Is Organic Apple Cider Vinegar Good For Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

Organic apple cider vinegar is connected to home remedies of every sort from treating acne to calming heartburn. It is also thought to work for treating irritable bowel syndrome. While there is no research to verify this connection, vinegar may be able to calm some of the symptoms of IBS.

About Irritable Bowel Syndrome

It is unclear as to what specifically causes irritable bowel syndrome or IBS, but it is thought to be a problem with the muscles of the digestive tract, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. In fact, these irregular contractions can produce a whole host of symptoms including stomach pain, bloating, gas, diarrhea and constipation, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.

Organic Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar you can buy at the supermarket is made by fermenting the juice from crushed apples beyond the point of alcohol. This creates acetic acid. Organic apple cider vinegar is made in this same way but the end product isn't filtered or pasteurized, leaving behind a cloudy, fibrous material called the "mother" that elevates the nutrient content, according to The Vinegar Institute.

Vinegar and Digestion

Organic apple cider vinegar serves as an irritable bowel syndrome treatment because of its ability to ease digestive complaints. According to Earl Mindell, M.D., and author of "Dr. Earl Mindell's Amazing Apple Cider Vinegar," organic vinegar includes fiber in the form of pectin and potassium, both of which are essential digestive components. To reduce gas caused by IBS, the University of Maryland Medical Center suggests taking fiber supplements, which could easily be linked to the pectin, or the fruit fiber, found in organic apple cider vinegar.

Side Effects

Even though organic apple cider vinegar may provide relief for IBS symptoms, it carries unpleasant side effects that could be damaging to your health. According to "eMedTV," drinking vinegar may burn the throat or esophagus, cause heartburn or ulcers, and may cause an allergic reaction.