Can Menopausal Women Take Apple Cider Vinegar For Hot Flashes?

This post may contain affiliate links from which i can earn a commission

Apple Cider Vinegar has a long list of health benefits especially for women who are going through perimenopause and menopause. For many years women have been using apple cider vinegar for hot flashes with great success. See below for dosage and other uses including making it easier to lose menopause weight.

It is that delicious almost sweet vinegar that works so well in savoury and sweet dishes. Considering its many health benefits it’s the only vinegar we use at home. Given its versatility as an ingredient in many delicious dishes apple cider vinegar is a great natural choice for reducing menopause symptoms.

What is apple cider vinegar?

Apple cider vinegar is mostly the juice that comes from crushing apples, but adding yeast turns the sugar in the juice into alcohol in a process called fermentation. Bacteria then turn the alcohol into acetic acid. That’s what gives vinegar its sour taste and strong smell.

B vitamins and Vitamin C

Both of these vitamins are found in ACV which is interesting because vitamin B6 for women in menopause may improve symptoms caused by decreasing serotonin levels which can cause loss of energy and depression.

What is the mother?

This is the cloud of murky substance seen floating in some bottles of apple cider vinegar. It’s rich in health-boosting natural protein, healthy bacteria and acetic acid. It doesn’t alter the taste of the vinegar.

Some say the “mother” is what makes ACV healthy.

The cloud forms naturally as raw organic vinegar ferments, much like the SCOBY or symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast in kombucha.  The ferment produces a murky, brownish vinegar.

What type of apple cider vinegar should you use?

Organic Apple Cider Vinegar

Organic Apple Cider Vinegar looks cloudy and has sediment at the bottom of the bottle. Non-organic has been pasturised which heats and distills it leaving it clear without the sediment. Pasturisation kills many of the naturally occurring bacteria, nutrients, and enzymes in the apple cider vinegar. These are what gives apple cider vinegar it’s health boosting properties so you definitely want to choose organic over non organic.

In order to make sure you are getting all of the good stuff, the vinegar you choose should be made of organically grown apples. It should also be unfiltered, unheated and unpasteurized with the acidity level of 5%. The top of the line would be Bragg Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar. This is possibly one of the most expensive but is worth it as other cheaper versions tend to have smaller mothers.

What are the benefits of apple cider vinegar as a natural remedy for menopause symptoms?

Reduces sugar cravings

Research suggests the Apple Cider Vinegar may improve insulin sensitivity which is beneficial to those with diabetes or just on the verge of diabetes who can benefit from lowering their blood sugar levels back down to the normal range.

Lowering blood sugar levels means you are less likely to crave sweet things. One of my tips for quitting sugar is to have something sour when you are having a craving as it takes the brain’s focus away from the craving. Apple Cider Vinegar would be the perfect thing for this.

Weight loss

Many women struggle with weight gain around their middle through perimenopause, menopause and midlife and this weight can be difficult to lose.

Understandably this is one of the most high researched areas of ACV. The research has shown that it helps weight loss by

• helping to lower blood sugar levels
• Reducing insulin levels
• Suppressing appetite
• Night Sweats

Reducing the Severity of Hot Flashes and Night Sweats

One of the most prickly symptoms that you can experience during menopause is hot flashes. Depending on the severity and intensity of the flashes they can have the tendency to negatively impact your life.

Drinking a combination of apple cider vinegar, baking soda, and water during the day could help clear toxins – so you don’t have to sweat them out at night.

Contributes to good gut health

The “mother” in Apple Cider Vinegar contains good bacteria or probiotics which can boost the microbiome of your gut which is home to most of your immune system. It also contains prebiotics from the apple. Prebiotics are the food for probiotics without which they wouldn’t grow. ACV truly is the full package.

Supports good bone health

Apple cider vinegar contains magnesium manganese, a mineral that helps maintain good bone mass. It prevents or slows the onset of osteoporosis which is especially important in menopause and on into post-menopause.

Menopausal Symptoms

There is some suggestion that perhaps apple cider vinegar helps to improve estrogen levels thereby improving menopause symptoms in women. The research and scientific evidence is thin at best.

However organic apple cider vinegar is a fermented product and so is helpful in improving digestion and with a healthy digestion and gut comes better hormone balance which in turn will reduce menopause symptoms.

Joint Pain

As previously mentions the acids in apple cider vinegar help absorb toxins and flush them out of the body. This is exciting if like me you suffer from joint pain. When consumed, apple cider vinegar can improve the pain and stiffness of arthritis by dissolving the acid crystals that build up in the joints.

Are There Any Side Effects to Taking Apple Cider Vinegar

If your drinking lots of vinegar and not diluting it enough there is a possibility that it could decay tooth enamel. This can be prevented by swilling your mouth out with a glass of water after taking the vinegar or brushing your teeth.

How should you take Apple Cider Vinegar?

The best way to take apple cider vinegar is to include it in your recipes. Of course heating it is going to kill all that lovely bacteria. But sauces and dressings can really benefit from a gorgeous slurp of this tasty amber liquid.

I sprinkle it on roasted vegetables as they come out of the oven and before drizzling with olive oil for wonderful warm winter salads.

When I make sauces they can often benefit from a slurp of acv at the end to round out the flavour. Especially in tomato based sauces.

Check below for 2 recipes in which you can use apple cider vinegar

Some women like to add it to water. 1 tablespoon in a glass of water can be quite refreshing. A note of caution. Remember ACV is acidic so it may be worth rinsing your mouth with fresh water to keep your teeth in good condition.

• Dilute 4 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar in water and drink immediately before a high-carb meal. This may improve sugar spikes.
• One tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with 100mls of water after dinner may improve symptoms of PCOS.
• 1-2 tablespoons in water daily may help increase weight loss.

Other Natural Remedies for Hot Flashes

Black Cohosh

This is mentioned often as a herb that will help with hot flushes but research results are mixed. Some women do report that it has helped them.

Try Delicious Switchel

This is a cooling tangy drink that has been around since the 17th Century. Switchel doesn’t rely on a live scoby such as Kombucha so it can be easily made at home. It is a rich source for potassium, so it’s a great alternative to the usual sugar loaded sports drinks, and will help maintain a good electrolyte balance in the body.

This delicous ginger infused drink is so good for your gut bacteria you’ll be pinging of the walls with the amazing health boost if offers.

Ingredients

• 2- to 3-inch piece fresh ginger skinned and sliced
• 2 1/4 cups water
• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 cup honey

Method

• Sparkling or still water to finish if you prefer a lighter flavour.
• Bring ginger and water to a boil. Remove from heat and sit for 10 minutes.
• In a large jar combine honey, vinegar and ginger mixture.
• Refridgerate and drink when cool. Add more honey as needed.
• The longer the ginger is left in the liquid the more gingery it is.
• Drink as is or add the still or sparkling water for a lighter flavour.
• In the summer add plenty of ice and a sprig of mint for something a bit fancy.

Apple cider vinegar for hot flashes

Take 2 tablesoons in water once or twice a day.

I recommend starting with smaller doses to check that the vinegar doesn’t upset your stomach. Build your dose up to what suits to a maximum of 2 tablespoons a day.

It’s such a simple, cheap, and low carb way to help manage your menopause and other symptoms, and it’s incredible for your overall health too.

As with anything, moderation is key. Consuming large amounts of ACV may be unsafe.

Apple Cider Vinegar Capsules

If you don’t like the taste of the Apple Cider Vinegar in Water then consider taking it in capsule form.

Start with taking just a apple cider vinegar capsule per day then gradually increase your dosage to two or three capsules a day, depending on the severity of your hot flashes.

As always when adding a new supplement to your regime watch for possible side effects such as headaches, stomach upset, changes in blood pressure levels, itchy skin and diarrhea.

As always if you are taking medication check with your doctor before taking supplements.

French Salad Dressing

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup of a good apple cider vinegar
• 1 good sized tsp of  Dijon mustard (I particularly like the grain mustard for this)
• 2/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• salt and pepper

Method:

• Blend all ingredients together until creamy. Or just plonk the ingredients into a jar with a good screw top lid and practice your maracas or just give it a good old shake.
• Serve on top of your favourite salad and Enjoy!

Super Easy Mayonnaise Made In A Jar

Ingredients:

• 1 large egg
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• salt and pepper
• 1 cup of oil
• 1 heaped tsp of dijon or grain mustard (optional)

Method:

• Break the egg into a jar
• Add lemon and salt and pepper
• Add dijon mustard or if using
• Add oil
• Gently put stick blender into the mixture and blend until the ingredients are all incorporated
• Go sit down and have a break and congratulate yourself on the time you have saved

Note: Use fresh herbs instead of mustard for a tasty green mayo.

And good news you can make your own skin toner:

Apple Cider Vinegar Skin Toner with Vitamin E

This will help keep you skin clean and clear while keeping your skin’s ph levels neutral

Ingredients

• 1 cup of apple cider vinegar
• 4 cups of water
• Approx 5 drops of vitamin E oil

Method:

1. Combine all ingredients
2. Transfer to a glass bottle
3. Store in a cool dark area

Healthy Herbal Tea

Add 1 Tbsp of Apple Cider Vinegar in 1 Cup of Chamomile Green Tea + 1 tsp of cinnamon powder + half lemon mix all ingredients and have this drink 30 mins before you go to bed at night.

In Conclusion – Does Apple Cider Vinegar Help Hot Flashes and Other Menopause Symptoms?

Apple cider vinegar for hot flushes has been shown to be effective by the many women who use it. Many studies have also shown it to also improve weight loss, digestion, cravings,  hot flushes, night sweats, and more. At the very least it is an amazing probiotic with a fabulous taste that enhances many dishes. Give it a go today!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Apple Cider Vinegar good for hot flashes?

Raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar aids the body in getting rid of toxins and so helps reduce perspiration and so reducing the intensity of hot flashes and night sweats.

What are the side effects of drinking apple cider vinegar?

ACV is an acid so alway rinse you mouth after drinking it so as to reduce the risk of weakening tooth enamal.

Some medications may interact with apple cider vinegar, including insulin, digoxin, and certain diuretics.

Can Apple Cider Vinegar help you lose weight?

There is no evidence to suggest ACV can directly help with losing weight. However, its positive effects on gut health, ridding the body of toxins, supressing appetite, lowering blood suger levels and helping with night sweats all combine to make weight loss easier to acheive.

PIN THIS: