Vinegar is purported to have many health uses, including several advantages to help with digestion. Many claim heartburn can be cured by vinegar.

Heartburn is a burning sensation that is usually associated with eating. Mayo Clinic doctors report it is caused by stomach acid that has backed up into the esophagus. Often people experience heartburn when they have had spicy food, onion, high fat foods or tomato products. Heartburn that happens often is sometimes caused by acid reflux disease or gastroesophageal reflux disease, which is known as (GERD).

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RefluxMD reports that while scientific research has not actually backed up claims that apple cider vinegar can help with acid reflux, there are some interesting reasons that it might. The main theory is that the acid in the vinegar helps break down fat so that the stomach does not have to produce the much stronger acids required to do the same thing. It’s a case of one acid being better than another. RefluxMD recommends taking it with plenty of water. It also points to the many potential negative side effects of the method including interaction with prescription medications, damage to tooth enamel and aggravating ulcers.

Apple cider vinegar has been considered a home remedy for heartburn for many years, The Washington Post reported. However, anecdotal evidence showed the cure was an unpleasant and perhaps ineffective solution to heartburn. The Washington Post contacted the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine and confirmed there are no scientific studies that back up vinegar as a cure for heartburn.

Combining apple cider vinegar and baking soda in water is a popular alternative method for treating heartburn, Livestrong reported, and those who’ve tried it offer anecdotal evidence that it works. Livestrong urged caution, pointing out that the mixture could cause throat irritation or interfere with medications.

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