Fact Check: Can lemon, ginger, garlic and apple cider vinegar remove blockages from heart veins?

A post on Facebook claims that heart veins can be opened and blockages will removed by consumption of mixture of lemon, ginger, garlic and apple cider vinegar. The claim is FALSE.

Claim

A viral Facebook post suggests that consuming a mixture of lemon juice, ginger juice, garlic juice, and apple cider vinegar can open heart veins and gradually eliminate blockages. According to the post by Md Khadeer, the natural remedy involves combining 1 cup each of these juices, boiling the mixture on low heat until it reduces to 3 cups, then allowing it to cool. Once cooled, 3 cups of honey are added and mixed thoroughly before storing the solution in a clean bottle. The user advises taking one tablespoon of the mixture daily before breakfast, claiming that this will slowly remove blockages from the veins. On the side, the post also contains images of heart blockages. The post has 1.6M+ views and can be accessed here.

Fact Check

This claim by Facebook user is False. Firstly, the image depicting blockages are those of arteries and not of veins. Further, the consumption of this mixture to remove blockages is not supported by any scientific or medical evidence. 

Health Benefits of Lemon, Ginger, Garlic and Apple Cider Vinegar

Lemons (Citrus limon) are a rich source of Vitamin C, an essential nutrient that supports immune system function and helps the body fight infections. They are also packed with antioxidants, which combat oxidative stress and inflammation, promoting heart health by improving cholesterol levels and reducing blood pressure. The citric acid in lemons aids digestion by stimulating gastric juices, and their alkalizing effect on the body helps balance pH levels. Additionally, lemons are known for their ability to enhance skin health due to their vitamin C content, which supports collagen production and reduces skin aging.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) has long been valued as a medicinal herb due to its health benefits. The bioactive compounds in ginger are known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which can help modulate the immune system. Additionally, ginger aids in muscle relaxation.

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) has long been valued both as a spice and a medicinal remedy, primarily due to its organosulfur compounds. A 2023 article by Silvana Zugaro et. al. emphasizes garlic's diverse therapeutic benefits, which stem from its bioactive compounds. These compounds contribute to garlic's anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immune-enhancing properties. In addition to reducing inflammation, as noted in Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry, garlic also offers antimicrobial, antiviral, and cardiovascular benefits. It has been shown to lower blood pressure, improve cholesterol levels, and may help reduce the risk of heart disease. Garlic's antimicrobial properties also make it effective in fighting various infections, including bacterial, fungal, and viral pathogens.

Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV), or cider vinegar, is derived from fermented juice from crushed apples, resulting in a pale to medium amber liquid. ACV retains some nutrients in apples, including pectin, B vitamins (B1, B2, B6), biotin, folic acid, niacin, pantothenic acid, and vitamin C. Research suggests that ACV may offer several health benefits, particularly for individuals with diabetes, as it has been shown to significantly reduce hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) levels, lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and triglycerides while increasing high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. ACV has been linked to decreased triglycerides and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol. Nutrient-rich, especially in unfiltered and organic forms, ACV contains acetic acid, pectin, potassium, and calcium, which contribute to its potential health benefits. These include helping to regulate blood sugar levels, promoting weight loss, improving cardiovascular health, balancing body pH, and aiding in detoxification.

Can Heart Veins be Opened?  

Heart veins, specifically coronary veins, do not get blocked as coronary arteries, which are responsible for supplying oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle. Blockages usually occur in the coronary arteries due to atherosclerosis. The images in the video are also of arterial blockages

The Medical Dialogues Fact Check Team spoke with Dr. Prem Aggarwal, (MBBS, MD - General Medicine, DNB - Cardiology, DNB - General Medicine) Senior Cardiologist, Sanjeevan Hospital, New Delhi and he explained "In cardiovascular medicine, it is the arteries, not the veins, that typically become blocked due to plaque buildup, leading to conditions like coronary artery disease. Arteries are responsible for delivering oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle, and when they narrow or get blocked, it can result in a heart attack or angina. Treatments such as angioplasty and stenting are designed to open blocked arteries, not veins. Heart veins, particularly the coronary veins, have a different function. They carry deoxygenated blood from the heart muscle back to the right atrium of the heart. Veins do not typically develop the same kind of blockages as arteries. In rare cases, vein-related issues, such as blood clots, can occur, but these are managed with anticoagulation therapy, not procedures to 'open' them. Patients need to differentiate between arteries and veins when discussing heart health. If someone is experiencing symptoms of coronary artery disease, such as chest pain or shortness of breath, they should consult a cardiologist for proper diagnosis and treatment focused on the arteries."

Can Heart Veins be Opened by Consumption of lemon, ginger, garlic and apple cider vinegar?

No scientific evidence or medical consensus supports the claim that Heart Veins or even arteries can be Opened by Consumption of lemon, ginger, garlic and apple cider vinegar

Heart veins cannot be blocked but arteries can be blocked. Arterial blockages also known as Atherosclerosis is a widespread condition that occurs when plaque, a sticky substance, accumulates inside the arteries. Over time, cholesterol, fat, blood cells, and other materials in the bloodstream contribute to the formation of plaque, which gradually narrows the arteries. This narrowing limits the flow of oxygen-rich blood to essential organs in the body.

While lemon, ginger, garlic may have some health benefits like antioxidant properties and Apple Cider Vinegar may possess certain cholesterol reducing properties but they cannot reverse or remove arterial blockages. Atherosclerosis (buildup of plaque made of fat, cholesterol, and other substances), are a complex process that requires medical interventions such as lifestyle changes, medications, and sometimes surgical procedures like angioplasty or bypass surgery.

Responding to the claim Dr. Manav Aggarwal, Interventional Cardiologist, Sanjeevan Hospital, New Delhi said, "Blockages are in the heart’s arteries, not veins, are typically due to atherosclerosis, which involves the buildup of plaque (composed of fat, cholesterol, and other substances). This condition requires medical treatment such as lifestyle changes, medications, or interventional procedures like angioplasty or bypass surgery. While lemon, ginger, garlic, and apple cider vinegar may offer some health benefits—such as lowering cholesterol levels or providing antioxidant properties—these are supportive measures that cannot reverse or 'unclog' blocked arteries. They may contribute to overall heart health when included in a balanced diet, but they are not substitutes for proven medical treatments in cases of arterial blockages. Patients should always seek proper medical advice by doctors for conditions like coronary artery disease and avoid relying on unproven remedies. Early diagnosis and treatment are key to managing cardiovascular conditions effectively, and cardiologists can provide the appropriate interventions based on a patient’s specific needs."

Medical Dialogues Final Take

There is no scientific evidence or medical consensus to support the claims that blockages in Heart veins can be removed by Consumption of mixture lemon, ginger, garlic and apple cider vinegar. Heart veins cannot be blocked and these ingredients may have a positive impact on cardiovascular health and may reduce cholesterol but they cannot remove arterial blockages.

Thus, the claim is FALSE.