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What are the Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar for Gout?

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

The use of apple cider vinegar, alone and in combination with other products, has a long history in folk medicine as being an effective management tool for people suffering with some form of gout. The vinegar is said to aid in easing swelling and inflammation, which in turn minimizes the pain felt by the gout sufferer. Experiments conducted under controlled conditions have produced mixed results regarding the use of apple cider vinegar for gout, with some studies indicating the vinegar may be helpful in some cases while other studies report no appreciable benefits from the use of any home remedy containing apple cider vinegar. For this reason, evidence of the usefulness of using the vinegar to treat gout remains largely anecdotal.

For those who claim that using apple cider vinegar is effective, the benefits normally relate to improving the range of motion while minimizing the swelling that comes with the condition. The swelling reduction provides relief from aches and pains associated with gout, while the improved joint flexibility allows the individual to move more freely, increasing the general quality of life. By improving the physical condition of the patient, this treatment for gout is also believed to indirectly provide mental as well as physical benefits, since the gout sufferer is able to enjoy a wider range of activities without the distractions of the constant pain.

Apple cider vinegar.
Apple cider vinegar.

Proponents of the use of apple cider vinegar for gout note that there is a wide range of nutrients found in raw apple cider vinegar. While many of those nutrients are in trace amounts, the combination is said to provide many different benefits to the body. By improving the function of the body in general, including the bolstering of the immune system, this blend of nutrients allows the body to naturally deal with the presence of the gout using its own defenses, rather than relying on the use of various nuclear medications to manage the condition.

Overweight individuals have an increased risk of developing gout.
Overweight individuals have an increased risk of developing gout.

There are actually several different treatments involving apple cider vinegar for gout. One approach involves the topical application of a paste that is made using apple cider vinegar and several different types of herbs. The treatment is applied much in the same manner as a mustard pack. Purportedly, the combination helps to dissolve uric acid as the nutrients leach into the skin, resulting in relief from joint swelling and promoting flexibility.

Gout is a type of arthritic disease that usually affects the joints in the lower part of the body.
Gout is a type of arthritic disease that usually affects the joints in the lower part of the body.

A different approach requires the preparation of a tonic containing apple cider vinegar along with honey and different herbs. The tonic nourishes the immune system as well as the muscles, making it easier for the body to deal with the inflammation while also feeding the muscles and clearing the bloodstream, effectively improving circulation. While many individuals report benefits from the use of apple cider vinegar for gout, choosing to try these methods while taking medication for the condition should only occur after consulting with a physician.

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including WiseGEEK, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.

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Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including WiseGEEK, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.

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Discussion Comments

fBoyle

I have gout and I drink apple cider vinegar daily even though I'm taking gout medications. The medications are not very effective for me on their own.

It can be tough to take apple cider vinegar, but it's not so bad when a tablespoon is added to a glass of warm water with honey. I take it on an empty stomach in the morning, it seems to work better. I buy apple cider vinegar with the mother, because this type is more beneficial.

My neighbor has gout too and he too tried apple cider vinegar. He said it didn't work for him though, so I'm not sure if this remedy works for everyone.

SteamLouis

@ZipLine-- I'm glad you asked this, many people wonder the same thing.

You are right about uric acid and acidity. Vinegar is an acidic food but it turns alkaline when it enters the body. So it will not increase acidity, rather it will reduce it. And this is why some people use vinegar for gout.

Apple cider vinegar has many benefits. Aside from helping with gout, it can also help you lose weight and reduce your cholesterol. Coincidentally, these two results also help reduce and prevent gout in the long term.

ZipLine

I don't understand how apple cider vinegar can be used for gout. Doesn't gout occur when the body is in an acidic state? Because uric acid crystallizes in an acidic environment. How will vinegar, an acid, help?

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    • Apple cider vinegar.
      By: Roman Ivaschenko
      Apple cider vinegar.
    • Overweight individuals have an increased risk of developing gout.
      By: Dave
      Overweight individuals have an increased risk of developing gout.
    • Gout is a type of arthritic disease that usually affects the joints in the lower part of the body.
      By: p6m5
      Gout is a type of arthritic disease that usually affects the joints in the lower part of the body.
    • Gout has long been associated with beer consumption.
      By: BRAD
      Gout has long been associated with beer consumption.
    • Gout may cause some individuals to sweat excessively.
      By: blanche
      Gout may cause some individuals to sweat excessively.
    • A high body mass index is considered to be a major risk factor for diseases such as gout and diabetes.
      By: Rozmaryna
      A high body mass index is considered to be a major risk factor for diseases such as gout and diabetes.