Acid Reflux - How Apple Cider Vinegar Affects Your Heartburn

Acid Reflux - How Apple Cider Vinegar Affects Your Heartburn

Some acid reflux remedies are somewhat surprising. Many people have never thought about using apple cider vinegar to relieve heartburn. In fact, the idea that apple cider vinegar might be effective for these purposes is not very intuitive. Taking antacids to reduce heartburn symptoms is more intuitive. If a person's digestive system contains too much acid, it makes sense to counteract that acid with something highly alkaline. However, this strategy can be somewhat counterproductive for people with severe and persistent heartburn, and it is possible that they should seek other acid reflux remedies.

For one thing, many stomach problems are actually caused by insufficient acid levels, as opposed to an excess of acid. The stomach sometimes contracts more due to this insufficient stomach acid. As such, consuming something that is more acidic may actually be beneficial. The acid that people add to their digestive system by consuming apple cider vinegar is a weak acid compared to stomach acid, making it a benefit that works in favor of the person experiencing acid reflux symptoms.

The acid in apple cider vinegar is acetic acid, which is only slightly acidic. Stomach acid is among the most acidic of all available acids, which is why misplaced stomach acid can be so biologically disruptive. Relieving heartburn often involves changing the internal environment of a person's digestive system. In some cases, making this internal environment more alkaline and therefore significantly less acidic will help people more. In other cases, making that internal environment just slightly less acidic is enough to do the trick. Controlling acid reflux is a matter of managing stomach acid, and apple cider vinegar may be able to accomplish this more effectively than many other types of home remedies or standard medicines.

Swinging too far in the other direction can sometimes simply cause a person to experience severe heartburn down the line, and sometimes using antacids can cause this vicious cycle. Technically, apple cider vinegar does exactly the same thing as antacids: it makes the internal environment of a person's digestive system less acidic. However, only minor changes are made, as opposed to dramatic changes, which may be the partial secret of its success.

Heartburn relief needs to be treated carefully and often is not. People tend to want quick and dramatic solutions to their heartburn, which is understandable. However, drinking two or three teaspoons of apple cider vinegar mixed into an 8-ounce glass of water often provides a quick solution to heartburn relief, even if it is not yet considered a traditional acid reflux remedy.

Inspired by Eldridge Williams II