Acid Reflux and Vinegar: Does It Work?
Many people are constantly searching for a more natural, homemade
remedy for acid reflux disease, one such solution is vinegar. Numerous
over the counter and prescription remedies for acid reflux exist, but
not all sufferers find relief from medication. Additionally, the side
effects of some medications, as well as their expense make them
unattractive choices for some afflicted with acid reflux disease. That
results in alternative remedy like acid reflux and vinegar.
Acid Reflux and Vinegar: A Potential Homeopathic Cure but Proceed
with Caution
One natural remedy that has many proponents is apple cider vinegar.
Numerous success stories can be found on nearly any acid reflux message
board. Yet there seems to be no clear reason why acid reflux and vinegar
should be related in any positive way – if anything adding more acid to
the stomach (in the form of vinegar, which is acidic) should complicate
acid reflux symptoms.
One hypothesis about why acid reflux and vinegar might be related is a
controversial one – specifically, that acid reflux can sometimes be
caused by too little stomach acid. not too much stomach acid. This
theory holds that undigested food ferments in the stomach in the absence
of appropriate levels of stomach acid. Adding vinegar aids digestion and
reduces symptoms. Note that no one has tested this particular idea about
acid reflux and vinegar.
Another common explanation for the relationship between acid reflux and
vinegar is the placebo effect; people feel better because they expect to
feel better. This effect is termed placebo because that’s the name for
the decoy drug used in drug trials. Participants in the placebo group
receive a fake drug (either a sugar pill or other pharmaceutical filler)
to study the impact of expectations of medication on actual symptoms.
Some sufferers don’t particularly care why acid reflux and vinegar are
related – as long as they are. Feeling better is the end goal for most
with acid reflux disease and many are willing to try anything once. The
good news is that vinegar is unlikely to be harmful to people when
consumed in reasonable quantities. Some acid reflux sufferers have
indicated that acid reflux and vinegar don’t mix well; they report
intense increases in pain when ingesting vinegar.
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