Vinegar, especially the apple cider and red wine varieties, has been elevated to the level of a miracle liquid by proponents claiming various health benefits. Vinegar is credited with lowering blood sugar, burning fat, detoxifying the blood, fighting infection, preventing heart disease and cancer, aiding digestive difficulties, and curing arthritis, to name a few. Further study is needed to verify many of these purported benefits, and dangerous side effects are possible, although uncommon. Consult your health care provider before using vinegar as a remedy.
Throat Irritation
Vinegar is highly acidic and has the potential to irritate the throat, especially if taken frequently or in copious amounts. A woman who took a tablespoon of undiluted vinegar to dislodge a piece of crab shell caught in her throat suffered burns to her esophagus, and accidental inhalation of vinegar is associated with spasm of the larynx, according to Carol S. Johnston, Ph.D., R.D., and Cindy A. Gaas, of the Department of Nutrition of Arizona State University in Mesa. Some apple cider vinegar in tablet form can contain enough acetic acid to be classified as a corrosive agent and a poison, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Interaction With Medications
Vinegar has the potential to interact with medication and cause a negative reaction. Don't take vinegar with insulin or diuretics, because the combination could lower the level of potassium in the blood to dangerous levels.
Low Potassium
Vinegar doesn't need to be taken along with insulin or diuretics to lower potassium. A woman who drank 8 oz. of apple cider vinegar daily for several years developed dangerously low potassium, according to Johnston and Gaas. It is suspected the vinegar lowered her potassium level by increasing the rate of potassium excretion from the body.
Contamination With Microorganisms
Even though vinegar is believed by some to have germ-killing properties, vinegar itself can become contaminated with fungus and yeast. Some brands that claimed to be yeast free were found contaminated with yeast when kept at room temperature, according to a report in the August 2005 issue of "Nutrition Research Letter."
References
- MayoClinic.com; Drinking Apple Cider Vinegar for Weight Loss Seems Far-Fetched. Does It Work?; Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.; April 2010
- "Medscape Journal of Medicine"; Vinegar: Medicinal Uses and Antiglycemic Effect; Carol S. Johnston, Ph.D., R.D. and Cindy A. Gaas; May 2006
- The Healing Powers of Vinegar; Cal Orey; 2009
- "Nutrition Research Newsletter"; Esophageal Injury by Apple Cider Vinegar Tablets and Subsequent Evaluation of Products; L.L. Hill, et al.; August 2005
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