Heartburn symptoms are experienced by almost everyone at some point. Occasional heartburn is annoying but usually not a serious threat to your health or lifestyle. However, many people suffer from heartburn on a regular basis, and often the discomfort is severe. This is cause for concern because serious injury can result from prolonged and repeated heartburn. Many sufferers turn to vinegar to treat their symptoms.
What Causes Heartburn
Heartburn occurs when stomach acid flows up into the esophagus--the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach. There is a valve that separates the esophagus from the stomach and is supposed to keep the acid safely in the stomach. When this valve does not close sufficiently, stomach acid escapes and burns the esophagus. This burning is known as heartburn.
Traditional View
The traditional belief is that heartburn is caused by too much acid in the stomach. Therefore, treatment typically focuses on the use of antacids to reduce this supposed excess acid. But some doctors, especially naturalists, believe that many people have too little acid, not too much. They point out that stomach acid usually decreases as people age, and that teenagers usually have a lot more stomach acid than adults yet rarely suffer from heartburn.
Too Little Acid
Stomach acid is necessary for more than just digesting food. It also helps maintain the proper amount of "good" bacteria that is necessary for digestion, while keeping the "bad" bacteria that causes illness from multiplying too much. Stomach acid is part of our immune system. People with low stomach acid often become ill because unwanted bacteria have been able to grow and spread. Antacids can make this condition worse, which is why some doctors advise against their use.
Vinegar Theory
It is important to note that unfiltered apple cider vinegar (ACV) is the only kind of vinegar that is recommended for heartburn treatment. Other types of vinegar do not have the same qualities as ACV and can be detrimental if consumed in any great quantity.
The theory behind ACV use to treat heartburn is that the lower esophageal sphincter (LES)--the valve that keeps stomach acid from splashing up into the esophagus--closes due to the presence of acid. When there is too little stomach acid, the valve does not close sufficiently, and acid can slip past and cause heartburn. ACV adds acid to the stomach, which then triggers the LES to close completely and stop the acid from reaching the esophagus.
A common folk test to determine if your heartburn is caused by too little acid is to take a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar before you eat. If this helps reduce your heartburn, then it is likely that your problem is too little acid.
Cautions
ACV has been used and recommended for years as a healthy substance for many problems, including heartburn. But most of the reports supporting its effectiveness are anecdotal. Very little scientific research has been conducted on the use of ACV as a treatment for heartburn. Some medical experts discount vinegar's use. Be aware that since ACV is an acid, swallowing too much can possibly hurt your esophagus. It can also damage the enamel on your teeth and possibly upset the acid balance in your stomach.
Recommendation
If you wish to use ACV to enhance your health and combat heartburn, you should consult with a health provider who is familiar with ACV and knows how to monitor its effectiveness, while watching for any negative effects.
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