Eyes, Ears, Nose & Throat

Apple Cider Vinegar: Miracle Remedy or Scam?

Vinegar, used for its medicinal properties for thousands of years, has undergone a revival. Is apple cider vinegar's "miracle remedy" reputation justified?

By Leonaura Rhodes, MD • February 3, 2020

Some in the media have touted apple cider vinegar as a miracle cure-all. Wishful thinking, sadly. Miracle cure-alls are few and far between. Having said that, there is some research that supports apple cider vinegar’s use in certain conditions. So let’s delve into the science—limited though it may be—of this aromatic fluid.

What Is Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)?

Vinegar can be made from a variety of fermentable carbohydrates including grapes, berries, rice, and, you guessed it, apple. During the fermentation process, yeast turns food sugars into alcohol. If acetic acid bacteria (acetobacter) are present, the alcohol is then converted to acetic acid.

Many commercial vinegars are made by a rapid fermentation method. Slower, more natural methods result in the formation of a slime, composed of yeast and bacteria, that you see in the bottom of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar. Yes, it sounds gross, but it may actually be good for you. (See also “Top 5 Healthy Beverages.“)

Along with acetic acid, vinegar also contains vitamins, mineral salts, amino acids, polyphenolic compounds (which have antioxidant properties), and nonvolatile organic acids. In the United States, vinegar products must contain a minimum of 4 percent acetic acid per 100 ml, as specified by the Food & Drug Administration.

Potential Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) has been touted to help with a wide range of conditions, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes. It also is thought to reduce or treat infection. As with many alternative therapies, however, research on its effectiveness is scanty.

The reasons for scant research? For one thing, there has been little money available to researchers; for another, the studies that have been done are small and lack statistical power.

Yet there are some results worth considering.

Apple Cider Vinegar and Blood Sugar

Dietitian Carol Johnston of Arizona State University’s Department of Nutrition has been studying the effects of vinegar on blood glucose for years. Johnston’s research indicates that vinegar can help reduce blood sugar in healthy people and those with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes (late-onset). “What acetic acid is doing,” she theorizes, “is blocking the absorption of starch.”

If you have diabetes, it’s important to tell your doctor, as apple cider vinegar may interfere with medication.

Data collected by another research team suggests that vinegar ingestion at bedtime may have a favorable impact on “waking glucose concentrations in type 2 diabetes… but much more work is required to determine whether vinegar is a useful adjunct therapy for individuals with diabetes.”

Apple Cider Vinegar as Bacteria-Fighter

A 2017 study aimed to investigate the effect of apple cider vinegar against two common harmful bacteria, E. coli and S. aureus, and the fungal infection C. albicans. They concluded “ACV has multiple antimicrobial potential with clinical therapeutic implications.”

Again, however, more research is needed.

Apple Cider Vinegar as Weight Loss “Supplement”?

A popular use of apple cider vinegar is in weight loss. Some find that ACV reduces their appetite and makes them feel full sooner, perhaps because it delays gastric emptying.

One study looked at 175 obese Japanese adults. Researchers found that “body weight, BMI, visceral fat area (belly fat), waist circumference, and serum triglyceride levels were significantly lower in both vinegar intake groups than in the placebo group.” However, the weight loss was minimal—two to four pounds over 12 weeks.

The study suggests that apple cider vinegar may prove to be a useful adjunct to portion control, a healthy diet, and regular exercise in the weight loss battle.

Apple Cider Vinegar: Impact on Skin and Hair?

Austin dermatologists Adam Mamelak, MD, and Miriam Hanson, MD, support the use of apple cider vinegar as part of your skin and hair care routine.

Dr. Mamelak explains ACV can help “remove bacteria and excess oil from the skin that can contribute to acne formation.” He explains it is also useful for treating toning skin and for dandruff, yeast infections, insect bites, scrapes, abrasions, and warts.

Dr. Mamelak and Dr. Hanson warn a careful approach; ACV is acidic and can irritate some people’s skin and scalp. They also advise that you test your reaction to ACV with a “patch test” on the skin of the inside of your arm. Never use ACV on the delicate skin of your genital area or leave on any skin for a prolonged time, as it can cause chemical burns.

Other Potential Uses of ACV

There’s also evidence—albeit lower-quality evidence—of the benefits of apple cider vinegar with a number of other health conditions:

• Heart disease. Studies in rats show that ACV can reduce blood pressure, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and oxidative stress.
• Cancer. Another study showed that the growth of human cancer cells in the laboratory could be inhibited by vinegar, but there is a lack of evidence in humans bodies.
• Cough and sore throat. See sidebar below.

Safety of Apple Cider Vinegar

ACV is pretty safe, if taken in small doses and diluted. According to one report, there are rare reports of adverse reactions. ACV is acidic by nature and so can cause acidic injuries and inflammation of the back of the throat, esophagus, stomach, and skin. It also can erode the enamel of the teeth, so if you drink it, rinse your mouth thoroughly with water and wait 10 minutes before brushing teeth. ACV should not be used for teeth whitening as it may cause serious damage to the teeth.

Final Verdict on Apple Cider Vinegar

Most of the claims about apple cider vinegar’s health benefits are not supported by compelling research. Even so, ACV may be considered as a complementary therapy to traditional medicine in weight loss, minor sore throats, and coughs, and in pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes (only with your doctor’s consent).

If taken in small amounts, in a diluted form, as a drink or in salad dressing, ACV is pretty safe. Just remember to rinse your mouth to prevent damage to tooth enamel.