ACV. The bottle says it's all natural from fresh apples. I'm trying to use it for very oily skin and low libido. lease let me know how to use this product.

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

BLOOD PRESSURE:

The potassium in ACV along with other substances makes the blood thinner and is helpful in controlling blood pressure.

CHOLESTEROL CONTROL:

Many heart attacks are caused by high fats and cholesterol in your blood. The fiber in ACV helps to absorb fats and cholesterol by expelling them from the body as waste materials.

DIABETES:

The dietary fiber in ACV is also helpful in controlling glucose levels in the blood.

ARTHRITIC PAINS:

Many suffer from this disease in the west and it is caused by the gathering of metabolic toxic waste in the tissues. In this context, ACV speeds up metabolism and excretes the toxic wastes from the tissues.

STRONG BONES:

Minerals like manganese, calcium, magnesium, silicon and iron develop bone mass and make them stronger.

YEAST INFECTIONS:

ACV is also useful for yeast infections like Candida caused by the unbalance of acid levels in the body. Making a solution of ACV in warm water and douching can help with the symptoms.

CHEST CONGESTION:

Apple cider vinegar is also useful in flu or chest congestion. Applying ACV with pepper on the chest can help relieve some of the congestion.

SORE THROAT:

If you have a sore throat, gargle with ACV mixed with water.

Hello. Ive been reading a lot about the benefits of Raw Apple Cider Vinegar and just as many articles on solutions for masking the taste to help overcome the vinegary palate. Orange juice, molasses, honey, grapefruit juice... And the list goes on. Is it just me... Or hasn't anyone else thought of taking good old raw unfiltered apple cider with the mother (or is that the grandmother? ;) and adding it back to it's relative? Is this Like kissing your sister? Canibalism? Lol. I tried it, (also shaking the apple cider so that the sediment on the bottom got into the mix) and I lived! Wasn't sure if I would, seeing it seemed like overkill. Any ideas? At first I thought it was not suggested because lots of sugar, or acid, but that's the same with orange or grapefruit juice. Why don't they just make raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar tablets with the Mother? They could use all the "mother" they filter from clear cooking vinegar. Do I think too much?

Hi Loraine,

I have been searching for posts on ACV and most posts are from 2008-2009 but I finally found yours. I have a question I take a table spoon of apple cider vinegar in a half liter water. I wonder if it is better to take the vinegar on its own.

I want to use it for acid reflux or just reflux. I avoid most foods that are acidic and know which ones are alkaline but I get reflux as soon as I eat what is normal meal for most people... If I want to stay away from trouble I need a child meal or very little food and also drinking water far away from meals. I went to the restaurant yesterday and it was bad but I didn't want to leave tasty and expensive food on my plate!

Anyone who is reading this let me know if taking ACV without water would be better for me since having water around lunch and dinner makes me regurgitate.

Also, is it good to mix my honey with the ACV. So far I take honey on an empty stomach.

Thanks

Got it in QMart

35 yr old male, I too got a bout of shingles on my back. Doctors said it was too late for cream treatment. It blistered and pain became unbearable so I tried ACV swabs 5 times a day. It stopped the pain and in a couple of days it had cleared up. Amazing!!

A month ago, I had doubts about apple cider vinegar (ACV)... Many thanks to this site. I have not used my asthma maintenance med (Symbicort) for a month now.

Heart failure and diabetic people also can take this ACV every day? Any side effect?

Where do I get apple cidar vinegar in India, especially Hyderabad? I had a hard time finding it in stores.

Actually, for those of you saying that you should not take vinegar orally, there are three well done, peer reviewed studies in recognized medical journals such as Diabetes Care. These show an improvement in blood sugar and insulin levels taking either at bedtime or before a meal. These studies were done with both apple cider and white vinegar. I wouldn't mix with baking soda as I saw no studies on that, but to say that it is harmful to take vinegar by mouth (I think 2 tbsp was the dose) is not backed up by research. (No studies were about toe fungus, however, they do promote the use of vinegar by mouth for systemic effect)

My great great aunt takes 2 tsps ACV straight every morning. She is 89 and still going strong. As soon as I turned 20 I started taking a "shot" of ACV in the morning. The vinegar was much too strong on my stomach first thing so after a few days I started mixing it with some local honey and water and would mix it all in a glass. It is so good it tastes like apple cider with a kick.

The non-organic ACV should work just as well for you. In fact, in my case, the non-organic ACV worked better for me than the organic brand did.

Hi every one I have thyroid disease- hyperthyroid. I want to use apple cider vinegar. If anyone can tell me, is there any difference between apple cider vinegar and organic apple cider vinegar because in my culture it is only one kind of Apple Cider Vinegar- not organic. Thanks plz help me.

I drink a shot of apple cider vinegar with water every evening. I have heard taking Apple Cider Vinegar when taken daily causes esophagal, pancreas and liver cancer. Have you heard this too?

No harm will come in taking ACV straight up daily. I drink 1 once with half a teaspoon of cayenne pepper every day with no problems. I workout every day and it prevents lactic acid build up.