Health Tips


Apple cider vinegar has been used as a natural remedy against numerous illnesses for a long time. It is a pretty beneficial ingredient, but sometimes it can cause serious adverse side-effects, especially if you’re on some kind of medications. Before moving on to see when you should avoid it, let’s see some of the health benefits of ACV.


Health benefits of apple cider vinegar

ACV has been used as a weight loss “assistant” for centuries thanks to its satiating properties. The liquid stimulates digestion and stirs up the digestive enzymes, resulting in more efficient weight loss. According to one Chinese study, ACV also reduces the risk of esophageal cancer by 37%, while also relieving a host of other digestive problems.


Besides resolving digestive problems, ACV can also be used against yeast infections such as athlete’s foot. It can regulate the blood pressure as well, and reduce the level of bad cholesterol in your blood. ACV is a powerful anti-glycemic agent which can prevent the digestion of starches and keep the blood sugar levels under control, effectively preventing diabetes.


Don’t consume ACV if you’re on these medications!

Although generally safe to consume, ACV shouldn’t be taken in combination with a variety of medications. Consuming it regularly may lower your potassium levels to the point of potassium deficiency, resulting in numerous problems which can take quite a while to be fixed. Here are the medications that shouldn’t be combined with apple cider vinegar:



ACV can seriously interfere with the actions of Lanoxin, a drug often prescribed for heart problems. By obstructing the absorption of calcium, ACV combined with Lanoxin can cause mood swings, depression, diarrhea and vomiting.


Diuretics (Thalinone, Lasix, Diuril)
These diuretics are taken for bloating and stimulate the digestive system to eliminate the excess fluids in the body. As apple cider vinegar can disrupt the levels of potassium in the body (a mineral that controls the water balance), it might be wise to avoid consuming it if you’re on these drugs.



Insulin shots are the most prescribed medication against diabetes as they balance the levels of blood sugar in the body. Although ACV can balance the blood sugar levels, it shouldn’t be combined with insulin shots as it can lower the potassium levels and cause adverse side-effects.


Besides causing potassium deficiency, ACV can also increase the risk of osteoporosis in the long run.


Here are groups of people who shouldn’t consume ACV for a longer period:

Pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers

Although it hasn’t been scientifically proven, experts suggest avoiding ACV when you’re pregnant. The same goes for breastfeeding mothers as there’s not enough evidence on how the liquid affects newborns.



If you’re suffering from diabetes, it’s best to stay away from ACV. As we mentioned before, the liquid can lower your potassium levels and cause numerous problems. Since insulin lowers the potassium levels as well, experts recommend not mixing the two.


Postmenopausal women

This group of women are already at an increased risk of reduced bone density, and taking ACV can make matters worse by stripping the body of potassium which is important for the bones.


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