Can I take apple cider vinegar for acid reflux? Well, let’s talk about that!
Discloser: I am not a trained health professional. All articles are based on my own experience and opinions. Please consult with a health professional before making lifestyle changes.
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If you’re looking for a natural remedy for acid reflux, apple cider vinegar might be worth giving a shot!
When I decided to ditch my daily antacids, apple cider vinegar was really helpful in my healing process.
However, apple cider vinegar has its pros and cons, so let’s explore if adding it to your daily routine would be beneficial for you.
What Is Apple Cider Vinegar?
Apple cider vinegar is fermented vinegar made from crushed apples.
It has risen in popularity in the last few years on mainstream media for its vast health benefits.
Is Apple Cider Vinegar Good For Acid Reflux?
To understand if apple cider vinegar is good for acid reflux we first need to understand what causes acid reflux. If you want a more in-depth look at the causes of acid reflux be sure to read my full post on it.
Acid reflux occurs when the small valve between your stomach and esophagus doesn’t close properly and allows stomach acid to re-enter your esophagus, causing a burning sensation and other discomforts. The cause of that valve, not closing varies, explore potential causes here.
While no scientific evidence can back up the use of apple cider vinegar for acid reflux, many people have reported it helps in treating and preventing their own acid reflux (including me!).
Apple Cider Vinegar may prevent acid reflux for a few reasons:
- Apple Cider Vinegar contains beneficial bacteria that can aid in your gut health, which may be a contributing factor to your acid reflux.
- Some people claim that having not enough acid in your stomach can signal your body to relax the lower esophagus sphincter valve allowing stomach acids to enter your esophagus. By adding acid with apple cider vinegar you can counteract this effect.
- Apple Cider Vinegar is also anti-inflammatory, which can help your body release inflammation that might be causing your stomach pains and acid reflux.
Can Apple Cider Vinegar Make Acid Reflux Worse?
Some people with chronic acid reflux or GERD may find that apple cider vinegar aggravates their symptoms.
Because apple cider is highly acidic it may not work to balance your stomach acid, especially if you have an abundance of acid in your stomach to start with.
If you have chronic acid reflux or GERD I’d recommend you start with other natural remedies for acid reflux first to start getting it under control before trying apple cider vinegar.
If you only have occasional acid reflux or what to give it a go anyways I do recommend diluting about a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in 8 oz of warm water.
Is It Safe To Use Apple Cider Vinegar For Acid Reflux?
Apple cider vinegar is generally safe in small amounts. I’d recommend limiting it to 1-2 teaspoons a day.
You’ll always want to dilute it with warm water when you drink it to prevent any damage to your tooth enamel or esophagus.
Drinking apple cider vinegar is best for mild to moderate acid reflux, if you have severe chronic acid reflux you may want to start with other remedies for acid reflux first.
Side Effects Of Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar may interact with some medications such as diuretics and insulin. If you take those medications it would be best to consult your doctor or try other natural remedies for acid reflux.
It may also affect your tooth enamel, which is why it is important to take small doses and always dilute it with water if drinking it directly.
How To Take Apple Cider Vinegar For Acid Reflux
There are a few ways you can add apple cider vinegar to your diet to improve your acid reflux.
- Drinking it
- You can mix one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in warm water. The warm water can be more soothing to your throat if you’re currently experiencing acid reflux pain. If you find the taste unpleasant you can add as much honey to it as you want. I recommend using apple cider vinegar with “The Mother” like this one you can find at most grocery stores.
- Pills
- If you find the taste too unpleasant to drink you can buy apple cider in pill form. I suggest avoiding the gummies as I’ve found they usually don’t have a high enough quantity of apple cider vinegar and are instead mostly sugar (which might trigger your acid reflux even more). Instead, look for capsules or tablets that are purely apple cider vinegar. These are the ones I order from Amazon.
- Cook with it
- Another way to add apple cider vinegar to your diet is to cook with it! You can make a homemade apple cider vinaigrette to pour over salads and veggies, marinate chicken with it, or use it to replace regular vinegar.
When Should I Take Apple Cider Vinegar For Acid Reflux?
There are a few recommended times you can take apple cider vinegar for acid reflux.
- Before Or After Meals
- If your acid reflux is directly related to the foods you eat you can try sipping on apple cider vinegar diluted in water before or after your meal. If you only get acid reflux after eating your trigger foods you could try taking slippery elm or other natural remedies.
- First thing in the morning
- If you experience acid reflux regardless of what you eat and on a regular basis you may want to try taking apple cider vinegar first thing in the morning.
- Before bed at night
- If you experience acid reflux during the night or first thing in the morning then try taking apple cider vinegar before you go to bed. Also try to eat 2-3 hours before laying down to help prevent any heartburn.
How Long Does It Take For Apple Cider Vinegar To Help Acid Reflux?
In my experience, apple cider vinegar can help relieve pain within the first hour of taking it, but it often wears off after that. It may be helpful in relieving occasional acid reflux that occurs after eating your trigger foods.
When I was recovering from my chronic acid reflux I found it worked best for me to regularly drink apple cider vinegar diluted in water first thing in the morning.
During the few weeks I was transitioning off my antacids I would mix a teaspoon or two of apple cider vinegar in a bottle of water and sip on it during the day when I would feel the heat rise. I did that in combination with other natural remedies that you can read about to get rid of your acid reflux in 4 weeks.
The moral of the story, apple cider vinegar can be really helpful in healing from acid reflux, but proceed with caution and listen to your body’s natural responses.