There are countless health benefits of using apple cider vinegar. It is widely regarded as a sort of miracle worker that can help in treating a variety of conditions. It has been known to alleviate symptoms of a cold and cure sore throat, help people lose weight and reduce body fat, lower cholesterol, control blood sugar levels and manage diabetes. It has anti-inflammatory properties and can fight harmful bacteria.
It contains amino acids, antioxidants, good bacteria, as well as some vitamins and minerals, namely potassium, copper and magnesium.
Acid Reflux or GERD: The Facts
Acid reflux or heartburn is also known as GERD (gastro-esophageal reflux disease). It occurs when the gastric acid, that acts as a main digestive tool for breaking down and absorbing all the nutrients from the food you eat, travels up the esophagus – the tube that carries the food to your stomach.
This can cause an unpleasant burning sensation in your chest or throat and a sour taste in your mouth. Other symptoms may include excess gas, bloating, bad breath, belly or abdomen discomfort and feeling sick.
According to study 15-30% of the population of the US suffers from GERD. It is a very common sickness that many people face on a daily basis, and most people will experience at some point in their lives.
Although the symptoms do not generally last long, acid reflux can feel extremely uncomfortable and be very disruptive to an individual’s life. Some people use apple cider vinegar for prevention of GERD or to help ease the pain.
What Is Apple Cider Vinegar And How Can It Treat GERD?
Apple cider vinegar is created by adding yeast and bacteria to crushed apples resulting in fermented liquid with acetic acid as its main active ingredient.
It may seem irrational to treat a condition that has gastric acid as the culprit with another type of acid. However, there are various theories on how the vinegar works. One theory is that it balances the stomach acidity by increasing PH levels as the acetic acid is weaker than hydrochloric acid that out stomach produces.
Another theory is that acid reflux results from a decline in the production of stomach acid, which can be caused by different factors. For example, age progression can be one of the reasons, while other explanations include taking certain medications.
Many people take apple cider vinegar for digestion and it is widely believed to aid in the breakdown of fat. It can also act as an effective antibiotic, eliminating several types of harmful bacteria. A small scientific study carried out by a graduate student in 2015 found that ingesting apple cider vinegar can diminish the intensity of acid reflux for some people.
Possible Side-Effects
For people who have an exceptionally sensitive stomach drinking apple cider vinegar may result in discomfort. It has the potential to increase the pain you experience during heartburn due to its acidic nature. Those who want to try it for an alleviation of the symptoms of acid reflux are strongly advised to dilute the substance with water to prevent burning your throat or the walls of your food pipe.
Another thing to keep in mind is the vinegar’s ability to destroy tooth enamel, so try to avoid letting it touch your teeth as much as possible. Rinse your mouth after use – it will also help to get rid of the aftertaste as it is not exactly pleasant.
Medical Conditions That Can Be Affected By Using Apple Cider Vinegar
If you take any medication, consult your doctor before using apple cider vinegar for heartburn. It can interact negatively with a number of different prescriptions such as heart disease medication, so make sure that you check with your health practitioner before attempting to use it. Other medicines the effectiveness of which may be affected by the acidic substance include diabetes drugs, diuretics, and laxatives.
Blood thinning is another possible side-effect of consuming the vinegar. If you have a related condition, you need to discuss with your doctor if you should be using this substance.
Ulcers are a definite reason to avoid using apple cider vinegar; it can cause extreme aggravation due to its acidity and can create a serious health risk with your condition.
Other Home Remedies That Help With Heartburn
There are a number of home remedies you can try that have been proven to be successful in relieving GERD. Certain changes in lifestyle can aid in alleviating the symptoms of acid reflux: achieving a healthy weight and portion control, avoiding triggering food, quitting smoking, wearing loose clothing and elevating the head of the bed. Combining these with the use of apple cider vinegar can bring about more noticeable results.
Even though it sounds a little insane, Baking soda treats heartburn very effectively. Just add half a teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of clean and pure water. Drinking this solution sip by sip slowly will give you relief from heartburn. Baking soda is said to balance the pH of stomach acids and thus relieves you from heartburn and acidity.
Diet can be a factor in triggering heartburn and it can also be an effective treatment for it. A study published in 2017 found that a healthy diet can achieve a meaningful reduction in symptoms in comparison with only taking medication
Apple cider vinegar is a natural holistic medicine that can be used for a variety of purposes. It is a remedy that has been around for centuries and has fulfilled many of our different needs. The properties of this intriguing substance allow us to use it for cooking, wellness treatments as well as housekeeping. There are numerous health benefits of apple cider vinegar that make it a substance that is appealing to consider including it into your daily routine.
More research is required in order to determine whether apple cider vinegar can be used to treat heartburn. At the moment there is very little scientific evidence, but there are a lot of people who happily share their experiences and swear by its efficacy. If you want to avoid using medication, there a few things you can do at home to help you manage the symptoms of acid reflux.
By taking a more holistic approach to our health, we can benefit from seeing our body as one organism working together. The combination of adapting our lifestyle by listening to the needs of our bodies and using traditional medicines such as apple cider vinegar can help achieve the best results. It can be worth trying if you want to relieve acid reflux symptoms without the use of pharmaceutical drugs.
