If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind. Bloating is a condition in which your belly feels tight or blown up like a balloon. Some people with bloating experience abdominal distension , which is when your stomach seems to be sticking out more than usual.

Bloat also often goes hand in hand with gas. Several different gastrointestinal problems can cause bloating. One of the most common causes of bloat is constipation.

When stool gets backed up in the intestines it begins to ferment, causing gases to be released. These gases can become trapped in the stomach and intestines, causing bloat. Some people are more sensitive to abdominal gas than others. People with both irritable bowel syndrome IBS and stress or anxiety are particularly sensitive to bloating.

Gastroparesis is another digestive condition that can lead to bloating. Gastroparesis is a condition that delays stomach emptying. When the stomach empties more slowly than normal, it can cause bloating, nausea, and constipation. For years, people have been using apple cider vinegar ACV to treat digestive issues like gas and bloating.

ACV is often touted as a cure-all capable of treating everything from acne to cancer. Unfortunately, many of these claims are exaggerated or even completely false. In fact, the only clinical study ever completed on ACV and digestive problems found that ACV can actually impair gastric emptying.

The small study, conducted in 10 patients with type 1 diabetes and diabetic gastroparesis, found that ACV slowed down, rather than sped up, gastric emptying.

When gastric emptying slows, it takes the muscles in the stomach and intestines longer to push stool out of the body. The longer it remains in the intestines, the more gas it produces. Therefore, ACV could potentially make your symptoms of gas and bloating worse.

If you have low stomach acid, for example, you may experience bloating due to bacteria buildup in your stomach. Because ACV may help increase stomach acid and may also be antimicrobial in nature, it could theoretically help. There are many ways to incorporate ACV into a healthy diet.

Some people drink ACV straight, but others prefers to mix it with water or other liquids. To reap the many benefits of ACV, consider taking about 1 tablespoon once or twice per day.

It forms naturally during the fermentation process. Before drinking raw, unfiltered vinegar, shake it thoroughly to disperse the mother. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons to 1 cup of water. Apple cider vinegar is generally considered safe.

Avoid contact with your teeth and rinse your mouth after. In one case, prolonged exposure to an ACV tablet caused burns to the esophagus. Prolonged topical exposure has burned skin. Apple cider vinegar may have many health benefits, but its use against bloat is still waiting for research to support this age-old practice.

There may be other, more effective natural remedies for gas and bloat. If you have ongoing issues with bloating, talk to your doctor about it. Sometimes bloating is caused by a serious condition.

Your doctor can determine a diagnosis and treatment to help you find relief. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

Bloating after eating is a common occurrence. A urinary tract infection UTI is an infection in any part of your urinary system, including your kidneys, bladder, urethra, and ureters. UTIs can be…. Gassy poop can happen when you're backed up from constipation, have diarrhea caused by food intolerance or infection, or have eaten certain foods.

There are several other prolapse symptoms. Numerous issues may develop in the gallbladder. While gallbladder problems can range in severity, some may cause feelings of bloating. The researchers found that apple cider vinegar showed promising antimicrobial effects, but acknowledged that more research is necessary to determine how beneficial it might be for various health conditions.

As there is very limited clinical evidence to support the use of apple cider vinegar as a treatment, there are no guidelines on dosage. Many people who use apple cider vinegar will drink a small amount on a regular basis when they are constipated. People should consult a doctor before starting to consume more apple cider vinegar than they would as part of their regular diet.

Some proponents of apple cider vinegar suggest mixing about a tablespoon of the vinegar with a cup of warm water and drinking the mixture up to twice a day to relieve constipation.

People who experience adverse side effects after trying apple cider vinegar should avoid having it again. Apple cider vinegar can interact with various medications and make them less effective. Therefore, people taking medication should always speak to a doctor before using this remedy.

Apple cider vinegar is acidic, which means that it could irritate the stomach, especially in people who have an ulcer or a sensitive stomach.

Apple cider vinegar may cause additional side effects if it reacts with a medication. People using other medicines should not try apple cider vinegar without discussing it with a doctor first. The two main causes of constipation are dehydration and inadequate fiber in the diet.

Constipation can also arise as a side effect of certain medical conditions and medications. There are also several potential remedies that people may want to try at home to treat constipation.

However, as with apple cider vinegar, there is a lack of research to support some of these remedies. People can also use over-the-counter OTC laxatives that research has proven to reduce constipation, including magnesium citrate. It is best to consult a doctor before using OTC laxatives.

There is insufficient research on apple cider vinegar to confirm its safety and effectiveness as a treatment for constipation. Some people may find that drinking diluted apple cider vinegar helps them have a bowel movement, but research does not support the effectiveness of this remedy.

People can try a wide range of other natural remedies instead of apple cider vinegar. These include drinking more water and increasing the amount of fiber in the diet. People who are interested in trying apple cider vinegar to reduce constipation should consult their doctor.

Constipation can cause bloating and discomfort, but some home remedies may help. Learn more about teas for constipation here. Eating certain foods can increase the frequency of bowel movements and relieve constipation.

Read more about possible foods, alternatives, and more. In this article, we look at the evidence behind the claims that apple cider vinegar could help with weight loss.

We also examine the other possible…. My podcast changed me Can 'biological race' explain disparities in health? Why Parkinson's research is zooming in on the gut Tools General Health Drugs A-Z Health Hubs Health Tools Find a Doctor BMI Calculators and Charts Blood Pressure Chart: Ranges and Guide Breast Cancer: Self-Examination Guide Sleep Calculator Quizzes RA Myths vs Facts Type 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood Sugar Ankylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or Fiction Connect About Medical News Today Who We Are Our Editorial Process Content Integrity Conscious Language Newsletters Sign Up Follow Us.

Medical News Today. Health Conditions Health Products Discover Tools Connect. Can apple cider vinegar help relieve constipation? Medically reviewed by Gerhard Whitworth, R.

Overview How to use Is it safe? Side effects Other natural remedies Outlook Apple cider vinegar is a popular home remedy for various health issues.

Women had much higher-than-recommended body mass index. Scores for constipation were high. The reduction in constipation was of clinical interest 2. However, there were no statistically significant differences in glycated haemoglobin, cholesterol, HDL, LDL or triglyceride levels.

Patients with problems of constipation prior to the intervention experienced much better bowel habits and relief of their constipation.

Conclusion: AV lower the constipation problems faced by patients with schizophrenia treated with clozapine. Further research, repeating this pilot study with a meaningfully larger sample size and randomized with placebo, is needed.

Keywords: Apple vinegar; Clozapine; constipation; prevention; schizophrenia. Abstract Purpose: Clozapine is one of the drugs that cause the highest level of weight gain. But unfortunately, these vinegar and constipation theories don't hold water. In fact, the health benefits behind this seemingly innocent home remedy "have never been tested or confirmed in the medical literature," Dr.

Naymagon says. The takeaway: While some people claim that apple cider vinegar does help with constipation, there's little scientific evidence to back it up, so you're better off trying other, safer remedies more on that soon.

Just as there's no evidence to support the use of apple cider vinegar for constipation and bloating, there's also no science to suggest that ACV commonly leads to constipation. Apple cider vinegar has its benefits , and eating small amounts of it in recipes like salad dressings or marinades is typically safe.

But if you guzzle larger doses of acidic ACV along with similar substances, like white vinegar for constipation, it can lead to the following side effects, Dr. Naymagon says:. Apple cider vinegar can also interact with certain medications like insulin and diuretics, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

If you're taking either of these medicines, talk to your doctor about whether any amount of ACV is safe for you. Constipation occurs when bowel movements become less frequent or more difficult to pass, and can lead to symptoms like nausea, stomach pain and bloating, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Temporary constipation can be the result of:. Chronic constipation, however, can be the result of blockages or tears in the color or rectum, according to the Mayo Clinic. Certain types of cancer — like colon, rectal or abdominal cancer — can lead to this problem.

Nerve or muscle damage from other conditions like multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease or a spinal cord injury can also make passing stool more difficult, per the Mayo Clinic. Fiber promotes good digestion and regular trips to the bathroom. Per the Dietary Guidelines for Americans , adults should aim to eat the following amount of fiber every day:.

Even though using apple cider vinegar as a laxative isn't the solution for your blocked-up bowels, there are other natural remedies to try. Instead of drinking ACV for constipation, here are some of Dr. Naymagon's recommendations for safe and effective fixes:.

For an occasional mild case of constipation, look to good ol' prunes, oats or flaxseed for quick relief. And if these interventions don't do the trick, "supplementing the diet with over-the-counter fiber supplements is a reasonable next step," Dr.

Even though drinking ACV for constipation isn't a proven fix, that doesn't mean you have to put up with the discomfort of constipation, especially if it becomes more frequent or severe, Dr. They can help you determine the best treatment for your digestive discomfort.

And if other symptoms accompany constipation, like stomach pain, blood in the stool or a swollen belly, get help right away. Is this an emergency? Health Digestive Conditions Digestive Health. Can Apple Cider Vinegar Relieve Constipation? By Jennifer Kelly Geddes Updated May 20,