Apple Cider Vinegar Pills: Health Benefits, Side Effects & Dosage 2025

For a long time, apple cider vinegar, or ACV, has been featured in health and wellness programs. This advertising is predominant in the media because of the numerous claims about the health benefits of apple cider vinegar.

While you can take apple cider vinegar in liquid form, there are other alternatives. One popular way to take apple cider vinegar is by consuming apple cider vinegar pills. Another alternative is taking apple cider vinegar capsules or gummies.

In reality, apple cider vinegar can have a robust, tangy taste. This strong taste is largely due to the presence of acetic acid.

So, if you find the robust taste of ACV to be too strong, you can opt to consume ACV pills. Sometimes even the smell of apple cider vinegar in liquid form can be overwhelming.

Before you consume apple cider vinegar pills, it’s important to note the concentration. Different brands have varying concentrations of ACV in their capsules. Plus, you should be aware of some of the additional ingredients that manufacturers add to ACV pills. Examples of additives include sodium starch glycolate, cayenne pepper, and modified cellulose.

Health Benefits Of Apple Cider Vinegar Pills

So, what are the health benefits of consuming these dietary supplements? Do apple cider vinegar pills work? Below are some of the health benefits of consuming ACV supplements.

Weight Loss

One of the most coveted health benefits of ACV is weight loss. The common belief is that consuming apple cider vinegar is good for people who want to manage body weight.

The best way to consume liquid ACV is by diluting it with water. After dilution, you can drink apple cider vinegar for weight loss.^[1] However, there’s still a need for extensive research on the health benefits of apple cider vinegar pills.

Most available studies are composed of small groups of people who show varying results. So, it’s impossible to ascertain that this product aids in weight loss.

Still, it’s worth noting that acetic acids, present in ACV, play a role in managing body weight. This happens when acetic acid reduces body fat accumulation.^[1] Acetic acid inhibits a process called lipogenesis, meaning specific enzymes responsible for creating fatty acids in the body are blocked from performing their functions, thus preventing the formation of fat tissue. 

Lowered Blood Sugar Levels

High blood sugar levels pose many health risks to your body. This is why it’s important to find ways to lower blood sugar levels to promote good health.

Taking apple cider vinegar pills is a good way to help reduce those blood sugar levels. This is especially possible due to the presence of acetic acid^[2] in dietary supplements. The acid influences the glycemic response and helps to burn fat by inhibiting lipogenesis.

Taking ACV pills should have the same effect as consuming apple cider vinegar in liquid form, but research on ACV in pill form is scarce.

Reduced Cholesterol Levels

An increase in body weight may increase your cholesterol levels. So, if you want to decrease your cholesterol levels, losing weight is a great first-line approach, and ACV can help you achieve your weight loss goals, thus decreasing your cholesterol levels.

Does apple cider vinegar lower cholesterol independently from weight loss?

Drinking apple cider vinegar in liquid form can help lower cholesterol levels.^[3] But, if the taste and smell are too much, you can take apple cider vinegar pills.

Again, ACV is proven to help with weight loss and lowering cholesterol levels due to acetic acid. So far, acetic acid has shown the capability to burn fat in animal studies.^[4] It’s therefore important to carry out more research that includes human studies to ascertain this health benefit.

Help With Acid Reflux

Acid reflux is a condition that affects millions of people. This condition can be uncomfortable and needs fast relief.

ACV can be a good home remedy for this condition, but there’s no research to prove that this works. The general thought is apple cider vinegar balances stomach pH and offers relief. Folks take ACV pills to stop the burning sensation, but the results may vary. For one, some find the acidic nature of ACV to cause more irritation and discomfort than it does relief.

If you have acid reflux, other more reliable solutions offer relief. This includes taking antacids,^[5] proton pump inhibitors, and H2 receptor blockers.

Boosts Skin Health

Taking apple cider vinegar pills can also be good for your skin. In fact, many skin home remedies recommend using liquid ACV as the main therapeutic agent. It helps soothe inflamed skin tissues when you have issues such as eczema^[6] leading to dry, inflamed skin.

You can use the pills if you prefer not to use liquid apple cider vinegar. Simply dissolve the ACV pills in water to make a paste and apply them to the affected area. The powder in the capsule or the pill contains acetic acid, improving the skin’s protective barrier.^[6]

However, it’s worth noting that apple cider vinegar results can vary. Not every person who uses ACV will have the same results. Also, it’s important to consult your doctor before using apple cider vinegar on your skin.

Apple Cider Vinegar Pills Side Effects

Apple cider vinegar does have numerous health benefits, but you also need to pay attention to the side effects.

Often, short-term consumption of apple cider vinegar pills won’t cause any harm. However, adverse reactions can happen if you consume ACV pills for a long time. The same happens when taking liquid ACV over long periods.

Most likely, you will start exhibiting symptoms of throat irritation and indigestion. This is because of the acetic acid, which can be corrosive. At the same time, consuming apple cider vinegar for months and months can lead to low potassium levels, which can affect your heart rhythm, among other effects.

One woman^[7] suffered from an esophageal injury after taking apple cider vinegar tablets. One ACV pill got stuck in her throat, causing swelling and irritation. While the pills may not cause tooth erosion, they can still cause esophageal burning, something to keep in mind.

Another lady had been consuming 250 milliliters of ACV daily for six years. She ended up hospitalized for osteoporosis^[8] and low potassium levels. Thus, overconsumption of ACV can adversely affect bone mineral density over time.

The acetic acid in apple cider vinegar has some health benefits but can also be harmful. The acid can erode tooth enamel,^[9] especially if you choose not to dilute liquid ACV. You should never take an undiluted ACV. Therefore, you must cease taking ACV if you experience tooth erosion.

Apple Cider Vinegar Pills Dosage

It’s important to pick out the right dietary supplement when taking apple cider vinegar. And you must remember the right apple cider vinegar pill dosage. According to Consumer Reports,^[10] 1,200-1,600 milligrams is an effective ACV dose in pill form, and it should be sourced from the Mother, a colony of beneficial bacteria that is the source of protein and pectin, and contain a good percentage of acetic acid (5-6%).

So, how many apple cider vinegar pills should you take a day? Always check the dosage recommendation on the bottle when you purchase the ACV supplements. The manufacturer indicates the proper dosage and other guidelines you must observe.

If you take liquid ACV,^[11] it’s good to stick to one to two tablespoons per day. Ensure you dilute the ACV in a glass of water and drink it with a straw to protect your teeth. Avoid taking undiluted ACV since it can lead to throat irritation or esophageal burning.

One important point to note when comparing apple cider vinegar pills vs. liquid is that the Food and Drug Administration doesn’t regulate supplements, including ACV. So, always be cautious when taking them, especially for health benefits such as losing weight.

Stick to ACV pills whose manufacturers ensure products undergo third-party testing, and provide detailed results and reports.

The Bottom Line

Is apple cider vinegar good for you? Apple cider vinegar is a legend when it comes to home remedies. People prefer it because of the different health benefits. Taking ACV can help you lose weight, lower blood sugar levels, and relieve acid reflux.

However, it’s worth noting that there are not enough human studies to ascertain these health benefits. Some animal studies do show positive results.

You can consume liquid apple cider vinegar or opt for ACV pills. Either way, you enjoy the benefits of acetic acid.

It’s important to note crucial apple cider vinegar side effects before taking the supplements. ACV can cause issues such as indigestion and low potassium levels. Consuming liquid ACV can erode teeth enamel as well. Consuming ACV in pill form should not cause tooth erosion.

Since the FDA doesn’t regulate ACV pills, always look out for brands that carry out third-party testing. They provide assurances that the products are safe to consume and contain the amount of product on the label. Consult a registered dietitian before using the ACV pills.

---