Can Taking Apple Cider Vinegar Fight Inflammation?

Inflammation is present in our bodies all the time. Some people suffer from a great deal of inflammation throughout their body, while in others it is less noticeable. Some people have inflammation that they feel every day; for example, in their joints. And some people have inflammation inside their bodies that we cannot see; for example, in their intestines. The battle to win against inflammation has been ongoing and there are lots of ways to combat the flare ups in our bodies. One suggested way to reduce inflammation in the body is taking apple cider vinegar(ACV), especially if your inflammation is caused by your gluten intolerance or Celiac Disease.

 

What Does Apple Cider Vinegar Do for Your Body?

ACV has a long list of health benefits, and as an anti-inflammatory, apple cider vinegar can help reduce the amount of inflammation in your body from the inside out. There are lots of ways to reduce inflammation when it comes to medicine and topical treatments, but sometimes you have to go to the source of the problem to cause the flare up to subside. It doesn’t work for everyone, but drinking a little bit of apple cider vinegar can help reduce the amount of inflammation in your body. You can mix it with water to dilute it a bit and to soften the bitter taste.

Apple cider vinegar contains a good number of nutrients that are key in fighting inflammation and healing your gut (where a lot of inflammation starts). It contains Vitamin C which is an antioxidant vitamin, meaning it fights free radicals that can cause inflammation.

While ACV has an acidic pH (normally around 3.1(source)) it actually helps the body from being too acidic or too alkaline by helping neutralize stomachs that are too acidic or alkaline, since your stomach acid should be in the 3 pH range during digestion(source). So if your stomach is too acidic or too alkaline, taking apple cider vinegar before meals can help either increase or decrease your stomach acid’s pH level to the optimal range.

It  also contains potassium which helps against pain, and improves your hydrochloric (HCL) stomach acid levels which help you digest better and gain nutrients easier.

 

What Kind of Apple Cider Vinegar Works Best?

As with anything you buy, you want to buy the best. When you are talking about ingesting a food product for your health, it is especially important to ingest a good quality apple cider vinegar. You want to buy organic, if possible and don’t buy the stuff in the cooking aisle. That is not real apple cider vinegar. Look for ACV that is unpasteurized, raw and organic apple cider vinegar with “the mother.”

The most recommended way to take ACV is a tablespoon first thing in the morning in a glass of water (or if you’re tastebuds can handle it, just take the ACV directly and wash it down with water after. Its important to rinse your mouth with water after, since it can break down your tooth enamel if not diluted soon enough.

 

What Should You Expect From Drinking or Eating Apple Cider Vinegar?

Nothing at first. With any at home remedy, you should expect it to take a few days to have some kind, if any, effect. You should never rely on home remedies alone, but rather a combination of approaches to help relieve some of the inflammation in your body. You can also try reducing acidic and citrusy fruits from your diet. This may be recommended to you if you are suffering from Celiac Disease anyway, but it’s worth trying if you want to maximize your home remedies for reducing inflammation.

You can also expect apple cider vinegar to reduce other symptoms associated with inflammation in the body as well, including gas, bloating and heartburn. Some of the effects of Celiac Disease is that you have a lot of uncomfortable stomach issues, and if you can find a way to manage those, it can make your day-to-day life much more enjoyable and comfortable.

Before you try any self treatment for your gluten intolerance, inflammation or Celiac Disease, be sure to consult your doctor or naturopath to determine the best course of action for your symptoms. Of course, ingesting small amounts of apple cider vinegar won’t hurt you, but it’s best to get advice on whether or not it will actually help you based on your treatment plans and medications.