Side Effects of Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is being used for decades commonly in flavorings, food dressings, and in preservatives, and is considered a home remedy for many health issues. 

According to a recent review, apple cider vinegar has the potential components that may help in the management of a variety of disorders and diseases like obesity, heart disease cancer, and bacterial infections. The consumption of apple cider vinegar may help in the nourishment of gut microbes since it contains natural bacteria and yeast.

Read more about the health benefits of apple cider vinegar.

However, little is known about to what extent ACV consumption is good for health and how much should be taken daily to avoid side effects. 

This article discusses the different adverse effects of ACV when consumed extensively. It also discussed tips on how to consume ACV safely to avoid these side effects.

Side effects of overconsumption of apple cider vinegar 

1. Tooth decay

Apple cider vinegar is acidic in nature. Our teeth are made up of enamel and the overconsumption of acidic food and beverages can affect the enamel structure leading to decay. 

According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, it is important to keep an eye on the symptoms of tooth decay. Usually, people don’t realize the damage that happens to the tooth on overconsumption of acidic food and beverages but once the enamel is damaged our teeth become sensitive to sweet food and hot and cold beverages. 

Tooth decay happens when one consumes ACV undiluted on a daily basis, to reduce the risk one should dilute the ACV or should consume it as a part of a food ingredient.

2. As a risk factor for hypoglycemia, when used with insulin 

Research suggests that people with type 1 diabetes should be careful while using ACV in their diet. ACV is been linked to delayed gastric emptying in patients with diabetic gastroparesis. If gastric emptying is delayed, it gets difficult to control blood sugar leading to more low-blood-sugar episodes.

Irrespective of the type of diabetes you have, it is recommended that you should consult a healthcare professional before using ACV in your diet.

3. Low potassium 

It’s been reported that ACV is responsible for causing low potassium levels. A low potassium level in the body is termed hypokalemia People with hypokalemia may or may show any symptoms but if the condition worsens some symptoms like muscle weakness and paralysis may appear. 

If you are consuming undiluted ACV on a regular basis and experiencing such symptoms you should immediately consult your healthcare professional.

4. Gastrointestinal issues 

As mentioned earlier, it is been reported that ACV helps in slowing down the rate at which food leaves the stomach suppressing appetite by making a person feel fuller for longer. However, keeping food in the stomach for a longer period of time can cause unwanted side effects like nausea, and vomiting. A study reported many participants felt nausea and indigestion after drinking vinegar at the breakfast, in which the potential of vinegar to control appetite was being studied. Consumption of undiluted ACV may cause stomach ulcers and acid reflux.

5. Esophageal and skin burn 

Because of the acidic nature of ACV, overconsumption of undiluted ACV may lead to throat irritation and burn in the esophagus. It is not recommended that you should apply undiluted ACV on your skin because of its acidic nature as it may cause burns and irritation. There are reports in which people suffered serious burns on the skin after the application of ACV that required medical attention. 

6. Interaction with other medications 

Apple cider vinegar may interfere with other medications like diuretics, laxatives, and insulin. It is always recommended that you should consult your healthcare professional before using ACV in your diet if you are taking these medications.

7. Bone loss

There are reports that overconsumption of undiluted ACV may cause bone loss. ACV might cause the leaching of calcium from bones buffering the acidity of the blood. It may also cause high acid levels that inhibit the formation of new bones.

8. May harm your kidneys

People with pre-existing kidney issues and immunocompromised kidneys should be careful while consuming too much ACV as ACV is highly acidic it may cause irreversible damage to the kidneys. Please consult your doctor before adding ACV to the diet if you have kidney issues.

How to safely use the ACV

• Keep the daily consumption of vinegar to the minimum 
• Avoid direct contact of skin with undiluted ACV
• Always consume diluted ACV, you can dilute it with water 
• Limit the direct contact of ACV with teeth, you can use a straw while drinking it

Conclusion 

The consumption of ACV has become a trend because of its health benefits but more research is needed to support these claims. Along with its health benefits, you should also be aware of its side effects. You should always consult your doctor before using ACV in your diet if you are on medication. You can get free teleconsultation from our expert doctors on our online pharmacy – Truemeds or you can also download our Truemeds app. You can avail of branded as well as generic medicines by uploading your prescription on Truemeds. When placing an order for medicines online, you may save more money by selecting alternative or generic medicine advised by Truemed’s expert doctors. You can also save up to 72% on your purchase and get free home delivery pan India.

Disclaimer – The information given in this article is true to our best knowledge, still, we will recommend that you should consult your doctor before using ACV in your diet.

Frequently asked questions

References
https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/tooth-decay#symptoms
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/apple-cider-vinegar-diet-does-it-really-work-2018042513703
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15983536/
https://www.poison.org/articles/vinegar-164