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Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects

| Modified on May 22, 2025
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Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Michelle (Europe) on 04/04/2020

WATCH OUT!

Apple cider vinegar is extremely acidic and it pickles the liver. The liver cells struggle to stay balanced and perform as they fight for oxygen, because vinegar steals oxygen from the bloodstream and the liver. ACV (like any vinegar) comes into the stomach extremely acidic. The liver must put a halt to it immediately and use its every reserve to try to alkalize or at least neutralize it. The ACV fights back, and its acidic nature is so strong that the stomach loses the battle many times over. Instead of alkalizing your gut, it does the opposite. It weakens hydrochloric acid and breaks down gastric juices and heads down the pike still acidic. It's basically an assault on the stomach and intestinal tract. For more information on the effects of apple cider vinegar on the liver, see book "Liver rescue" from Medical Medium Anthony William.

Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Anna (Minnesota) on 02/11/2020

I used apple cider vinegar for years and then I noticed my legs and ankles hurting, I thought it was me just getting old. I stopped taking the acv and the pain went away. When I tried it again the pain came back, so I know it was the acv.

Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Lynn (CA) on 12/11/2020 5 posts

For some people: Be careful of celery juice. I was drinking it daily for a week and noticed my tongue was getting numb. During the 2nd week, my mouth was numb inside too. The only thing I changed was adding the celery juice (4 stalks with some water) daily. I did some research and found out that celery naturally contains eugenol which is an an anesthetic. This does affect a lot of people but not all. So if you notice any numbing inside your mouth after drinking celery juice, it's not in your head. I had to quit drinking it.

Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Tyb (Tx) on 06/29/2018

I recently started drinking the ACV detox and my skin is breaking out and my discharge has a light scent of apple cider vinegar..is that normal? Does anyone know why or how to stop it?

Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Charity (Faithville, Usa) on 08/18/2017

When you use it it starts to fight the yeast in your body, so it causes outbreaks. I get yeast infections when I detox or eat too much kefir or any other good thing. Yeast is a large battle to fight. I am not fighting mine anymore. I am just slowly bringing my health back and good microbes and Ph balance. Keep on the healthy track but go slow and low dose.

Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Bb (California) on 12/17/2015

I read some information about ACV and it's positive effect on candida growth so I thought I would give it a try. After trying it twice a day (one tablespoon to 8 oz of water) for four days, I gave up. It was making me sick. I was having heartburn and feeling generally unwell and tired. I usually wake up in the morning with energy but instead I am dragging myself out of bed and struggling through the day. I just don't understand why it affects me this way but I am done!

Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Mama to Many (TN) on 11/14/2022

Dear EB,

I think post-menopausal bleeding from apple cider vinegar is not very common. It seems like it would be more likely in women who have other risk factors that would make them prone to post-menopausal bleeding.

I am post-menopausal and still use it as needed. (Which is less than I used to need it.) It has never caused an issue for me.

(Progesterone cream, for the record, did cause post-menopausal bleeding for me, but that resolved immediately when I stopped using it.)

If you are new to using apple cider vinegar, try just a modest amount - maybe 1-3 teaspoons a day. That is often enough to solve many issues or for general health. It seems like taking that amount daily would be no more likely to cause bleeding than would taking a glass of apple cider or drinking a glass of wine on a daily basis.

I hope you find it wonderfully helpful!

~Mama to Many~

Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Mama (TN) on 03/24/2021

Dear Eleana,

When my go-to remedies for a gallbladder attack do not work, usually a castor oil poultice with a heating pad will calm things down. See this page for more info: https://www.earthclinic.com/remedies/castor_oil.html

But if I am having frequent attacks, it means I am due for a gallbadder flush/cleanse.

I hope you feel better soon. I know it is miserable.

~Mama to Many~

Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Mark (Cookeville, TN) on 11/12/2022

If your potassium is low or you're taking any diuretic meds, apple cider vinegar will cause an increased heart rate which happened to me last night.

Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Charity (Faithville, Us) on 06/04/2018

I drink tsp a day in cup of water with a straw...how much did you drink? Stones will break down with Chanca piedra herb....

Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Mary (Nj) on 04/20/2018

I would just like to quick add that yes Apple Cider Vinegar does really seem to help some people, it is soooo the opposite for me. *It is not one size fits all! * In my home 2 of us do NOT handle Apple Cider Vinegar well & the other 2 of us are fine & helped. Just because you, your relative, or your neighbor has success with Apple Cider Vinegar does not mean that all others will. FYI ours is the organic kind, in a glass bottle, & of course with the "mother". Also worth noting, Apple Cider Vinegar was bad for the health of one our black labs, but our other lab is perfectly fine with it. ---My negative reactions (that I am aware of) are as follows: my mineral count gets all messed up, my PH actually drops pretty badly, my body temp drops significantly, joints get very painful, general unwell feeling, can be constipating, & some serious tummy/gut pain. It is a shame, because I want it to help with x/y/z, but I wind up worse.

Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Saydee (Cape Town) on 04/19/2018

I have been taking apple cidar vinegar with lemon juice and cinnamon and honey and at first I would go to the bathroom first thing, but now I feel bloated and nasuaes during the day especially in the morning. Is this normal or what?

Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Mwangi (Nyeri, Kenya) on 08/27/2017

It's possible that ACV is only bringing out the yeast that is already in your system---healing crisis---that manifests itself as an infection.

Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Yarn Lover (Tx) on 12/02/2017

It sounds your body was going through a detox period. It gets bad before the healing comes. You should start it again and push through it.

Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Mmsg (Somewhere, Europe) on 01/21/2015

Wodell333, my guess is that you are taking too much.

Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Dawn (Virginia) on 02/21/2018

Hello. I read your comment regarding Jogging in a Jug and I would like to share the recipe with you.

1 quart 100% Concord Grape Juice

1 quart 100% pure Apple Juice

1 cup Apple Cider Vinegar (such as Bragg's)

Mix all ingredients in large container and drink 2 ounces per day.

Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Deirdre (Atlanta, GA) on 06/20/2010

Editor's Choice

In addition to the side effects I reported recently re Hyaluronic Acid, a new sensitivity to apple cider vinegar has developed after many, many years of drinking it on and off. I am becoming quite sensitive as I age, I guess.

I recently had to stop taking my favorite remedy on Earth Clinic due to multiple and at times severe side effects: heart palpitations, dizziness, vertigo, light headedness, anxiety, and panic attacks in the car (due to feeling dizzy). Hard to believe these side effects were caused by a benign home remedy such as vinegar, but it's true. I know other people on the site have reported similar symptoms over the years and I am wondering if they were also drinking apple cider vinegar!

It took me many months to figure out that apple cider vinegar (acv) was the cause of these symptoms because I only took it intermittantly. As soon as I'd start having symptoms, I'd stop drinking acv, caffeine and any food or drink that I thought might be causing the issues. What threw me for a loop however, was that a few of my symptoms (light headedness, dizziness) would continue for another 7-10 days. That's how long it took to leave my system! I knew it had to be something I was eating, drinking or taking (supplements, home remedies, etc), but the exact trigger eluded me.

My doctor finally had me wear a heart monitor for 2 days to figure out what was going on. I was told to try and trigger the palpitations. That was very easy... all I did was drink 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar in water and the palpitations (pre-atrial contractions to be exact) began 20 minutes later. Once the palpitations started after drinking the acv, I exacerbated my symptoms with cardio exercise, caffeine, and an acupuncture session where needles were placed in the heart meridian. All confirmed with my heart monitor test. Alone, neither caffeine nor acupuncture nor exercise caused any symptoms. However, in conjunction with acv, big problem.

I haven't touched acv other than topically in 6 weeks and guess what, absolutely no symptoms! What a relief to finally know the cause.

I love this remedy. In fact as you many of you know, it was the very first one on Earth Clinic. I am saddened to have to stop taking what I believe is one of the best home remedies on this site. However, I wanted people to be aware of potential side effects. Thankfully, I had a 20 year run of drinking apple cider vinegar regularly without any side effects!

Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Cindy (Illinois, USA) on 06/03/2021 541 posts

After suffering near fatal dehydration, I suspect heart palpitations are the FIRST sign of fluid in the heart sack which becomes more and more recognizable as such, as time passes, without water.

Personally, I suspect palpitations and fluid in the heart sack is the body's way of increasing the blood pressure and speeding up the heart beat in its efforts to pump a low blood volume up to the brain to keep you conscious and give you time to find water without falling over and getting eaten by a tiger.

I also suspect most illness is due the body's sacrifice of less important systems and organs to maintain blood flow to the brain in a sick society where more than half of the population is dehydrated.

It can take years to get properly hydrated, as the body adjusts itself to the availability of water, rebooting organs and systems it had been shutting down, repairing damage and clearing toxins that have built up due to what water it had been forced to use being just plain dirty but one will begin to feel a whole lot better right away.

The old representation of a person CRAWLING through the desert to get to water isn't only due to weakness but also to the fact that lowering the head allows the heart to get blood to the brain to keep one conscious. In the same way it renders one unconscious to put them flat out on the floor so blood can get to the brain to keep them alive.

Histamine, headaches, dizziness, indigestion/GERD/hiatal hernia, kidney stones, all aspects of dryness and all illness caused by acidity are all symptoms of dehydration and most people are chronically dehydrated.

And this is why indigestion can be remedied with the super simple remedy of two glasses of water. Yes, it "dilutes the acid" but that's water's most important job - carrying things, keeping blood volume optimal and pH CONTROL - to protect the body from the acidity of its own waste - I.e. "buffering" aka alkalizing aka raising pH.

If you don't want to drink water every two hours, then add a little pinch of sea salt and call it a dose of trace minerals or medicine or oxygen or food or whatever it takes to get your mind onboard but DO it.

Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Ella (London) on 06/05/2022

Thank you for reporting apple cider vinegar's side effects.

Some people are genetically sensitive to tyramines, which apple cider vinegar contains. Unfortunately, ACV causes me to experience panic attack symptoms.

Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Mimi (Georgia ) on 11/06/2018

Hi, Zanybees. I can relate, however not personally. I recommended apple cider vinegar (without the maple syrup) to a family member and felt horrible when she told me she experienced hair loss! She did achieve health benefits also; losing a few stubborn pounds and gained more energy, but I am still curious as to why this happened. I don't think it should be used on a daily basis by everyone.

Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Teena (Melbourne, Australia) on 07/07/2018 233 posts

Marilyn, a couple of things for you to try to continue taking the Apple Cider Vinegar and bs, you can either attempt for a one week period taking only the baking soda, then slowly reintroduce the acv, at a smaller dose, or simply cut your dosage in half until you find what works for you. Eg. If you now do one half teaspoon of bs twice a day cut down to 1/4, then 1/8,1/16 etc, if you get down to a pinch then so be it, you have to find what works for you. You can always increase later. You can also alternate lemon/ lime with the bs. I believe you have toxins which explains the diaorrhea. Best to you

Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Astranger (New Delhi) on 04/20/2018

So..someone suggested me to take apple cider vinegar in the morning (empty stomach) for reducing belly fat and I started doing that since last couple of weeks. Today I missed to take it and what I realized is that my ankle pain is very mild today than what it was yesterday and day before. (I have mild ankle pain from a year or so.) Yesterday, the pain was more and I was able to notice it when I started driving. That's why I started searching on google to see if Apple Cider Vinegar is responsible for my increasing my ankle pain. But everywhere on internet I see it reduces such pain.

Confused.. I will try to monitor for next few days and I guess that is the only way I will get the right answer..

Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Catalina (Kapaau, Hi) on 01/04/2018

Two weeks ago I was diagnosed with calcium deposits in my shoulders. I began using apple cider vinegar to resolve the crystals. Yesterday I suddenly became extremely dizzy and went to the hospital. I was told I had benign positional vertigo. Could the apple cider vinegar have released crystals in my ear?

Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Rskorj (Ga) on 02/17/2018

I doubt that BPV is brought on by Taking apple cider vinegar. If you were diagnised correctly - You may have bumped your head somehow to cause the crystals to move out of their correct place. My husband got BPV from trying to get the water out of his ear after showering by hitting the side of his head repeatedly. BPV can be fixed by special manouvers that get the crystals back into place. There are videos on you tube that show you how to do it.

Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Phyllis (Tuscumbia, Alabama) on 01/21/2015

Hello Wodel333,

I agree with both suggestions given so far. You may be having these symptoms from detoxing effects, on the other hand you may be taking too much. The only time I've ever taken six tablespoons in a day was to get rid of gall stones.

Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Lonna (Alma, Mi) on 09/08/2017

I fight candida and actually have lyme manifested as Rheumatoid Arthiritis. It seems like ACV is a remedy that covers so much. I am right now using it get my Fall allergies under control, which are causing a lot of mucus and coughing and lack of oxygen. The dose I was given to take each time is 1 TBS 4 times daily. Your dose seems very high. You have to dilute even 1 TBS because it is do acidic. I also just read that it can take magnesium and potassium from your body. That could cause problems with arthritis if you don't boost your magnesium. Magnesium is necessary to make calcium balance and absorb.

Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Mike62 (Denver) on 01/15/2014

Mily75: I make 1 gallon daily of a home brewed ferment similar to ACV and have not had any side effects. Detox reactions can occur anywhere in the body. The cells of a weakened immune system can miscommunicate causing allergic reactions. Because 70% of the immune system is the digestive system where the problems seem to be maybe strengthening this area would be a good idea. There are many favorable reviews on amazon for rutin for hemorrhoids. At the same place you can get the best remedy for improving the immune system, a 17 mushroom blend extract from Washington. For constipation take black chia seeds. These are very high in soluable fiber and have many favorable reviews for the colon. For the bitter taste in mouth google lifestyle karma bitter taste in mouth. For nutritional support watch raw food videos.

Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Jenine-lacette (California) on 08/05/2017

Try turmeric in coconut milk with a little black pepper for absorption. I also add cinnamon and stevia. Some like to heat it a little but it works cold, too. When I get stressed, the reflux can appear. By taking even just 2 oz of this Golden Milk, as it is called in India, the problem is gone, all is quiet, and I can sleep.

Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Jeannie (Fargo) on 03/27/2018

Try switching shampoos they have lots of hormones in them... I went to baby shampoo to test it... and all this time it's really the shampoos that cause breakouts in my case.....

Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Cindy (Illinois, USA) on 02/12/2023 541 posts

Perhaps ACV would be better viewed as "medicine" - I.e. as a remedy - rather than as some sort of food or supplement?

In the wild, animals eat things that aren't food - presumably for the medicinal effects - that they obviously don't consider food. Which makes perfect sense. I'm going to stop drinking my sours everyday. See what happens. I'm not losing hair but since I've been drinking it everyday for a couple weeks, I should be able to detect some effect of stopping.

I'm also going to slow down and rearrange my iodine dosing, based on my state of being, as there's no point to rushing a non-lethal detox to the point of creating disorder. I LIKE feeling good and DON'T like feeling so sleepy.

Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Vt (Ny) on 07/06/2018

I have started taking ACV 2 tsp in warm water on an empty stomach and have noticed my urine staring to smell bad. Is this a normal side effect?

Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Mmsg (Somewhere, Europe) on 08/18/2017

Gypsylady, might lemon juice do?

Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Carly (Usa) on 01/15/2014

Hi Mily75, I had the bitter, metallic taste in my mouth a while back. I googled everything I had been eating and using...and came up with my toothpaste being the cause. I had been using Sensodyne Pronamel at the time, and there are many things written about it causing a metal, bitter taste on the web. I stopped using it, and the taste went away fairly fast (a day or two if I remember correctly). Anyway, you might want to google your toothpaste and mouthwash brands along with "bitter taste" or "metallic taste" and see if there is any info on the web. Even if you have been using the same product for years, it can start giving you trouble at any time....sometimes the manufacturer will change ingredients, etc also. just another thought, something else to look at. Good luck, I know how icky that taste / feeling is!

Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Debbie (Shippensburg, Pa) on 12/07/2024

I read a decent amount of these posts from people experiencing side effects after taking acv. I noticed (at least in all the posts I read) they never mentioned adding baking soda to it. I wonder if that's why they get the side effects???

Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Cat (Austin, Tx) on 02/28/2012

My mother-in-law suffered with your symptoms. For Christmas, her family gave her the book "Wheat Belly. " She began implementing the way of eating suggested and her acid reflux, hernia, hoarness in her voice have all gone away. She is amazed at what has happened. She's lost 20 lbs in a month, and, her wheat belly is going down. Now, I'll tell you, this is a women who has had several operations and probes on and into her stomach and guts. She even had her gallbladder and appendix removed because doctors thought these could be causing her stomach ailments. One, simple change - removing grains and milk from her diet - has brought a miracle into her life and her health. Best of luck to you.

Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Mary (Pine City) on 02/20/2023

Grapefruit seed extract nasal spray with xylitol cures a sinus infection. I'd use that since ACV seems to have detrimental side effects for you. I read that most sinus infections are caused by a fungus and GSE kills it.

I came down with diverticulitis recently. ACV took away the pain and bloating. Good side effects for me were more sound sleep and greatly reduced swelling in my arthritic fingers. No detriment after just two weeks of taking it daily. I'll keep an eye on other symptoms some people can experience.

Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Michael (London) on 01/03/2018
 ★★★★★

Finally I have found an explanation. Had been having Acv in salad dressings but r centky started Keto way if eating and bought supplements and Acv. Took supplements and then drank half a pint of water with half a tablespoon of Acv. Suddenly had this weird feeling and panic attack - felt like low blood sugar or low blood pressure. Thought it was maybe interaction with the supplements so cut the supplements and next day had a few drops with avocado and boom - heart racing - heart rate up - panic attack - no more Acv for me.

Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Apoorva (India) on 09/11/2017

While I was surfing about ACV, I also read that it lowers blood pressure. Maybe, the headaches are due to that. I had bit of headache too but I started taking remedies like consume a bit of salt, coffee and its fine. Headaches are stronger when I take ACV empty stomach as there is more chance for blood pressure drop.

Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Tamara (GA) on 08/11/2021

Yes! I was taking 1 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar daily with water, and I am losing hair too!!!!

Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Asma (NSW) on 02/10/2023

It's happening same with me.

The scalp produces natural oils to maintain cleanliness and shine. The apple cider vinegar not only strips away leftover products, it strips away the natural oils. If this is done too much, it can lead to thinning and breakage of hair.

Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Asma (NSW) on 02/10/2023

Yes, I am having badly hair fall and dandruff after ACV.

Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Hollyhock (America ) on 02/11/2023

So glad to see this post! I've been drinking ACV every day for several months and was losing hair like crazy, but never put two and two together till reading this! I also added a little ACV to my shampoo as well. Thank you!

Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by KT (Usa) on 07/07/2018

Hi Marilyn,

Maybe not adding the BS to the ACV would help. I would try taking the BS separately, thirty minutes or so after you have a meal.

KT

Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Tim (Georgia (Rep.of)) on 07/08/2018 21 posts

Hi. Kelly

Stop consuming ACV for a week - start with 1-2 drops of ACV in 1oz of water after meal - increase the dose by 1 drop so as water by 1 oz each week - find your dose - start to use before meal when you have a succesfull try - otherwise reduce the dose and return to recent use - needs no additives as it is self-sufficient to treat and is suitable for long term use unlike soda(good for 1 month use) - wash your whole oral with water diluted peroxide/or water (1:1) each time.

Good luck.

Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Lou (Montreal, Canada) on 08/09/2018

My experience is that I get nausea whenever I add baking soda, otherwise, it is just fine with 1 tbsp of ACV and equal amount of lemon juice in 8 once's warm water.

Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Caitlin (Georgia) on 10/10/2020

You can drink celery juice instead!

Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Vicky (Los Angeles) on 06/02/2018

After drinking apple vinegar with mother, I was seriously constipated for two days like stones.

Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by eleana (sweden) on 03/24/2021

I am about to buy this - but need it from another country - England and god knows when it will arrive then.

Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Mario (Tx) on 04/21/2018

For some reason, ACV aggravated my constipation and made it worse.

Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by Anon (Usa) on 10/24/2017

I have been upping my probiotics. I use about one bottle of kombucha (which I adore) ever other day and varying amounts of raw ACV (which I also like). I have been getting hives whenever I use them now. Hives doesn't seem like a common detox reaction. My scalp is especially affected, my waist, and then just spots here and there. I have had dandruff and itchy oily scalp for years. Recently I tried a different shampoo which appears to have eliminated the dandruff and oil. It isn't even a dandruff shampoo. I like using ACV in place of soap in the shower and to condition my hair.

Apple Cider Vinegar Side Effects
Posted by MICHELLE (Eastern North Carolina) on 05/22/2023

This is very interesting. I tried taking ACV but every day I got diarrhea. One time I tried for 4 days straight but still diarrhea and when I stopped I ended up with a white coated tongue that is still there over a week later. What to do?


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