Tuesday, March 26, 2024

Is Apple Cider Vinegar Good For Indigestion And Heartburn

Must read

Some Facts About Apple Cider Vinegar

30 Days of Apple Cider Vinegar vs 15 years of GERD/Reflux

Vinegar is obtained by fermentation of dilute alcohols such as beer, wine and cider. It contains acetic acid and tastes sour. It is one of the most commonly used acidic condiments across many civilizations since ancient times. Apple cider vinegar is obtained by adding bacteria and yeast to crushed apple juice. In the first step, the yeast converts sugars to alcohol. In second step, bacteria convert alcohol into acetic acid explained Dr. Peddi.

Apple Cider Vinegar For Heartburn What

  • Pin

Apple cider vinegar has been a popular addition to kitchen pantries for generations. Its been used in both cooking and medicine for hundreds of years.

Recently, apple cider vinegar or ACV has been in health news and has been touted as a versatile and effective remedy for anything from insect bites to heartburn.

Yes, you read that right! It might seem strange that something that is basically an acid could help heartburn and indigestion. Read on to find out if apple cider vinegar for heartburn can really help if youre experiencing heartburn, acid reflux, or GERD.

How Does Apple Cider Vinegar Work For Acid Reflux

  • Apple cider vinegar prevents the stomach acid from moving up into the esophagus. It calms your irritated stomach by restoring the stomachs pH balance.
  • The acidic nature of apple cider vinegar will provide the essential acidity to the esophagus and thus help to break down the food properly and digest it easily.
  • It is enriched with many essential nutrients like calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, etc. which aids in proper mineral absorption and thereby proper digestion of food and weight loss.
  • The acetic acid in the vinegar helps to fight against the harmful bacteria or other foreign bodies for proper digestion and to enhance the guts health.
  • It provides the body with various vitamins and traces of minerals that help to build an alkaline environment in the body. This, in turn, reduces acidity in your stomach, kills harmful bacteria in foods and aids in proper digestion.

Recommended Reading: What Does Heartburn Feel Like In Chest

Does It Hurt Or Help

ACV is often touted as a cure-all capable of treating everything from acne to cancer. Unfortunately, many of these claims are exaggerated or even completely false.

Theres no scientific evidence to suggest that ACV is an effective treatment for bloating or gas. In fact, the only clinical study ever completed on ACV and digestive problems found that ACV can actually impair gastric emptying.

The small study, conducted in 10 patients with type 1 diabetes and diabetic gastroparesis, found that ACV slowed down, rather than sped up, gastric emptying.

When gastric emptying slows, it takes the muscles in the stomach and intestines longer to push stool out of the body. The longer it remains in the intestines, the more gas it produces. Therefore, ACV could potentially make your symptoms of gas and bloating worse.

However, people who dont have gastroparesis may find that ACV aids in digestion, as many have claimed.

If you have low stomach acid, for example, you may experience bloating due to bacteria buildup in your stomach. This can happen when food isnt broken down. Because ACV may help increase stomach acid and may also be antimicrobial in nature, it could theoretically help.

There are many ways to incorporate ACV into a healthy diet. Some people drink ACV straight, but others prefers to mix it with water or other liquids.

To reap the many benefits of ACV, consider taking about 1 tablespoon once or twice per day.

Here are some other ways to add ACV to your day:

In one case,

Other Risks To Consider

Apple Cider Vinegar for Heartburn: Instant Relief

For most people, consuming small amounts of apple cider vinegar is safe, but there are some people who should be careful. Those with kidney disease may have a hard time processing the extra acid.

Some ACV options are considered unpasteurized because they havent been heated to 140 degrees Fahrenheit to kill any remaining bacteria and yeast. People who are pregnant or have weakened immune systems should always steer clear of unpasteurized foods and beverages, since there is a chance they could contain harmful bacteria like listeria. Check the labels on the bottle if youre unsure.

If youre taking diuretics, you may want to speak with your doctor before incorporating ACV in your diet. The purpose of water pills, or diuretics, is to help your body clean out fluids, but when you eliminate fluids, you also eliminate some electrolytes that you have in your body like potassium that are important for your body says Zylberglait. Apple cider vinegar may reduce the level of potassium in your body, so if youre using both, you may have low potassium levels, which can negatively affect how your heart and muscles function.

Be mindful if youre taking certain heart medications as well, specifically those for arrhythmia. Again, because of the fluctuating potassium levels, you may increase your risk of arrhythmia, and this could have serious consequences as cardiac infarcts, strokes or death, notes Zylberglait.

Recommended Reading: When Do You Get Heartburn During Pregnancy

What Are Acv Pills

Unless you live on a deserted island, youve probably heard about apple cider vinegar and its benefits. Proponents say that it burns fat, prevents diabetes, suppresses appetite, cures cancer and so on. The truth is that few of these claims are backed by actual evidence. Most studies have been conducted on animals or involved short-term trials, points out Harvard Health Publishing.

Current research confirms that apple cider vinegar may moderately lower blood sugar levels, reports the University of Chicago Medicine. However, its not a cure for diabetes and cannot replace your medications. Its role in weight loss is questionable. Some studies suggest that it may cause a modest reduction in body weight, while others show no effect.

Apple cider vinegar pills are a concentrated form of ACV. They make this acidic beverage easier to consume and may facilitate weight loss, according to manufacturers. Some contain pure ACV, while others use it in combination with green tea extract, garcinia cambogia, cayenne pepper and other so-called fat-burning ingredients.

Should You Take Apple Cider Vinegar For Gut Health

Before I answer that, I need to briefly explain how apple cider vinegar is made.

It starts by taking crushed apple juice and fermenting it with yeast to produce alcohol. After this, bacteria is added to the apple alcohol solution which is further fermented by the bacteria. The conversion of alcohol to acetic acid is how vinegar is produced .

Because the cider is not ultra-filtered, other components of the apple will be present such as protein, enzymes, and the bacteria themselves that made the vinegar in the first place. For this reason, unpasteurized, non-filtered apple cider vinegar will be murky AND contain some probiotic bacteria.

Don’t Miss: Can A Uti Make You Bloated

How About Too Little Stomach Acid

What about too little stomach acid? Is that a thing?

It is, but not in the way you may be thinking.

First, having low stomach acid is technically called hypochlorhydria or achlorhydria, and like hypergastrinemia, it is rare, though not exceedingly rare.

According to Dr. Rai Kohli of the Kansas City VA Medical Center, only 1 to 4.7% of healthy people have hypochlorhydria and achlorhydria. Many other studies also back these numbers up, though I will mention its probably tough to suss out the people who are taking acid-suppressing drugs.

Speaking of acid-suppressing drugs, did you know PPIs cause bothhypergastrinemia AND hypochlorhydria? What a deal! Two for the price of one!

Not really. But lets take a brief detour now and talk about how PPIs can actually give youhypergastrinemia AND hypochlorhydria.

Finding A Better Solution

The Real Reason You’re Getting Acid Reflux or Indigestion (Apple Cider Vinegar Benefit) Dr. Mandell

As you struggle to control acid reflux in Albany or Macon, you may come across many home remedies that seductively claim to be quick fixes for reflux, but its important to take them with a grain of salt. As you become more aware of what triggers your symptoms, youll realize that many of these claims are not logical solutions. Some will tell you that lemon juice offers effective reflux relief, but lemons have the highest concentration of citric acid in all citrus fruits.Its important to note that not everyone responds to the same foods in the same ways. Many people swear that remedies like apple cider vinegar work for them, and though the science may be faulty, some speculate that a placebo effect could be the reason. If you feel that apple cider vinegar does work for you, it may be a topic worth discussing with Dr. Bagnato.The lesson here is to simply stay aware and skeptical of anything that offers a quick remedy for reflux. Drinking water, reducing stress and eating a low-fat, low-acid diet are far more effective strategies and will not put you at risk of making your symptoms worse.Have you come across any other questionable remedies for acid reflux in Albany or Macon? Tell us about them in the comments below!

You May Like: What Can You Do For Heartburn And Indigestion

Apple Cider Vinegar For Heartburn:

A. We have heard from many other readers who report that drinking some apple cider vinegar in juice or water helps heartburn symptoms. It may not cure your heartburn once and for all, however. Moreover, some people find that it doesnt help at all.

One reader wrote:

Adding more acid makes matters far worse for me, whether its mustard, apple cider vinegar or something else. Normally, when I get indigestion, it is due to eating something that was acidic to begin with, and antacids bring me quick relief.

Apple Cider Vinegar: Surprising Ways To Use Health Product

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

Heartburn, also known as acid reflux, occurs when acid from the stomach flows upward. This causes a sour taste in the mouth and a burning sensation in the chest. Heartburn is caused by several factors, including what you eat, how you eat, and it can be caused by issues with your stomach.

Also Check: Can A Leaky Gut Cause Weight Gain

Symptoms Of Acid Reflux

The main symptom of both acid reflux and gastroesophageal reflux disease is heartburn, which is an uncomfortable burning feeling in your chest that can move up into your throat and down into your upper abdomen.

Other symptoms of acid reflux include:

  • Regurgitation, or the feeling of fluid or food coming up into the chest
  • Chest pain or burning, especially felt when lying down or bending over
  • Unpleasant taste in the mouth
  • Sore throat
  • Pain or discomfort that appears after a large or spicy meal

Additional symptoms that are often a sign of chronic acid reflux, or GERD, are:

  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Pain that can move into your throat, but doesnt usually radiate to your shoulders, neck and arms
  • Pregnancy
  • Hiatal hernia

Though everyone can get acid reflux from time to time, GERD is a chronic condition that can lead to more serious problems if not treated.

Lower Absorption Of Potassium

Easy Home Remedies For Heartburn

Potassium is a pretty important mineral: this electrolyte helps keep your heartbeat regular, your nerves functioning properly, and your muscles contracting as they should. It can also counteract the negative impact of sodium on your blood pressure, and have a positive effect on bone mineral density by neutralizing acid and reducing calcium loss from bone.

However, Tamayo says that ACV may negatively impact how well your body absorbs certain mineralsespecially potassium.

In an older case study, a young woman was admitted to the hospital with low potassium levels, and diagnosed with osteoporosiswhich was attributed to her excessive ACV consumption. The subject had been consuming eight ounces of apple cider vinegar daily for six years, and doctors believed that drinking it in these large doses caused important minerals to be leached from her bones.

You May Like: What Foods Make Your Stomach Bloat

How To Use Apple Cider Vinegar To Improve Digestion

Inside Out Skin HealthReal Food Recipes

Apple cider vinegar is a powerful natural remedy for heartburn and indigestion. Lets take a closer look at why this simple remedy works, and how you can use apple cider vinegar to naturally get rid of heartburn, reduce belly bloat and gas, and generally improve digestion.

Apple Cider Vinegar And Baking Soda

If you add baking soda to ACV, it helps neutralize the acid to only 7.0. If not, the acidity will lead to dental sensitivity and finally enamel erosion. When mixing ACV, baking soda and water, you can gain an effective home treatment for acid reflux.

  • Mix 2 tbsp of ACV, ¼ tsp of baking soda and 250mg of water
  • Stir them well and consume it twice to thrice per day on your empty stomach for about 5 days or more
  • In severe cases, you can mix 2 tbsp of ACV and 2 tbsp of baking soda in a glass of water. Drink twice or thrice per day
  • Repeat for a better result

Warnings And Precautions

When using apple cider vinegar for heartburn, some people might experience side effects which are:

  • Tooth erosion
  • Blood thinning
  • Reduced potassium

You had better consume a small amount of ACV and it should be diluted with fresh water. The solution should relieve burning sensation associated by the acid within the ACV.

To avoid the damage towards enamel on your teeth, you should use a straw to drink the solution. Consult a doctor if your heartburn symptoms do not improve or worsen overtime of using.

Risks

  • ACV might interact with some types of medications, such as laxatives, diuretics, heart disease medications
  • You should not use ACV in case you have an ulcer as it may aggravate your symptoms
  • Consuming ACV, even when diluted in water, could also wear down the teeth enamel.
  • TAGS

Read Also: Why Is Heartburn Called Heartburn

What Is Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is apple juice that has been fermented twice.

During the first fermentation process, the juice is mixed with yeast, sugar, or another carbohydrate, and then left for a time to allow natural bacteria and yeast to transform the carbohydrates into alcohol.

During the second fermentation process, the alcohol is converted into acetic acid.

Apple cider vinegar has been used as a tonic for centuries, and has recently gained popularity as a natural remedy for acid reflux, weight loss, and more.

Because of its high acetic acid content, many people use apple cider vinegar to aid digestion and help break down food. However, the studies researching the health benefits of vinegar contain either small samples, or were conducted only on rats.

Unfortunately, there is little to no evidence that it is a safe and effective treatment for acid reflux.

Liquid Apple Cider Vinegar Health Concerns

Apple Cider Vinegar vs Acid Reflux – 6 Months Later plus FAQ

Almost all health concerns about apple cider vinegar center on the liquid form. One is that the vinegar may damage tooth enamel. Although studies on this are not definitive, dentists report seeing weakened enamel in patients who regularly drink undiluted apple cider vinegar.

That weak enamel can cause tooth sensitivity, decay, and cavities. Drinking large amounts of apple cider vinegar can also cause swelling and burns in the mouth, according to some dentists. There are also reports of throat burns from both liquid apple cider vinegar and a pill that became lodged in one woman’s throat.

Also Check: Can Your Period Cause Constipation

What To Know Before Consuming Apple Cider Vinegar For Weight Loss

Being acetic acid, apple cider vinegar can lead to caustic injury to the esophageal mucous lining if the concentration exceeds 20%. As the consumer market in this segment is poorly regulated, taking vinegar for the control of reflux symptoms can be counterproductive and prove to be dangerous.

Apple cider vinegar has no scientific basis to help reflux symptoms and is also not supported in any clinical research. On the other hand, it can be harmful if consumed in excess. Lifestyle modifications and minimum doses of antacids or PPIs is a better way to keep a check on acid-related reflux symptoms or heartburn.

References:

Can Acv Help Prevent Heartburn

For a little refresher, heartburn occurs when acid from the stomach makes its way back into the esophagus. “Normally when you swallow, a band of muscle around the bottom of your esophagus called your sphincter temporarily opens to allow flow into your stomach,” naturopathic doctor Jaime Schehr, N.D., R.D., says. “If the sphincter loosens or weakens, the stomach acid can flow back up into your esophagus causing a burning feeling.” In some cases, it can occur when people don’t have enough acid in the stomach.

As for apple cider vinegar as a remedy, “The use of ACV to prevent heartburn depends on what the source of the heartburn is,” functional medicine doctor Elroy Vojdani, M.D., IFMCP, says.

For example, if someone is overproducing gastric acid and has a weak esophageal sphincter, it’s likely that the acid will make its way into the throat. “So, if you introduce more acid into that environment, as comes from ACV, the heartburn is going to get worse,” Vojdani says.

However, for the people who don’t produce enough stomach acid, “Food will get into the stomach but won’t be fully broken down,” doctor of clinical nutrition Brooke Scheller, DCN, M.S., CNS, writes for mbg. “This causes fermentation and gas production that feels like too much acid but is actually due tonot having enough.”

Recommended Reading: How Many Genes In The Human Microbiome

Is Apple Cider Vinegar Effective For Reducing Heartburn Symptoms Related To Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Drinking vinegar is a popularly discussed remedy for relieving heartburn symptom, as can be read on many websites however, there has been no scientific research or theory to support its efficacy.

  • Partial requirement for: M.S., Arizona State University, 2016Note type
  • Includes bibliographical references Note type

The ASU Library acknowledges the twenty-two Native Nations that have inhabited this land for centuries. Arizona State University’s four campuses are located in the Salt River Valley on ancestral territories of Indigenous peoples, including the Akimel Oodham and Pee Posh Indian Communities, whose care and keeping of these lands allows us to be here today. ASU Library acknowledges the sovereignty of these nations and seeks to foster an environment of success and possibility for Native American students and patrons. We are advocates for the incorporation of Indigenous knowledge systems and research methodologies within contemporary library practice. ASU Library welcomes members of the Akimel Oodham and Pee Posh, and all Native nations to the Library.

More articles

Popular Articles