Sunday, November 24, 2013

Does Drinking Cider Vinegar Help a Raspy Dry Throat?

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Feb 21, 2012 | By Brynne Chandler Photo Caption Cider vinegar has been used as a home remedy for centuries. Photo Credit Hemera Technologies/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images

Cider vinegar is reputed to cure many things from sore throat to acne. There is some truth to the claims of its health benefits, but this only applies to the nutrients found in the sediment of raw apple cider vinegar. Cider vinegar is high in acetic acid, which can burn your throat if taken undiluted, so to treat a sore throat it must be well diluted.

A dry, raspy throat can have several different causes, from the benign to the more serious, according to NYU Langone Medical Center. Benign causes include clearing your throat too often, being in a very dry climate, mild dehydration and straining your vocal chords. Less benign causes are acid reflux and a growth in the throat; if your dry throat occurs with no obvious cause and continues for more than three days, consult your physician.

Proponents of cider vinegar are usually referring to raw apple cider vinegar. This is made from pressed apples, generally organic ones. The resulting pulpy liquid is strained and fermented, resulting in a dark and cloudy vinegar. The sediment at the bottom of raw apple cider vinegar is called the "mother," and it contains high levels of acetic acid, magnesium, potassium and malic acid. The clear cider vinegar you see in the grocery store has been pasteurized, removing many of these nutrients.

The traditional apple cider home remedy for a dry, raspy throat is to dilute 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in about 4 ounces of water. Stir it well and drink it once an hour for seven hours. There is no medical proof that this works, though the vitamin C in cider vinegar is known to support the immune system.

Complementary and alternative cures and home remedies can be helpful in easing symptoms, but it is never wise to diagnose or treat yourself. A dry and raspy throat can be one sign of a more serious condition, so it’s best to consult with your physician rather than trying to diagnose or treat a dry, raspy throat on your own.

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