Vinegar, especially apple cider vinegar, is used as a home remedy for many health problems, including digestive upset. This is especially the case if low stomach acid is believed to be at the heart of the problem. Even so, talk to a doctor before you set about drinking vinegar as a home remedy for any health issue.
About Stomach Acid
Hydrochloric acid is what makes up the contents of your stomach. It's responsible for digesting food and breaking it down before it enters the intestines. Without enough stomach acid, you're likely to experience a variety of unpleasant side effects and symptoms, including gas, malabsorption, bloating, allergies, GERD, acid reflux and nutrition deficiencies.
Low Stomach Acid
Low stomach acid can negatively impact your health. That's why medical doctor Earl Mindell, author of "Dr. Earl Mindell's Amazing Apple Cider Vinegar," suggests drinking vinegar for restoring proper acid levels in the stomach. According to Mindell, drinking vinegar can prevent acid reflux and calm the effects of acid indigestion.
Vinegar Remedy
To restore acid to your stomach, Mindell suggests drinking a mixture of 2 tsp. of apple cider vinegar and 1 cup of water before meals. This should prevent acid reflux after the meal and aid in digestion.
Negative Effects
Drinking vinegar does have its drawbacks. According to MayoClinic.com, it can irritate your throat and esophagus, and may cause heartburn in some people. Likewise, drinking vinegar, diluted or not, can cause ulcers and interact with specific medications, such as diuretics and insulin, says Health Services at Columbia University.
References
- ProHealth; Lack of Stomach Acid -- Hypochlorhydria - Can Cause Lots of Problems; Sarah Myhill, M.D.; December 2007
- "Dr. Earl Mindell's Amazing Apple Cider Vinegar"; Earl Mindell, M.D.; 2002
- MayoClinic.com; Apple Cider Vinegar for Weight Loss: Effective?; Katherine Zeratsky, R.N., L.D.; April 2010
- Health Services at Columbia; Apple Cider Vinegar; August 2010
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