10 Health Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar

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Apple cider vinegar, or cider vinegar, is one of the most popular alternative health remedies in use today. It has been used since ancient times as a remedy for many different ailments. Hippocrates is said to have used it as an antibiotic.

Most of the health benefits of apple cider vinegar are anecdotal and have not been scientifically confirmed. We make no claims about any of the health benefits listed below but offer them up as a starting point for further research on your part.

1. When diluted with water 50/50 it is often used as a toner for the face. Caution should be used when applying as cider vinegar is very dangerous to the eyes.

2. A bath of apple cider vinegar is said to reduce the effects of sunburn. The vinegar soaked on a cloth and applied to sunburn may also be used.

3. Many women have tried a douche of apple cider vinegar as a remedy for yeast infections. However, many others claim that vinegar causes or worsens yeast infections. Some say it depends on the brand used.

4. There are many claims that apple cider vinegar is a powerful weight loss aid. Many people use it in salad dressings or drink a tablespoon diluted in a glass of water once or twice per day.

5. It is said to treat dandruff by destroying the fungus Malassezia furfur and restoring the PH balance of the scalp. Some people recommend applying a 50/50 mixture of water and vinegar, applying it to the scalp, and leaving it to dry. Others suggest applying a couple of tablespoons of straight vinegar to the scalp and leaving it on for an hour or two before rinsing.

6. It has long been promoted as a remedy for arthritis. The National Arthritis Foundation says apple cider vinegar has not been proven effective against arthritis but is harmless to try.

7. A reported treatment for warts is to soak the affected area for 20 minutes per day in a 50/50 mixture of vinegar and water.

8. It is said to be a natural lowerer of bad cholesterol.

9. A teaspoon of cider vinegar in a glass of water per day is said to lower blood pressure.

10. Mother of vinegar, the layer of film that forms on top of the cider, is believed to have antibacterial and antifungal properties.

These ten benefits of apple cider vinegar are just a few of the reported uses for it. Have you used apple cider vinegar with positive or negative results? Post your experiences here and let us know.

Posted by Tracy on October 3, 2007 1:25 PM | DIGG | del.icio.us | furl

1. ramona said on October 20, 2007:

I used apple cider vinegar for 3 months, 2 tsp with water once a day and drastically lowered my colesterol.

2. Ricardo P. Rosario said on October 22, 2007:

I am still on the stage of using apple cider I started 2 week ago and I will be updating you with it's benefits I am 5'6.5" and weigh 240 lb all my blood exams are to the worst results. October 1, 2007 I started to do swimming laps in the morning and going to the gym in the afternoon . I started to eat healthier food like vegetables and less stopped fast foods. I also started to drink apple cider twice a day.

3. mary said on October 24, 2007:

Ricardo, if you want a fast result to improve your condition, do not drink any juice but eat the whole fruits is good for you. Also go on vegetarian and vegan diet is the best. Try to avoid red meat if you can and drink apple cider vinegar 3 times a day or whenever you feel the food consumption bother you. I take apple cider vinegar 3 times a day and whenever when i eat a wrong meal. The best apple cider vinegar is Bragg organic you can find at the WholeFoods stores or Safeway. Make sure you rinse your teeth or brush if possible after taking vinegar. I heard it might affect your teeth but myself i don't have that problem. Take care

4. kp said on October 24, 2007:

I have been using apple cider vinegar for weeks now. Sometimes two times a day and usually in a smoothy along with flax oil, honey and unsulphered blackstrap molassas. I have noticed I feel hot like hot flashes all the time, any thoughts as to why???? Anyone else have this happen?

5. JUDY said on November 8, 2007:

I have started taking apple cider vinegar recently. Can the acid from the drink ruin your stomach?

6. Val said on November 23, 2007:

I have been taking Braggs ACV since 7/07 and my arthritis has gotten worse, blood pressure has gotten higher and very little change in my type 2 diabetis. Any suggestions?

7. DV said on December 5, 2007:

kp, I too have noticed the feeling of being hot. I did not associate it with the apple cider vinegar until I read your post. I have been using it for one week. I will get a cholestral test next week and see if there is a difference, might be too soon.

8. Samatha said on January 11, 2008:

Apple cider vinegar is not a cure all by itself. You Have to change your diet to more and more healtier foods and mainly fruits and vegetables which include Vit. A foods like squash. Beans are the best for cooked foods and Fish PLUS Brown Rice. Spices are the Best too. One of the best is sprouts and wheat grass juice! All the Best to you Val. Switch to Organic foods if you haven't done that already - the Worst food is whole wheat flour, white sugar and artificial sweeteners!! Avoid Splenda like the plaque!! Build up to one cooked meal aday and 2 raw meals and go from there. Theres Lots of advice on this Site about what else to eat.
One best thing is a fruit juice fast but Don't do too many days in a row!!

9. Lara said on January 18, 2008:

I had indigestion nearly every time I ate, and I was found myself taking Tums a couple times a day. Apple cider vinegar stopped all my indigestion early in the week I started taking it.

10. Mark said on February 11, 2008:

I have been taking ACV for almost a week now and my blood pressure has dropped from 185/105 to 145/85!! At times it is even as low as 135/80!! It has been YEARS since I had this type of bp. I have really made no other changes in my life...although, this has encouraged me to start eating a bit more healthy...and to exercise more!

I use Heinz...and I mix 2 tablespoons with one tablespoon of honey and gulp it fast!!! I do this three times a day...and once I get in the 130 range, I will probably cut it back to twice a day. It tastes terrible...but it has worked great for me and my bp!!!

11. Tony said on March 30, 2008:

From all the good advice on this site, I think we should try a daily dose of apple cider vinegar with a touch of tumeric and cinnamon added.
I will give it a try starting tomorrow.
Cheers

12. Linda Douthit said on April 1, 2008:

I love Lipton's peach flavored tea. In 1/2 gallon of it, I put 1/4 cup honey and 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar and drink it as my main drink every day. I have a microwave teapot, and I use it to help mix it up, melting the honey. I can't say for sure the reason, but blood pressure, cholesterol, and fluid retention have all improved. I know that the tea has sugar in it, but I do not use artificial sweeteners, and I like sweet tea, sweeter than just the honey makes it. I love the drink, and all the ingredients have possible health helps, so I drink it all the time.

13. Rie said on April 5, 2008:

Linda, Gonna try your recipe. I am retrying ACV - did it two years agofor a week w/ no results but I keep hearing good things and I need to get my BP down!!
Just thinking: Maybe you could switch out honey for Agave nectar in your tea. It's mild, pretty cheap and does better with the glycemic index

14. The Health Word said on April 12, 2008:

Hello,

Apple cider vinegar or ACV is an amazing potent detoxifier that has been shown to boost the immune response, sooth arthritis and joint pain, cure heartburn and help people with Fibromyalgia.

Combine ACV with proper diet and exercise for full benefits.

I often recommend ACV to patients, read more about my thoughts on ACV at http://www.thehealthword.com/topics/apple-cider-vinegar.

Yours in Health,

- Dr M

15. Don said on April 12, 2008:

Have you tried using REAL maple syrup instead of processed sugar to sweaten your tea?

16. Don said on April 12, 2008:

Have you tried using REAL maple syrup instead of processed sugar to sweaten your tea?

17. charlene said on April 28, 2008:

I have been using apple cider vinegar for at least a year now. I usually dilute it in water at the off set of a itchy throat. It stops the itch almost instantly. If taken just as you feel the cold coming, it stops it immediately. I believe in it and I have my whole family taking it. I drop a tea spoon or two in a large glass of water. I do not get colds at all.

18. Kim said on April 28, 2008:

19. Lori said on May 8, 2008:

I had the worst upset stomach flu thing for 3 gruelling days and when I drank 2 tbsp's of ACV, all the gas disolved in my stomach and the next day my diarrhea was gone! It was amazing.

20. Melanie said on May 16, 2008:

I have had high cholesterol for over 10 years. At one point, I was able to lower it by 50 points by eating oatmeal everyday, but that got old and it was still at 232. The last time (Oct05) I had it checked, it was 272. I have been drinking a tablespoon of Braggs ACV with 8oz of water every day on and off for a year. I had my cholesterol checked on Wednesday and it is 186!! LDL is 121! ACV worked for me!

21. Melanie said on May 16, 2008:

22. Sam said on June 5, 2008:

I want to drink the vinegar for the health benefits, but I can't stand the taste of it diluted in water. Is it just as good to take a straight shot of it?

23. Bernadette said on June 5, 2008:

I'm under alot of stress and my blood pressure is higher than normal, exactly how do you take the ACV to lower your pressure?

24. Brenda said on June 6, 2008:

Mix 8 oz of water with 2 tsps of ORGANIC apple cider vinegar. I mix 1 packet of Stevia balance to help with the taste. Two or three times a day should do the trick.

25. Ruth said on June 8, 2008:

Can ACV be used in bath water when soaking.

26. Ruth said on June 8, 2008:

Can ACV be used in bath water when soaking.

27. lisa said on June 11, 2008:

I have had heart troubles all my life and high blood pressure as well. ACV has helped me more then any medcine could I have not felt this good in years at first it caused me to have hot flashs but they went away .I felt a dif.in just one week of useing AVC and i feel great and full of life again.I give all the thanks to my lord jesus.

28. lisa said on June 11, 2008:

29. lisa said on June 11, 2008:

30. D said on June 17, 2008:

I just drank 1/4 of a cup of ACV. My throat BURNS and I was gasping for air. I'm hot all over right now, but I hope there are some positive effects. If not I must say that was something you do not want to experience. I didn't realize you were suppose to drink 2 spoon fulls only.

31. Gayle Gustafson said on June 24, 2008:

Two years ago, I had to take antibiotics for 10 days for an abcessed tooth. The antibiotics just ruined me. I have had what seems like a chronic yeast infection ever since, that just burned all the time. I have been to the doctor 6 times, and they prescribed all kinds of pills, ointments, etc., to no avail.

I started on the Bragg apple cider vinegar just a couple of days ago. I do not like it diluted in water, so I take two tsps of it ....and drink that straight down, followed by a glass of water.

I have also used it in the tub to help with the yeast infection. Put in enough water to soak in and add 1/2 cup of vinegar. Also can douch with it. Only been a couple of days, and I already feel better.

32. Gayle Gustafson said on June 24, 2008:

I started on the Bragg apple cider vinegar just a couple of days ago. I do not like it diluted in water, so I take two tsps of it ....and drink that straight down, followed by a glass of water.

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