Apple cider vinegar is one of my top two natural remedies that I use every day along with coconut oil. I recommend it to my patients and take it personally for several reasons including detoxification, improved digestion and for a quick burst of energy.
Also, I include apple cider vinegar uses for personal care reasons like conditioning my hair, whitening my teeth and as a household cleaner.
Apple Cider Vinegar Benefits
New medical research also suggests that apple cider vinegar use can help cure acid reflux, lower blood pressure, improve diabetes, and support weight loss.
The benefits of apple cider vinegar come from it’s powerful healing compounds which include acetic acid, potassium, magnesium, probiotics and enzymes.
Acetic acid has the ability to kill dangerous “bad” bacteria, and at the same time to foster the growth of beneficial “good” bacteria. Because acetic acid kills unwanted bacteria when it comes into contact with it, it essentially acts as a natural antibiotic. This means apple cider vinegar naturally provides numerous benefits related to skin, digestion, and immunity health without any side effects.
Additionally, apple cider vinegar is a good source of polyphenols. Research supports the role of polyphenols in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, cancers, neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, osteoporosis, and diabetes
Make sure when buying apple cider vinegar you buy it raw and with the “mother” which means it still contains the beneficial compounds including probiotics.
Top 20 Apple Cider Vinegar Uses
Here are the top 20 reasons you should be using apple cider vinegar everyday!
1. Detox Your Body
Apple cider vinegar is a liver and lymphatic tonic which can help detox your body. It helps balance your body’s pH and stimulates cardiovascular stimulation, bowel motility and lymphatic drainage. For this reason it’s one of my key ingredients in the Dr. Axe Secret Detox Drink.
2. Natural Conditioner to Make Hair Shine
ACV can be used as a natural hair conditioner and makes your hair shine! Take an old shampoo bottle, then fill it will 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and 1 cup of water. Pour this on your hair after shampooing three times per week for best results.
3. Natural Teeth Whitener
One of my apple cider vinegar uses is as a natural teeth whitener. Take your finger and rub apple cider vinegar on your teeth for 1 minute. Then rinse mouth out with water. The pH of apple cider vinegar can remove stains from your teeth which helps naturally whiten.
4. Can Treat Acid Reflux and Heartburn
Some of the main causes of acid reflux and heartburn are an imbalanced stomach pH and lack of enzymes and probiotics. Using apple cider vinegar is full of all of these nutrients. Adding 1 tbsp of apple cider vinegar to a cup of water and drinking it five minutes before meals can cure acid reflux.
5. Can Kill Candida (Yeast) and Boost Probiotics
Millions of people around the world struggle with candida and yeast. The side effects can be bad breath, lack of energy, UTI’s and digestive issues. ACV contains probiotics and a type of acid that promotes the growth of probiotics which help kill off candida. Remove sugar from your diet and consume 1 tbsp of apple cider vinegar 3x daily as part of a candida cleanse.
6. Regulates Your Bodies pH
Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid which is acidic in nature but has a more alkaline effect on the rest of your body. Balancing your bodies pH can reduce your risk of chronic illnesses like cancer and can dramatically increase your energy.
7. Can Support Weight Loss and Metabolism
A study published in the Journal of Diabetes Care found that consuming apple cider vinegar could promote weight loss. There are several reasons ACV promotes fat loss but one of those reasons include that ACV reduces sugar cravings and improves detoxification. Another study found that supplementing with the acetic acid found in apple cider vinegar reduced body fat in mice by 10%.
8. An All-Natural Household Cleaner
The anti-bacterial properties and the balanced pH of apple cider vinegar make it a perfect household cleaning product. Fill a spray bottle with 50% water and 50% ACV then spray windows and counters for cleaning.
9. Soothe a Sunburn
One of my favorite apple cider vinegar uses is to soothe a sunburn. Put 1 cup of apple cider vinegar in a lukewarm bath along with 1/4 cup of coconut oil and lavender essential oil to ease sunburnt skin.
10. Balances Blood Sugar and Improves Diabetes
Medical research has proven that the acetic acid found in apple cider vinegar can balance blood sugar and improve diabetes. Put apple cider vinegar on salads or consume 1 tablespoon in water before meals.
11. Heal Poison Ivy
The minerals in apple cider vinegar like potassium can help reduce swelling and inflammation, improving poison ivy. Also, ACV can help detox the poison out of your skin helping poison ivy heal more quickly.
12. Repel Fleas on your Pets
Mix a 50/50 solution of apple cider vinegar together and soak your pet in a tub. Do this 1x a day for several weeks to rid your pet of a flea infestation.
13. Lower Blood Pressure
In a 2009 12-week study they found that consuming apple cider vinegar lowered triglycerides and blood pressure significantly.
14. Fight Seasonal Allergies
Another amazing treatment of ACV is for allergies. ACV helps break up mucous in your body and support lymphatic drainage. It also supports the immune system and can clear your sinuses. Put 2 tablespoons in a large glass of water and drink 3x daily for allergies.
15. Kill Fungus on Toes and Skin
The anti-bacterial and anti-fungal compounds in apple cider vinegar make it a great natural cure for skin and toenail fungus. Simply rub on the area of fungus 2x daily. Also, using a mixture of coconut oil and oil of oregano is great for killing fungus.
16. Skin Toner for Eczema and Acne
The pH of apple cider vinegar makes it an excellent remedy for skin issues. Rub apple cider vinegar on an area or use it to wash an area then put coconut oil and essential oils on area to support further healing.
17. Ease Varicose Veins
Apple cider vinegar is excellent for varicose veins because it improves circulation in the vein walls and is anti-inflammatory so reduces bulging veins. Combine apple cider vinegar with witch hazel and rub on veins in circular motion and you should see improvements in two weeks.
18. Natural Deodorant
Bad bacteria and yeast are a major cause of body odor. The armpit can stay damp which also makes it a breading ground for bad bacteria. Simply dabbing some apple cider vinegar on your fingers and running it into your armpit can kill yeast and neutralize odors keeping you smelling fresh all day.
19. Cure a Cold and Sore Throat
Apple cider vinegar is the ultimate remedy to cure a cold and sore throat fast! Because it’s loaded with vitamins and probiotic boosting acetic acid it’s a great natural cure. Take 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in one glass of water 3x daily to cure a cold.
20. ACV Cures Warts
Put apple cider vinegar topically on wart and then cover in band aide or bandage. Leave on overnight and remove in the morning. You may see results in one week or it could take longer. Thousands have sworn that apple cider vinegar cured warts and other skin issues.
This is only a few of the many apple cider vinegar uses and natural remedies.
Surprising Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar
ACV has been consumed for around 5,000 years!
Historical records show that apple juice has been fermented into vinegar since before 5000 BC. Through the ages, apple cider vinegar has been used to stimulate circulation, aid in the detoxification of the liver, to purify blood, cleanse lymph nodes, and improve immune system response. In fact, Hippocrates often prescribed it for coughs and colds, when mixed with a touch of honey.
ACV is made in a similar way as other fermented drinks Kombucha, Kefir and Wine.
Like all fermented products, apple cider vinegar is made using active yeast that is combined with sugar. In this case, it is naturally occurring sugar from crushed apples. The yeast actually consumes sugar and uses this to grow healthy bacteria, which is how fermentation takes place. The best apple cider vinegar for therapeutic and health wellness should be made from certified organic apples. Pasteurization is not required, and is not recommended for people using it for health benefits, as this kills all of the delicate nutrients and enzymes. The acidity of the vinegar is enough to prevent unhealthy bacteria (including E. Coli) from developing. After the fermentation process is completed, the result is the formation of acetic acid, the main beneficial compound found in apple cider vinegar.
ACV can appear murky and have “cobweb-like” strings, but this is a good thing.
This murky brown appearance of ACV, as well as the strands of yeast that may be present, actually clue you in to the fact that the cider is of good-quality. These strands are bits of live yeast, and they are actually alive. These contain the bacteria that once entered into the body, provide various healing benefits.
ACV is extremely low in calories and sugar.
although it’s made using sugar, the sugar is consumed during fermentation, so you barely ingest any of it in the finished product. ACV has about 3-5 calories per tablespoon, and a little usually goes a long way. So you wind up with a very beneficial drink for virtually no calories or sugar. In fact, one of the biggest benefits of consuming ACV is that it has a positive effect on blood sugar levels, helping to keep them stable and to reduce risk for diabetes or hypoglycemia.
ACV was first used as an a natural disinfectant (and still is today).
Vinegar is known to have anti-fungal abilities and to kill harmful bacteria and pathogens, so traditionally people used it to clean their homes, bodies, and to fight off fungus from forming. Today, many people still use ACV- and other types of vinegar too- for a wide range of cleansing uses.
Where to Buy Apple Cider Vinegar
It is important to note that not all apple cider vinegar is created equally! To get the most out of using ACV, make sure you buy it raw and with the “mother” intact, which means it still contains the beneficial compounds including probiotics. It is imperative that you select organic, unfiltered, and unpasteurized apple cider vinegar to reap its many health and beauty benefits.
Rule number 1? Look for cloudy vinegar; this is the sign that the friendly enzymes and bacteria that promote healing have not been removed. The cloudy strands is what is referred to as the “mother” probiotics. One of the best brands of that I have recommended for years is Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar.
my husband is a diabetic and has diabetic ulcers on his left ankel and the other side on the same foot , how do I clean them with Apple cider vinegar,,he has had them for 5 months and can’t get rid of them
Check this out: https://draxe.com/diabetes-natural-cures/
Hi
Dr. I want to fair my skin tone so how could I apply ACV on my whole body and in how many days it gives me the best results that I really wants
Thankx alot
Hi
If I already have low blood pressure, is it safe to take ACV?
Thanks
Emma
I have had many patients with low blood pressure take ACV and have no problems because it is a real food! But first, I would consult with your physician.
Today, I want to learn a whole lot about ACV, therefore I am here. It’s about health benefits of ACV.
Will read more on ACV today.
Thanks :)
Hi Dr Axe!
I respect your work very much and take all of your advice seriously. I have a question about vinegar and yeast and I would love to hear your opinion.
I have several autoimmune conditions including systemic lupus and lymphocytic colitis. I have been working with a rheumatologist, but also exploring natural treatments and dietary changes, which have helped a lot. After eliminating gluten and most sugar from my diet, I have lost 115 pounds this year. I have further to go on my journey, but my health is already much improved.
Here’s my question: I recently read a book that was recommended to me called “An Extraordinary Power to Heal,” by Dr. Bruce Semon. The book focuses on candida overgrowth as a cause of auto-immune disorders, autism, skin problems, fatigue, and a whole host of other problems. Many of the symptoms he discusses I recognize in myself. He recommends a specialized diet and a prescription drug called Nystatin as the remedy/solution. He says he cannot recommend natural treatments containing essential oils and caprylic acid because he doesn’t know much about them, and considers Nystatin much more powerful and effective. (I very much want to avoid additional pharmaceuticals, I take too many already.)The first two things he says must be eliminated from the diet are vinegar and malt.
This doesn’t sit right with me because I have always considered (and have been told by other professionals) that fermented foods like apple cider vinegar and kombucha to be healthy and detoxifying. It’s hard to believe they could be contributing to my health problems.
Do you have any thoughts or opinions about this? I’m not quite sure what to think…
Thank you very much!
do you continue using probiotic and ACV ?
Yes
Hello, favorite doctor! i have varicose veins in my oesophagus due to a liver disease. Will drinking ACV help ? Thank you.
been using acv for 5 years now I began it to lose weight well the weight is off and has been steady in keeping it off I having change my eating habits but drinks this in the morning, recently I went on a cruise and I forgot my ACV well I came down with a cold which I still have as I post this, haven’t had a cold in 5 years now I must drink more than what I usally drink scare of all the weight I gain but I did drink a lot of water and lemon so I hope that help.
Thank you for this adjunct to conventional western medicine. Must give you some details before asking question: I am treating for SIBO approximately eighteen years post sub-colectomy with Flagyl [taking second course], prebiotics such as unripe bananas and gf oatmeal, and specific probiotics P. reuteri and S. boulardii L-Glutamine, peppermint-oregano oils – not all at once. After an exploratory surgery for cancer in 1995, during which no cancer was detected, sponge left in abdomen along with bleeder in vaginal cuff, followed by MRSA and peritonitis. Survived both after surgery in which colon was replaced in abdomen incorrectly, and became neurogenic, removed in 1997. Have tried alternative treatments as listed above, and find they accelerate transit time whether taken on empty stomach or not. Any suggestions apropos alternative protocols, such as ACV, turmeric and water, other? Have found most internists and gastroenterologists I’ve consulted have no experience treating someone trying to live an active life at 63 without fecal leaking and chronic, severe diarrhea. Not looking for a miracle necessarily [I’m fibbing!], but for hot tips. Have anastomosis; external ostomy and C. difficile have been ruled out. Considering frozen fecal caps transplant. Merci, Dr. Axe.
I think a fecal transplant could be a good option for you. I would also make sure you’re drinking 8-16oz of bone broth daily
Can a 75 year old woman with liver cirrhosis take apple cider vinegar?
I have had many patients your age do great with it but would consult with your physician