How Much Apple Cider Vinegar Should I Take Daily?
There is no officially established daily dose of apple cider vinegar.
Human studies have commonly tested approximately 1–2 tablespoons of vinegar per day, but that does not mean everyone should take that amount. The appropriate amount depends on the product, your reason for using it, your tolerance and your health.
For someone who chooses to drink apple cider vinegar, a cautious practical approach is to begin with 1 teaspoon diluted in a full glass of water and consumed with food. Never drink apple cider vinegar straight, and do not exceed the directions on the product label.
Quick Answer
- Conservative starting amount: 1 teaspoon, or 5 milliliters
- Amount frequently used in studies: 1–2 tablespoons, or 15–30 milliliters per day
- Dilution: Mix it into at least one full glass of water
- Timing: Taking it with a meal may be easier on the stomach
- Important: Research amounts are not official medical dosing recommendations
Apple cider vinegar is a food product—not an approved treatment or replacement for prescribed medication.
Is There an Official Daily Dose of Apple Cider Vinegar?
No government agency or major medical organization has established a recommended daily allowance for apple cider vinegar.
The familiar recommendation of “one or two tablespoons a day” comes largely from amounts used in clinical studies and traditional practices. It should not be interpreted as a medically established dose.
According to the FDA’s definition, cider vinegar is produced through the alcoholic and subsequent acetous fermentation of apple juice. Natural vinegars generally contain at least 4 grams of acetic acid per 100 milliliters. However, acidity and serving instructions can differ among products. Read the FDA’s vinegar definitions.
Always check the label before deciding how much to use.
How Much Apple Cider Vinegar Has Research Studied?
The amounts investigated vary by study.
A frequently cited 12-week trial involving 155 adults tested beverages containing either 15 or 30 milliliters of vinegar per day—equivalent to approximately one or two tablespoons. The researchers reported changes in several body-composition measurements, but this study involved vinegar and does not establish an ideal daily ACV dose for the general public. Read the study on PubMed.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials found possible effects on certain blood-glucose and lipid measurements. However, the included studies differed in their doses, durations and participant populations. The authors also noted limitations in the available evidence. Review the meta-analysis on PubMed.
The important distinction is this:
An amount used in research is not automatically a recommended dose.
A Practical Way to Start
If you and your healthcare professional decide that drinking ACV is appropriate, consider starting below the quantities commonly used in studies.
Step 1: Begin with one teaspoon
Mix approximately 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar into a full glass of water.
Beginning with a smaller quantity allows you to assess its taste and whether it causes nausea, reflux, stomach discomfort or throat irritation.
Step 2: Take it with food
There is no universally proven “best time” to drink apple cider vinegar. Taking diluted ACV with or immediately before a meal may be easier to tolerate than consuming it on an empty stomach.
Avoid sipping it continuously throughout the day. Repeated acid exposure increases contact with the teeth.
Step 3: Increase only when appropriate
Some people eventually use one tablespoon per serving, while others remain at a teaspoon or use ACV only in food.
There is no reason to force yourself toward a larger amount merely because a study used it. More vinegar does not necessarily create more benefit, and it can increase the risk of side effects.
How Should Apple Cider Vinegar Be Diluted?
A simple diluted ACV drink can contain:
- 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
- At least 8 ounces of water
- Optional lemon, honey or another ingredient for flavor
Lemon is also acidic, so adding it does not reduce the drink’s potential effect on tooth enamel. Honey adds sugar and calories, which may matter depending on your dietary goals.
Never swallow ACV as an undiluted “shot.” Dilution reduces its concentration and makes it easier to drink, although the finished beverage remains acidic.
Can I Take Apple Cider Vinegar Every Day?
Some people include small amounts of apple cider vinegar in their daily diets without obvious problems. Others experience digestive discomfort, reflux, throat irritation or tooth sensitivity.
The long-term safety of taking concentrated ACV drinks every day has not been established as thoroughly as many online claims imply.
Daily use should therefore be approached as a personal dietary choice—not a requirement for good health. You can also use apple cider vinegar less frequently in:
- Salad dressings
- Marinades
- Sauces
- Pickled vegetables
- Soups and stews
- Diluted drinks
Using ACV as a food ingredient may be more enjoyable than treating it like a supplement.
For a broader evidence-based overview, read What Does Apple Cider Vinegar Do for Your Body? and Is Apple Cider Vinegar Good for You?.
What Happens If You Take Too Much?
Larger or poorly diluted quantities can increase the likelihood of:
- Nausea
- Upset stomach
- Acid reflux
- Throat irritation
- Tooth-enamel erosion
- Delayed stomach emptying
- Possible medication interactions
- Changes in potassium levels in susceptible individuals
A small study involving people with type 1 diabetes and diabetic gastroparesis found that vinegar further reduced the rate of stomach emptying. Anyone with gastroparesis should discuss ACV with a clinician before using it regularly. Read the study on PubMed.
Stop using it and seek medical advice if you develop persistent pain, difficulty swallowing, repeated vomiting or other concerning symptoms.
How Can You Protect Your Teeth?
Vinegar contains acid, and repeated exposure to acidic beverages can permanently erode tooth enamel.
The American Dental Association recommends limiting prolonged contact with acidic drinks, avoiding swishing them around the mouth and rinsing with water afterward. A straw positioned behind the front teeth may also reduce direct exposure. See the ADA’s dental-erosion guidance.
For better dental protection:
- Dilute the vinegar
- Drink it with a meal
- Do not swish it in your mouth
- Avoid slowly sipping it for hours
- Consider using a straw
- Rinse your mouth with plain water afterward
- Wait before brushing immediately after an acidic drink
The ADA advises waiting approximately one hour before brushing following acidic beverages so saliva has time to help neutralize the acid. Read the ADA’s guidance on acidic beverages.
Who Should Ask a Healthcare Professional First?
Speak with a qualified healthcare professional before taking apple cider vinegar regularly if you:
- Use insulin or glucose-lowering medication
- Take diuretics or medication that affects potassium
- Have diabetes
- Have gastroparesis
- Have chronic reflux or swallowing problems
- Have kidney disease
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Are preparing for surgery
- Have another condition requiring dietary restrictions
ACV should not be used to change a medication dose or replace prescribed treatment. Readers interested in its possible effect on glucose should review Apple Cider Vinegar and Blood Sugar Control: What the Research Actually Shows.
How Much Fairchild’s Apple Cider Vinegar Should I Use?
Fairchild’s is a full-strength, raw and unfiltered apple cider vinegar made without added water. That description does notmean it should be swallowed undiluted.
Follow the directions printed on your bottle and dilute it before drinking. New users can begin with a smaller amount rather than immediately using the largest listed serving.
You can explore the available bottle sizes in the Fairchild’s Apple Cider Vinegar Collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar a day too much?
Two tablespoons, or about 30 milliliters, has been used in some studies. It is not an officially recommended dose and may be too much for someone who is new to ACV, has a sensitive stomach or takes certain medications.
Can I drink apple cider vinegar twice a day?
Some research quantities have been divided across multiple meals. Splitting an amount may improve tolerance, but it also creates another period of acid exposure for the teeth. Follow the product label and ask a healthcare professional if you are uncertain.
Is one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar enough?
One teaspoon is a reasonable conservative starting amount for assessing tolerance. There is no established minimum amount that everyone must consume to receive a benefit.
Should I take apple cider vinegar in the morning or at night?
No strong evidence proves that morning or nighttime use is superior. Taking it close to bedtime may worsen reflux in some people. With-meal use is generally more practical.
Should I drink apple cider vinegar on an empty stomach?
You do not have to. Taking it on an empty stomach may cause nausea, burning or reflux in susceptible people. Diluting it and consuming it with food may be easier to tolerate.
Do I need apple cider vinegar every day?
No. ACV is optional. It can be used occasionally in meals or drinks without becoming part of a daily regimen.
The Bottom Line
There is no official answer that applies to everyone.
Studies have often used one to two tablespoons of vinegar per day, but these are research quantities—not universal medical recommendations. If you choose to drink apple cider vinegar, begin conservatively, dilute it thoroughly, take it with food, protect your teeth and never treat it as a substitute for medical care.
For more evidence-based guides, recipes and product information, visit The ACV Library.