Apple cider vinegar and gout have an odd relationship. For one, gout is caused by something we know is acidic—uric acid. With this, we question why an acidic substance—apple cider vinegar—allegedly cures it or treats and controls its symptoms.

The truth is, according to this article, taking apple cider vinegar for gout is not, to say the least, medically proven. It goes on to say that vinegar is “a harmless, but unproven, arthritis remedy.”

However, we cannot deny the hundreds, if not thousands, of people that swear by the alternative form of treatment. People from all over the world claim that their gout symptoms are controlled or limited when they take of apple cider vinegar regularly; gout is known as a chronic ailment. Therefore, if it is indeed harmless, it should come as good advice that everyone affected should try it at least once. After all, apple cider vinegar is cheap, not to mention widely available so logistics should not be a problem.

So, how does one take apple cider vinegar for gout? We all know that most apple cider vinegars are sold as concentrates, and drinking those straight is probably not the brightest of ideas.

To take apple cider vinegar for gout, you would need to transform it into a drinkable mixture. Mix about two tablespoons of organic apple cider vinegar—preferably with the mother—with a glass of water. The mother of vinegar is the cobweb-like soot that usually settles at the bottom. People claim the mother contains much of its “power.” This, however, is not proven as well.

From hereon you have a mixture, but, even if it is diluted with water, it is still too sour for most of us. If you can take it as is, no problem, but for most common  folk, mixing it with honey gives it a much needed plus in the flavor department. Honey is recommended because it is all-natural and is known to treat an ailment or two as well.

Now that you have a decent drink, start taking this at a recommended starting dosage of twice daily. One in the morning and one before retiring to bed. Apple cider vinegar does not act fast and effects only start to show up in about two weeks. While a uric acid test should give you an accurate report if the cider is indeed working, most can actually say just by gut feeling if their uric acid levels are normal. If the twice-a-day dosage does not show any improvement, you can move on to the maximum recommended dosage of thrice a day, preferably after every meal. If this still does not work, then I guess it’s time to move on to other forms of treatment.