Bragg - s Apple Cider Vinegar - History, Health Benefits and Uses

Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar – History, Health Benefits and Uses

History of the apple cider vinegar America trusts

Jack LaLane is quoted as saying, “Bragg saved my life at age 15 when I attended the Bragg Crusade in Oakland, California.”

Anecdotal uses and health benefits of ACV

Apple cider vinegar (abbreviated ACV) has been around the block and back. Hippocrates, the father of medicine, espoused vinegar as a miraculous healing agent for internal consumption and topical application. There have been a whole host of health claims made about apple cider vinegar over the years. We’ll take a look at which ones have solid scientific evidence behind them in a bit. Right now I’ll list some of the most common anecdotal uses and health benefits reported for apple cider vinegar.

• Weight loss
• Blood pressure ↓
• Cholesterol lowering
• Skin tonic and acne treatment
• Scalp health, hair regrowth, hair beautification and dandruff control
• Diabetes / blood glucose regulator
• Cancer adjuvant treatment
• Immune system booster
• Yeast infection treatment (vaginal)
• Toenail fungus treatment
• Heartburn / acid reflux treatment
• Digestion enhancer
• Wound cleaning / anti-infective
• Wart removal
• Ear infection treatment
• Head lice removal
• Cleanser of produce and foods

ACV health claims with scientific evidence

Weight loss

Diabetes – Blood glucose, insulin response, A1c, cholesterol

Ear infections

Using it for ear infections (otitis media) has been proven to work in a study where patients received an ear irrigation with 2% acetic acid solution three times per week for the maximum of 3 weeks without antibiotic therapy. [9] BUT their is an increased risk of damaging the hair cells within the ear (very important little guys). [10] Not worth it in my opinion.

ACV health claims with weaker evidence

One of the best studies demonstrating anti-tumor activity was a Japanese study that didn’t use apple cider vinegar but a different acetic acid source. They extracted the acetic acid from a traditional Japanese vinegar made from unpolished rice called Kurosu. The study showed a 62% inhibition of colon, lung carcinoma, breast adenocarcinoma, bladder carcinoma and prostate carcinoma cancer cell lines (in vitro at a dose of 0.025%). [11] This was conducted “in vitro” or in test tubes. Whether these results translate into human results requires further investigation and human studies.

Blood pressure

One study showed a reduction in blood pressure in a group of hypertensive rats that were given vinegar (in comparison to the control group of rats that did not). The mechanism behind the blood pressure reduction was thought to be from decreasing angiotensin II (ACE inhibitors like lisinopril are drugs that inhibit the production of angiotensin II which elevate blood pressure). [12] Human studies have mixed or inconclusive results. It may work for some individuals and not so much for others.

So what about the other health claims?

Precautions and reccomendations using ACV

How and when should I take apple cider vinegar?

What is the “Mother” in Bragg’s apple cider vinegar?

Homemade apple cider vinegar. Click the photo to learn how to make your own at home

Where do I get it? How much does it cost?

You don’t necessarily have to go to a health food store like Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods in order to find Bragg’s ACV. It’s a well-known product and most grocery stores have it available. It usually costs a little under $5 at your local grocery store or health food store for a 16 oz bottle. I haven’t seen them at typical grocery stores like Safeway/Vons but you can buy the large gallon jug from Amazon for under $20 bucks.

More about Paul Bragg and daughter Patricia

If you’re still curious about Paul Bragg, Patricia Bragg and the legacy of their company, I would check out the Bragg Health Institute which promotes health and wellness through educational programs and providing research grants.

About Doctor Scott Health

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8 comments

I generally use AVC for cold and flu and I feel it helps tremendously. Wondering why you didn’t mention this, is there no scientific evidence?

There hasn’t been much research into this because colds and flus are fairly self-contained and short-lived. But yes, I should add the list of anecdotal uses as it helps many prevent cold and flu. Many people take it as they feel the first symptoms of a cold or flu and often prevent full-blown illness. Thank you for sharing that with all of us

Thx for putting footnotes and references! I just thought AVC was a folk remedy with no scientific evidence.

Absolutely. I’m big on fact checking and making sure other readers have access to the same evidence that I use to draw my conclusions. Happy to hear you appreciate that aspect of the articles

I live in Alaska and have found it in Safeway. I dont know about all of their stores but thats where I buy it. Ofcourse, it also costs me nearly $9 for a 16oz bottle but its better than the shipping of a gallon! □

I’m glad you could get your hands on some up there in the northern latitudes. I always wondered if things tended to cost more because of shipping costs. Wow! $9 for a bottle at Safeway. I don’t want to know what the shipping costs for a gallon would be. Thanks for dropping a line. Stay tuned for an exclusive interview I’ll be doing with Patricia Bragg in the upcoming weeks

If you’re worried about ACV softening the enamal, drink it through a straw. Decreases the chance of contact with the teeth.

Ah yes, excellent recommendation John. Thank you for the input