The Great Apple Cider Vinegar Plague of 2012

[drewtwo99]

Dear Diary,

It has been two weeks now and I fear things have taken a turn for the worse. Crew change just happened once again out here on the Carolyn Chouest, and Joe has gotten at least two more people hooked on drinking apple cider vinegar, as some sort of cure-all. I even heard some guy went off of his blood pressure medication because the vinegar has cured him! People claim to be losing weight, sleeping better, feeling healthier, and who knows what else. They are imbibing the vinegar by the bottle. He must have brought at least 20 gallons of the stuff out here with him, and is pushing it on everyone.

I used to think that the pungent, odoriferous scent of apple cider vinegar was once oddly pleasant. No longer! It now surrounds me like a miasmatic plague. Everyone around me is drinking it daily, and I can smell it everywhere. I thought I was going insane at first, smelling some terrible body odor that no one else was seeming to complain about. Was it me? How could it be!? ...And then I realized it was the vinegar.

I fear my only reprieve of the smell will be in 2 weeks when I get back onshore and head to Houston, whereupon I will promptly throw out my entire supply of apple cider vinegar. Even typing the words brings a nauseating, churning feeling to my stomach and my throat. It's worse than when the smell of our raw sewage wafts up out of the drains when the wind catches the ship's exterior vents and fills every room and hallway with the smell of shit and piss. I actually welcome those moments now, instead of loathe them, for at least for a few moments I'm smelling something else other than apple cider vinegar induced body odor.

In case I don't make it out of here alive, overcome with these hideous acidic odors omnipresently surrounding me, I hope someone else finds this entry and learns of my unfortunate fate. Please, for the sake of your loved ones, your friends, your families, and even your enemies, PLEASE, do not drink apple cider vinegar. It won't cure all your ills. Unless of course your ills involve keeping people away who have a sense of smell.

I fear for the future of our country, nay, the world, should this plague ever reach the mainland...

[ugly ripe tomato]

I wonder if he learned it from a local mom who followed one wierd old trick that "they" don't want you to know about.

Shame he didn't jump on the acai berry bandwagon; they'd at least smell better.

[even sven]

I love apple cider vinegar.

I'm not a big fan of sweet drinks, and there really aren't a lot of options for people like me to have something cool and refreshing that isn't water- we are pretty much stuck with lemon water or iced tea. But apple cider vinegar is a flavorful way to mix it up.

[voltaire]

My sister has been into that for a couple years now, but it's only a tablespoon at a time. Do some people actually drink a whole glass, or something? <puke smiley>

[elbows]

Well, Apple Cider Vinegar came very highly recommended to me by the Dr who did my sinus surgery. After assuring me it would not cure cancer, or bring peace to the middle east, he said it would thin mucus.

Which is very helpful in clearing a cold if you have stuffed head issues. Especially if you have misshapened sinus cavities, as many people do. Instead of pharmaceuticals for head cold, its proven extremely effective for me. It's a lot cheaper and works way better, mostly because it's really aiding, your body's efforts, to fight off the cold, by improving drainage.

I've never noticed a body odour, but then I don't drink it every day, just when I'm having a cold!

[Vinyl Turnip]

Originally Posted by ugly ripe tomato

Shame he didn't jump on the acai berry bandwagon; they'd at least smell better.

I loved açaí na tigela when I was introduced to it in Brazil, and was nonplussed when açaí was introduced in the U.S. as the MLM-hyped quackster's panacea of the month.

Don't buy the magical health claims for a minute, but I sure enjoy eating it in its traditional slushy form.

[ugly ripe tomato]

Originally Posted by Vinyl Turnip

I loved açaí na tigela when I was introduced to it in Brazil, and was nonplussed when açaí was introduced in the U.S. as the MLM-hyped quackster's panacea of the month.

Don't buy the magical health claims for a minute, but I sure enjoy eating it in its traditional slushy form.

That looks yummy.

[Jackmannii]

It has always amazed me how so many people can fall for the idea of apple cider vinegar as a cure-all.

Apparently this belief got a major boost a few decades ago when a certain Dr. Jarvis had a top-selling book about it as a folk remedy. There are devotees who swear to its magical powers. According to one of my favorite sites devoted to the subject, ACV is good for:

ARTHRITIS, ASTHMA, BLOOD LOSS, COLITIS, COUGHS, DIARRHEA, DIZZINESS, EAR DISCHARGE, ECZEMA, EYES (TIRED AND SORE), FATIGUE, FOOD POISONING, HAIR LOSS, HAYFEVER, HEADACHES, HEARING, HEARTBURN, HEMORRHAGES, HICCOUGHS (HICCUPS), HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, INSOMNIA, KIDNEYS AND BLADDER, MENSTRUATION, MUCOUS DISCHARGES, NAIL PROBLEMS, NERVOUSNESS, NOSE BLEED, NOSE - STUFFY, OBESITY, SHINGLES, SORE THROAT, TEETH, VARICOSE VEINS, WEIGHT GAIN, WEIGHT LOSS.

I love that it is great for either weight gain or weight loss, whichever you like.

And of course, ACV is an essential ingredient in the formula for killing "the cancer fungus".

You'd think simple cheap generic vinegar would be good enough for a supercure, but oh no, it has to be apple cider vinegar, even better with impurities floating on top.

As pseudo-cures go, at least ACV is not very expensive and unlikely to harm you unless you guzzle lots of the stuff and the weak acid eats away at your esophageal lining (the body odor thing is something I had not considered, but sounds eccch).

[Zsofia]

Originally Posted by elbows

Well, Apple Cider Vinegar came very highly recommended to me by the Dr who did my sinus surgery. After assuring me it would not cure cancer, or bring peace to the middle east, he said it would thin mucus.

Which is very helpful in clearing a cold if you have stuffed head issues. Especially if you have misshapened sinus cavities, as many people do. Instead of pharmaceuticals for head cold, its proven extremely effective for me. It's a lot cheaper and works way better, mostly because it's really aiding, your body's efforts, to fight off the cold, by improving drainage.

I've never noticed a body odour, but then I don't drink it every day, just when I'm having a cold!

How much do you take?

(Translated from: "Ow buch do you dake?" Good god, sudden sinus infection.)

[ugly ripe tomato]

Originally Posted by Cancer Fungus Website

Below is a spiritually channeled message from God/the Universal Christ Mind that details how Apple Cider Vinegar and Lemon Juice can kill the fungus that causes cancer within the body. This communication reveals that there are seven types of fungus commonly diagnosed as cancer.

Wow, it's the Seven Deadly Shrooms!

[Chefguy]

I like a bit of it in my deviled eggs and potato salad, but drinking it is just falling for somebody's hype.

[Filbert]

Dear god, that 'Cancer Fungus' site recommends up to 30 lemons a day...

Just... how?

I also like the comment:

Originally Posted by Mad people

A few months ago as the summer surf season started in hawaii, I suffered from skin cancer on my chest so badly that I had to try to treat it with aloe vera.

[drewtwo99]

I should try to turn these people onto the lemon diet instead. At least everything would smell like Pledge then!

Could you imagine me showing up to the ship with a big sack of lemons to dole out throughout my hitch? Hillarious!


Also, Joe is selling these bottles for 5 bucks a pop to everyone on our ship. He says he pays 5.69 for them, but he believes so strongly in the power of it, he's willing to sell it at a discount.

[elbows]

How much do you take?

(Translated from: "Ow buch do you dake?" Good god, sudden sinus infection.)

1/2 oz to 1 ounce, twice a day! Be prepared it will clear your head quite quickly. You can mix it with something (like syrup) or just shoot it back like a shot of tequila. Do brush your teeth after, as it's hard on tooth enamel.

[aruvqan]

And for those following this epic, and would like to track the Caroline Chouest in real time, click here and then on the lat/long map link ...

Sure you don't want to jump ship onto the Nicholas P Callais? At least she didn't just hook around back onto her reciprical heading ...

[detop]

Originally Posted by Jackmannii

<snip>ARTHRITIS, ASTHMA, BLOOD LOSS, COLITIS, COUGHS, DIARRHEA, DIZZINESS, EAR DISCHARGE, ECZEMA, EYES (TIRED AND SORE), FATIGUE, FOOD POISONING, HAIR LOSS, HAYFEVER, HEADACHES, HEARING, HEARTBURN, HEMORRHAGES, HICCOUGHS (HICCUPS), HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, INSOMNIA, KIDNEYS AND BLADDER, MENSTRUATION, MUCOUS DISCHARGES, NAIL PROBLEMS, NERVOUSNESS, NOSE BLEED, NOSE - STUFFY, OBESITY, SHINGLES, SORE THROAT, TEETH, VARICOSE VEINS, WEIGHT GAIN, WEIGHT LOSS.</snip>

Can't be that good. It doesn't even deal with the heartbreak of psoriasis.

[minionkat]

Originally Posted by drewtwo99

Could you imagine me showing up to the ship with a big sack of lemons to dole out throughout my hitch? Hillarious!

As long as you wear a t-shirt that says "Life" while you do it.

[Capt Kirk]

Originally Posted by aruvqan

And for those following this epic, and would like to track the Caroline Chouest in real time, click here and then on the lat/long map link ...

Sure you don't want to jump ship onto the Nicholas P Callais? At least she didn't just hook around back onto her reciprical heading ...

wow cool site I had no idea it existed, sorry about the smell
Landlubber Capt Kirk

[drewtwo99]

Originally Posted by aruvqan

And for those following this epic, and would like to track the Caroline Chouest in real time, click here and then on the lat/long map link ...

Sure you don't want to jump ship onto the Nicholas P Callais? At least she didn't just hook around back onto her reciprical heading ...

Oh Crap! You guys know where I work now <_<...

Also... that's all we do. Drive back and forth, back and forth, back and forth... for months and months

[Rushgeekgirl]

My co-worker has been hitting it lately. "It draws the fat right out of your body!"

Sure it does, dear.

[drewtwo99]

Originally Posted by Rushgeekgirl

My co-worker has been hitting it lately. "It draws the fat right out of your body!"

Sure it does, dear.

Yeah, it's one thing to think that though, and another thing to go off of your blood pressure medication because you feel better. I am worried for people honestly... I didn't realize so many people I worked with were suckers for this sort of thing.

[svd678]

No one seems to notice that "apple cider vinegar" is a double redundancy. Cider is the juice of apples; if something is made of something else then it needs extra clarification; standard vinegar is made from
(apple) cider; if its made with something else, that needs explanation.

[aruvqan]

Originally Posted by Capt Kirk

wow cool site I had no idea it existed, sorry about the smell
Landlubber Capt Kirk

Originally Posted by drewtwo99

Oh Crap! You guys know where I work now <_<...

Also... that's all we do. Drive back and forth, back and forth, back and forth... for months and months

LOL, it can be amazing the random people you meet on the internet and where they work - I am neighbors with the [now deceased] parents of one of the engineering chiefs on the Caroline Chouest when she was stationed with the NR1 in Groton.

[do they still do steel beach BBQs, and can you fish off the back when off duty?]

[Zsofia]

So I tried cider vinegar in water last night for my horrible sinus ailment.

1) It was quite tasty, actually. I had maybe two tablespoons with enough water to fill a highball glass and I'd totally drink that as a beverage if it's safe for my tooth enamel and such (and considering I've been drinking diet Coke since I started on this whole diet thing I'm sure it can't be as bad as all that.)

But, 2) Yeah, my nasal exudations got thinner. Which was horrible and awful. I mean, maybe it's better in the long run, but I was choking on post-nasal drip.

[elbows]

1. I was told specifically not to take it that way because of the damage to your teeth, it will cause.

2. Yes, it is worse than any Coke product, brush your teeth after taking it to avoid trouble.

3. You're choking on it because there is so much, next time, if you take it at the onset, of your head cold, you can avoid this.

[Ca3799]

The girls at work are drinking this, too. About 4-6 ounces of hot vinegar sweetened with stevia. Ick.

[drewtwo99]

Originally Posted by aruvqan

LOL, it can be amazing the random people you meet on the internet and where they work - I am neighbors with the [now deceased] parents of one of the engineering chiefs on the Caroline Chouest when she was stationed with the NR1 in Groton.

[do they still do steel beach BBQs, and can you fish off the back when off duty?]

Haha no... sadly. No BBQs or fishing off the back!

[Jackmannii]

Originally Posted by detop

Can't be that good. It doesn't even deal with the heartbreak of psoriasis.

Nope, it's utterly fantastic for psoriasis too.

[detop]

Originally Posted by Jackmannii

Nope, it's utterly fantastic for psoriasis too.

But, but, but... it still CAN'T be good. It doesn't cure leprosy or, or, or stuttering.

[drewtwo99]

Good news and bad news folks...

The bad news is that less than a minute ago, I just saw our party manager get infected with the ACV Plague sweeping the ship. The guy giving it to him said, "It tastes like what it is: shit wine. It's doable." Yay!

The good(ish) news is that my boss just emailed me and told me he needs me to start working in the North Sea... so I might get pulled off the Carolyn early. Not too excited about the move honestly but, hopefully there won't be any ACV onboard.

[aruvqan]

Originally Posted by drewtwo99

The good(ish) news is that my boss just emailed me and told me he needs me to start working in the North Sea... so I might get pulled off the Carolyn early. Not too excited about the move honestly but, hopefully there won't be any ACV onboard.

Hm north sea. Yay, if you have any scandanavians on board you get pickled herring smell ....

[Regallag_The_Axe]

Originally Posted by aruvqan

Hm north sea. Yay, if you have any scandanavians on board you get pickled herring smell ....

Yes, but you also get to eat pickled herring with sour cream on rye bread, and that stuff is great.

[Taomist]

Originally Posted by Jackmannii

Nope, it's utterly fantastic for psoriasis too.

Hehe, don't laugh, but my mom has used ACV and salad oil, mixed together like a salad dressing <which is what it smells like> as a tanning supplement for 40 years. She does not burn, and...her psoriasis clears up totally. We're pretty sure it's the whole sun thing doing that, and not the ACV, but...she's never used anything else, so who knows.
Worked for me too, when I did it, but I haven't deliberately tanned in decades so...who knows.

[Malacandra]

Originally Posted by drewtwo99

Also, Joe is selling these bottles for 5 bucks a pop to everyone on our ship. He says he pays 5.69 for them, but he believes so strongly in the power of it, he's willing to sell it at a discount.

How does he do it? Volume!

[Jackmannii]

Originally Posted by detop

But, but, but... it still CAN'T be good. It doesn't cure leprosy or, or, or stuttering.

But Hippocrates considered leprosy and psoriasis to be the same thing, so you've got to think ACV works on leprosy too. And there's no stuttering possible while you're drinking ACV, so it cures that also.

Bring 'em on, ACV cures them all. And if it doesn't work, obviously you weren't doing it right, or were using the wrong brand.

It's good for what ails you.

[Tapiotar]

Summary of research on vinegar and blood pressure, tumors, and blood sugar, from
Medscape. Much of this research done in Japan, with rice vinegar. I've seen bottles of vinegar in the health sections of Japanese stores.

[Renee]

Originally Posted by Tapiotar

Summary of research on vinegar and blood pressure, tumors, and blood sugar, from
Medscape. Much of this research done in Japan, with rice vinegar. I've seen bottles of vinegar in the health sections of Japanese stores.

That site asks for a log in. Can you summarize, please?

[Jackmannii]

What I see on Medscape (damn, that link requires signing up too) is a statement that the evidence for vinegar having any use in treating hypertension is "equivocal" (they say there may be some role for it in improving glycemic control in diabetes, depending on the outcome of future studies). Note that apple cider vinegar isn't mentioned as a specific variety better than others.

Here's another article relating "the sour truth" about apple cider vinegar and its claims of curing/treating various conditions.

[Tapiotar]

Originally Posted by Renee

That site asks for a log in. Can you summarize, please?

Sorry about that. I got to that site through a search, and no log in was required.
However, the research on vinegar in reducing blood pressure is inconclusive.

However, it has some value in lowering the glycemic index of carbohydrates, when the vinegar is used with food or some taken before eating. I've seen this research reported in more than one reputable place over the last few years, though I don't have time to search for cites right ow. This could be very useful for prediabetics, diabetics, and others with impaired carbohydrate metabolism. It may help combat obesity by reducing hunger, when taken before eating, though the evidence isn't very strong.

The Japanese researchers used rice vinegar, and I think some European studies have used wine vinegar. The acetic acid, which is the prime component of all vinegars, is the active agent.

Vinegar diets have been popular fad diets for ages. Lord Byron popularized his vinegar diet in 1820.