Traditional folk medicine has long included apple cider vinegar as a general health remedy -- suitable for all kinds of conditions from sore throats and infections, to hair loss and dandruff. One common use for apple cider vinegar is to ease constipation. The vinegar is typically taken in very small daily doses of no more than a shot glass. Bear in mind, however, that apple cider vinegar isn't a medically accepted cure for constipation.
Liquid Doses
For most people, apple cider vinegar tastes too strong to drink neat in large doses. Instead, try spoonfuls and small glasses of vinegar. For example, a shot glass of apple cider vinegar per day may help ease any constipation in your gut. You may find this too sharp to drink. If so, try mixing the shot of apple cider vinegar with 8 oz. of fresh water. Adding a tablespoon of honey takes away the bitter taste even more.
Supplements
As well as the traditional liquid form of apple cider vinegar, some alternative health stores offer supplements in the form of pills. The pills supposedly offer the benefits of apple cider vinegar without the sharp, acid taste. That includes possibly helping with constipation. Depending on the brand, adults should take two pills one to three times each day along with food, according to information from the National Library of Medicine's Dietary Supplements Label Database. As with the liquid form, however, the benefits and dosage aren't confirmed by medical studies.
Constipation Recipe
In the book "Dr. Earl Mindell's Amazing Apple Cider Vinegar," author Earl Mindell describes a special recipe for constipation using apple cider vinegar along with other ingredients. The recipe includes 2 tbsp. of flaxseeds added to 2 cups of boiling distilled water. Drain the seeds after boiling for 10 minutes. The water will turn a jelly-like consistency due to the released fiber from the seeds. Fill a cup with the mixture and add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. This offers the alleged benefits of apple cider vinegar with the constipation-relieving effects of flaxseed.
Considerations
Drinking lots of cider vinegar may have some negative effects. The vinegar is very acidic. This can irritate your throat or give you a sore stomach. Also, if you experience persistent constipation then apple cider vinegar may not be the most effective solution. Increasing the amount of fiber in your diet from vegetables and fruit should improve bowel movements. Other commercially available products including fiber-rich drink sachets may also offer a more effective alternative.
References
- Health Services at Columbia; Apple Cider Vinegar; August 20, 2010
- United States National Library of Medicine; American Health Apple Cider Vinegar Tablets; July 3, 2008
- "Dr. Earl Mindell's Amazing Apple Cider Vinegar By Earl Mindell"; Earl Mindell; 2002
- Utah State University Student Folklore Genre Collection; Folk Collection 8a Group 2: Belief; Tricia Harrison, et al.; May 2009
- MayoClinic.com; Drinking Apple Cider Vinegar for Weight Loss Seems Far-fetched. Does it Work?; Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.; April 22, 2010
- Wittenberg Green Guide; Apple Cider Vinegar
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