Apple cider vinegar ( ACV) has been extensively used for cooking and medicinal purposes since time immemorial. But the demand for apple cider vinegar supplements has skyrocketed in recent times.
Extracted from fermented apples, ACV contains about 5-6% acetic acid (1).
Apple cider vinegar is said to have several health benefits, including increased weight loss, decreasing cholesterol levels, and reducing blood sugar levels (2, 3, 4).
The benefits are often attributed to a matter called mother in the vinegar. The ‘mother’ is said to contain some enzymes, proteins, and good bacteria that enhance the properties of vinegar.
When buying apple cider vinegar, ensure that it’s not labeled “apple-flavored,” as this means the vinegar isn’t really made from apples. Look for products that are free of additives such as preservatives, food colors, or flavorings. Added sugar is another culprit you need to watch out for.
We have simplified matters for you by listing here the best 6 apple cider vinegar supplements for you to choose from, as well as, dosage instructions, and side effects.
Our Best Picks:
1. Best Apple Cider Vinegar Pills – VitaPost Apple Cider Vinegar Pure
2. Best Apple Cider Vinegar With Mother – Vitauthority Extra Strength Apple Cider Vinegar
3. Best Apple Cider Vinegar Gummies – Essential Elements Apple Cider Vinegar Gummy
4. Best Budget Apple Cider Vinegar Supplement – Now Foods Apple Cider Vinegar Capsules
5. Best Apple Cider Vinegar Liquid – Dynamic Health Laboratories Apple Cider Vinegar With Mother
6. Best Apple Cider Vinegar Liquid With Honey – Bragg Organic All Natural Drink Apple Cider Vinegar & Honey
1. Best Apple Cider Vinegar Pills: VitaPost Apple Cider Vinegar Pure
Apple cider vinegar has a very strong taste and is very pungent. This can be off-putting for people, who might find it difficult to drink it in its pure form.
That is why there are many apple cider vinegar pills available in the market that can be taken easily.
About VitaPost Apple Cider Vinegar Pure
VitaPost’s apple cider vinegar pills are made from pure and high-quality apple extracts that have been naturally fermented.
The capsules which contain the extracts are easy to swallow and are designed to prevent from giving you the strong taste, which is often too harsh for most palettes.
The pills are naturally fermented from extracts sourced domestically and from abroad. The manufacturing is completely done within the USA, following Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) guidelines.
VitaPost pills are gluten-free and non-GMO, containing apple cider vinegar in pure form, and are devoid of any harmful additives, fillers, and binding agents.
What it Contains:
Each VitaPost Apple Cider Vinegar Pure tablet contains:
- 1300 mg of pure apple cider vinegar
The capsule shell is made from entirely vegetarian cellulose. However, it is not entirely vegetarian because it contains L-Leucine.
VitaPost recommends taking two capsules every day and not exceeding this dosage. Each bottle of VitaPost Apple Cider Vinegar Pure contains 60 pills in the capsule form, which means it can easily last a month.
VitaPost Apple Cider Vinegar Pure is available without subscription in medical stores, and you can also easily order the pills online. The company usually offers a discount when you order more than one unit.
The Pros:
- Easy-to-swallow and no harsh taste
- Pure apple cider vinegar with no sugar, fillers, or additives
- Made in the USA
- Non-GMO and gluten-free
Summary: VitaPost Apple Cider Vinegar Pure is one of the best acv pills that comes in the capsule form. The product saves you from the strong taste of the vinegar and guarantees purity and quality.
2. Best Apple Cider Vinegar With ‘Mother’: Vitauthority Extra Strength Apple Cider Vinegar
‘Mother’ is the wispy byproduct which we get after the fermentation of apples in the process of making apple cider vinegar.
It is believed that ‘mother’ is full of probiotics and other enzymes and is believed to be a crucial element in making apple cider vinegar more beneficial in weight loss, improving digestion, regulating glucose, etc.
About Vitauthority Extra Strength Apple Cider Vinegar
Vitauthority Apple Cider Vinegar capsules come in the form of vegetable-shell capsules containing an “ultra-potent” concoction of apple cider vinegar with the ‘mother’ extract.
The supplement’s USP is its ‘extra strength’ formula, which contains ‘grain of paradise,’ a ginger-related spice from the Mediterranean which claims to possess various medicinal properties, including burning body fat.
The product, made entirely in the USA, is considered one of the best apple cider vinegar capsules and does not contain any stimulant. It is also vegan-friendly, non-GMO, and gluten-free.
What it Contains:
One serving size (two capsules) of Vitauthority Extra Strength Apple Cider Vinegar contain:
- 1500 mg of apple cider vinegar powder (with the mother)
- 25 mg of grains of paradise extract
Each Vitauthority bottle contains 120 vegetarian capsules, which means that you can get a month of your dosage from it.
Vitauthority is so sure about the quality that they offer, that they have a 60-day money-back guarantee, even if you send back an empty container.
The Pros:
- Contains ‘mother’ which makes the supplement more potent
- Contains ‘grain of paradise’ for better metabolism
- 60-day money-back guarantee
- Vegan-friendly and gluten-free
Summary: Vitauthority Extra Strength Apple Cider Vinegar Pure comes with ‘mother,’ for better results, and is enhanced with the ‘grain of paradise’ extract to improve metabolism. Suitable for vegans, the supplement is entirely made in the USA and comes with a money-back guarantee that makes it one of the best apple cider vinegar pills with mother.
3. Best Apple Cider Vinegar Gummies: Essential Elements Apple Cider Vinegar Gummy
Many people are not okay putting up with the taste of apple cider vinegar liquid or even popping pills every day. Fortunately, they have another way to reap the benefits of apple cider vinegar in the form of jelly-like chewable gummies.
About Essential Elements Apple Cider Vinegar Gummy
Essential Elements is a US company that specializes in manufacturing wellness and dietary supplements. Their Apple Cider Vinegar Gummy is the best solution to bypass the strong taste of the vinegar and avoid pills.
The gummies taste like apples when eaten because they are produced from fermenting mashed apples.
The product has been derived from the ‘mother’ byproduct of the ACV, which makes it potent and effective. The supplement is also fortified with Vitamin B and iodine, which makes it even more beneficial.
All Essential Elements products are made in the USA, third-party certified, and come with a 365 days money-back guarantee.
What it Contains:
Each serving size of Essential Elements Apple Cider Vinegar Gummy (two gummies) contain:
- 100 mg of pure apple cider vinegar from the ‘mother’
- 1 mg of Vitamin B6 (as Pyridoxine Hydrochloride)
- 240 mcg of Folic Acid
- 2.4 mcg of Vitamin B12 (as Cyanocobalamin)
- 100 mcg of Iodine (from Potassium Iodide)
- 12 mg of Sodium
One serving size of the supplement has 24 calories, 6 g of carbohydrates, and 4 g of sugars.
Available in the ‘Red Apple’ flavor, each bottle contains 60 gummies, which means you get 30 servings.
Essential Elements offers significant discounts on bulk orders of three or six units of the product.
The Pros:
- Easy to eat and tastes of apples
- Derived purely from ‘mother’
- Fortified with Vitamin B
- One year money-back guarantee
Summary: Essential Elements’ gummy is one of the best ways to consume apple cider vinegar and undercut the task of ingesting the strong brew. The gummies are red apple-flavored, and extracted purely from ‘mother.’ With added Vitamin B and a one-year guarantee of money-back, these gummies are surely one of the best available.
4. Best Budget Apple Cider Vinegar: Now Foods Apple Cider Vinegar Capsules
If you intend to take apple cider vinegar supplements for a considerable time, it can get taxing on your pocket. However, there are a few brands that offer quality products at affordable prices.
About Now Foods Apple Cider Vinegar Capsules
Now Foods is one of the oldest food supplement manufacturers in the USA. Established in the late 1960s, the firm has fulfilled the supplemental needs of the people ever since.
Its credentials are further bolstered by the numerous accolades the company has won for various aspects of business and product quality.
Now Foods Apple Cider Vinegar capsules are one of the best supplements in the budget category.
These high-potency supplements are counted in some of the best apple cider vinegar tablets, are made in a GMP-compliant facility, and are also non-GMO.
What it Contains:
Each serving (of two capsules) of Now Foods Apple Cider Vinegar capsules includes:
- 900 mg of apple cider vinegar powder
The exterior covering of the capsule is made from gelatine and contains silica and magnesium stearate.
One bottle of Now Foods Apple Cider Vinegar contains 180 capsules of 450 mg each. Thus, you can make one entire bottle last for 90 servings.
The Pros:
- Value-for-money
- Non-GMO
- High-potency capsules
- Made in a GMP-compliant facility
Summary: Now Foods Apple Cider Vinegar capsules are some of the most pocket-friendly supplements available. Now Foods has been in the business for decades, and if you’re on a tight budget, this is a top-rated apple cider vinegar pill that you can choose.
5. Best Liquid Apple Cider Vinegar: Dynamic Health Laboratories Apple Cider Vinegar
Many people who want to reap the benefits usually take apple cider vinegar in its original liquid form. And many others actually take a liking to its flavor.
About Dynamic Health Laboratories Apple Cider Vinegar With Mother
Dynamic Health Laboratories is a US-based niche firm specializing in liquid-based health foods, concentrates, blends, and other condiments, including apple cider vinegar.
Their liquid Apple Cider Vinegar is made from organically certified apples, and the final product comes as raw, unfiltered, and unpasteurized, making it as natural as it comes.
The product also contains ‘mother,’ produced naturally during the fermentation of apples through the introduction of acetobacter.
What it Contains:
A single serving (15 ml) of the apple cider vinegar contains:
- Raw organic apple cider vinegar (diluted to 5% acidity)
- Filtered water
Each serving also contains around 10mg of potassium.
The Dynamic Health Laboratories Apple Cider Vinegar bottle comes in two variants; 16 fl oz (473 ml) and 32 fl oz (946 ml).
One tablespoon (approx. 15 ml) of apple cider constitutes one serving, which is to be taken before or after meals. So depending on which variant you order, you get 32 or 64 servings from a single bottle.
You can also mix it with honey, syrup, or any beverage of your choice.
The Pros:
- Made from certified organic apples
- Raw, unfiltered, and unpasteurized
- Kosher and Halal certified
- Made in the USA
Summary: Dynamic Health Laboratories’ Apple Cider Vinegar is organically produced and is one of the most natural products in the market. People used to the liquid’s taste and pungency should go for this option.
6. Best Liquid Apple Cider Vinegar with Honey: Bragg Organic All Natural Drink Apple Cider
Honey is a superfood known to have many health benefits (5, 6, 7). But when it comes to apple cider vinegar, in addition to improving the medicinal value, its principal purpose is to sweeten the bitter sour concoction.
About Bragg Organic All Natural Drink Apple Cider Vinegar & Honey
Bragg is one of the oldest names in the health food business and was established over a hundred years ago in 1912.
Bragg’s Organic Apple Cider Vinegar All Natural Drink has natural apple cider vinegar made from organic apples and naturally-procured honey.
Organic unfiltered apple cider vinegar by Bragg is already a popular product, and this a viable alternative for those who cannot consume it as it is.
This alcohol-free drink is also free from corn, dairy, peanut, soy, wheat, caffeine, artificial sweeteners, lactose, gluten, MSG, and any artificial colors.
The product is 95% certified organic, non-GMO, and certified kosher.
What it Contains:
Each serving (2 tbsp or 30 ml) consists of:
- Organic Apple Cider Vinegar
- Organic Honey
- Pure Distilled Water
One serving also has 40 calories, 10 grams carbohydrates, and 10 grams of sugar.
Bragg recommends dissolving 4 tbsp of the vinegar in 12 fl oz of water to create a drink or using it directly in toppings, sauces, or marinades.
One bottle of the drink is 16 fl oz (473 ml), which means it can contain up to 16 servings. You can usually get a pack of four or more bottles at a discount online.
The Pros:
- All-natural, organic, and non-GMO
- No fat, gluten, MSG, or artificial sweetener
- Laced with organically extracted honey
- Kosher certified
Summary: Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar comes with the promise of an over century-old legacy of brilliant craftsmanship in the manufacturing of apple cider vinegar. The product is sweetened with organically produced honey to offset its pungency and is undoubtedly one of the best liquid drinks to go for.
The Dosage Instructions for Apple Cider Vinegar Supplements
While there is no universally accepted daily requirement for apple cider vinegar, most supplement manufacturers recommend a dosage between 15 to 30 ml of the drink for best results.
You can either drink the cider vinegar as it is, mix it with water or any other beverage, or even use it in preparing sauces, marinades, or syrups.
While taking apple cider vinegar with meals, during or after, is usually recommended, there are no strict rules around the same.
For capsules and gummies, it may vary between 900-1500 mg and frequency adjusted as per the size of the capsule of gummy.
However, it is important to remember that there are no detailed researches that have been undertaken to ascertain the exact dosage of the apple cider vinegar supplements.
Consult your healthcare professional to determine the right form and dosage of the supplement you should be taking.
Summary: There is no clarity on the actual consumption required of the supplements, but most manufacturers recommend 15-30 ml or 900-1500 mg of the supplement per day. It is best to have them under guided supervision after discussing the right dosage.
The Side Effects of using Apple Cider Vinegar Supplements
Apple cider vinegar has been widely used for thousands of years for its benefits. There are reportedly few side effects when consumed in a limit.
But it may cause some adverse reactions in people with existing conditions or when taken in higher doses:
- Esophageal Burns and Nausea: Apple cider capsules that contain a high level of acidic constituents may damage the esophageal lining and might result in burns in the esophagus (8). Not just esophageal burns, but apple cider vinegar may also result in digestive issues and increased nausea (9).
- Problems With Type 1 Diabetes: Apple cider vinegar slows down the speed of the food leaving the stomach for further digestion (10). For people having type 1 diabetes and gastroparesis, it might complicate existing issues (11). It may also interfere with diabetic and diuretic medication. Thus, people with diabetes should refrain from using apple cider vinegar supplements.
- Lowered Potassium Levels: Although no controlled study has been undertaken so far, a case that saw a drop in potassium levels and osteoporosis due to apple cider vinegar has been reported (12).
- Enamel Erosion: Furthermore, it is common knowledge that acidic compounds lead to erosion of the tooth enamel (13). Thus, a high dosage of apple cider vinegar, which contains acetic acid, might lead to enamel erosion (14).
- Throat and Skin Burns: Other isolated incidents show that the liquid has resulted in throat burns and skin burns (15, 16).
It needs to be noted that no controlled trials have been conducted so far to examine the adverse effects of sustained usage of apple cider vinegar supplements.
Most observations stated above have arrived upon the individual cases that have come to light. Thus, we need to conduct more in-depth studies to understand the side effects of these supplements better.
Summary: Apple cider vinegar might interact with certain drugs and existing problems to cause serious side effects. Thus, those under medical supervision should consult a doctor before opting to take the supplements. There’s a need for detailed study to have clarity about the potential side effects that these supplements could lead to.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which Form of Apple Cider Vinegar Should I Choose: Liquid, Pills, or Gummies?
The answer to this depends on your preference. If you are okay drinking the liquid form, that’s great. If not, you can always go for the capsules or gummies.
However, capsules are gummies that are more likely to have other ingredients like sugars or flavors. So be sure to look up the constituents of the supplement before deciding.
What Steps Can I Take to Reduce The Side Effects of Drinking Apple Cider Vinegar?
- You should start with lower doses and test your capacity by slowly increasing it. Even if it suits you, do not take more than 2 tbsp or 30 ml in a day.
- Dilute the vinegar in water or any other beverage before drinking it.
- Rinse your mouth thoroughly after drinking apple cider vinegar.
- Consult your doctor to determine if it could interfere with existing medication or lead to an allergic reaction.
- If you notice any problem after taking apple cider vinegar or its supplements, stop immediately and seek medical advice.
What Is The Best Time To Take Apple Cider Vinegar Supplements?
While some manufacturers advise taking supplements on an empty stomach in the morning, others suggest taking it during or after meals.
There is no evidence to suggest what is the best time to take apple cider vinegar or its supplements.
You should look at your schedule, and decide the best time with the help of your physician or doctor.
How Do I Choose The Right Apple Cider Supplement?
If you can take the taste and flavor of the liquid, go for it. Or else, choose tablets or gummies.
Once your budget is set, be sure to check the ingredients and the dosage per serving. Ensure that the level of acetic acid is not extremely high, and there are no harmful additives.
Be sure to check if there are additives, flavors, colors, or other allergens in the supplement. Similarly, if you have special dietary requirements, like vegetarian, vegan, or kosher, be sure to see if the product is certified accordingly.
Always compare different products before making your decision.
Can Pregnant, Or Lactating Women Consume Apple Cider Vinegar Supplements?
There are no specific studies available to determine the effects of consuming apple cider vinegar during pregnancy or lactation.
Since we do not know its impact, most apple cider vinegar supplement manufacturers caution pregnant and lactating women, children, and people with pre-existing conditions or taking medications to consult their doctor before taking the supplement.
It is best for pregnant and lactating women to avoid apple cider vinegar supplements.
The Final Note
Apple cider vinegar supplements provide several health benefits to us, but like any other product, they need to be taken in moderation and it might not have the same results for everyone.
Since there is no clarity on the precise dosage or long-term side effects, please consult a medical expert before taking apple cider vinegar or its supplements.
You must evaluate how you should include it in your diet, and what is the right amount to be taken every day.
Apple cider vinegar has stood the test of time, but you must thoroughly test any supplement before making it a part of your daily routine.
