Apple Cider Vinegar, also known as ACV, is a type of vinegar made from cider or apple must and has a pale to medium amber color.
ACV is made by crushing apples and squeezing out the liquid. Bacteria and yeast are added to the juice of the crushed apples, thereby starting the alcoholic fermentation process where the sugars are turned into alcohol. During a second fermentation process, the alcohol is converted into vinegar by acetic acid-forming bacteria. Acetic acid and malic acid give vinegar its sour taste.
Apple cider vinegar has many beneficial nutrients, including potassium, iron, calcium and amino acids that reduce toxin buildup and serve as antibiotics.
The most effective ingredient in apple cider vinegar that treats and prevents gout is acetic acid.
Acetic acid turns alkaline inside the body forming a pH-balanced environment that prevents gout. When the body’s pH balance is acidic, gout thrives. However, by shifting your pH balance toward alkaline, you can cure gout and prevent it from coming back.
Apple cider vinegar breaks up uric acid crystals in the joints and prevents them from reforming. This aids blood circulation and purification.
ACV also reduces inflammation and swelling in the joints, allowing for better flexibility. It also contains higher amounts of malic acid which explains why consuming ACV in appropriate dosages is more beneficial than eating an apple directly.
Many people experience relief from gout symptoms within a few hours after using apple cider vinegar. However, others have reported relief after a few days.
How to Use Apple Cider Vinegar for Gout Treatment
For the most effective results, drink 2-3 tablespoons mixed in 8oz of water. Repeat this 2 to 3 times a day.
Never drink apple cider vinegar straight up. Always dilute with water to prevent acid damage to your esophagus and stomach.
To help with the taste, you could also add a teaspoon of raw honey to your drink. You can also try mixing in some cherry juice for more sweetness!
You can also use apple cider vinegar as a topical treatment for gout. When you are experiencing a gout attack, soak your foot for about 30 minutes in a bucket of 4 cups of hot water and 1 cup of apple cider vinegar.
You can also soak a clean, dry cloth in apple cider vinegar and wrap it around the affected area for about 15 minutes.
What type of ACV do I buy?
We recommend purchasing Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar or any ACV brand that is organic and non-pasteurized. This ensures that the apple cider vinegar has not been processed and heated while still containing the nutrients, minerals, and enzymes required to combat your gout symptoms.
The cheaper (and more clear) ACV has been heated and distilled, removing many of the health benefits of apple cider vinegar.
The raw type contains what we call “mother of vinegar”, which is a strand-like structure of living bacteria that makes ACV appear more “cloudy”.