Using Apple Cider Vinegar For UTIs: 6 Interesting Facts

Written by

Jessica Guht

Jessica is a medical writer with an unquenched thirst to discover something new. She believes that medical content should be accessible to everyone and strives to write content that every single person can understand. When Jessica isn’t writing, she can usually be found reading a book with a dog cuddled in her lap. Jessica has a Masters of Engineering degree in Biomedical Engineering.

Medically reviewed by

Amy Dougherty, FNP-BC, AGAC

Amy is a Board Certified Family Health Nurse Practitioner (FNP) with over 15 years of experience working in Hospital Medicine, Urgent Care and Primary Care practices. Amy graduated Thomas Jefferson University with high distinction earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2008, a Master of Science in Nursing in 2010 and a Post Master's Certificate in Adult Gerontology Acute Care (AGAC) in 2014. She was recognized by the Elite American Nurses Association in 2013 for her dedication, achievements and leadership in the field Nursing. She served as a clinical preceptor for a number of Nurse Practitioner students and enjoys teaching the bright minds of future NPs.

UTIs can often be a real nuisance. A minor urinary tract infection may cause you barely any pain, but the symptoms associated with it can be a real inconvenience. From the constant need to urinate to that burning feeling that you get when you urinate, you may find yourself searching for all sorts of ways to ease the symptoms of your UTI. 

There are lots of tried and tested methods for alleviating the symptoms of a UTI. While antibiotics will almost always be needed to treat the UTI, using a heating pad, wearing loose clothing made of cotton, and taking a nice warm bath can help ease the symptoms you’re experiencing. However, nowadays, people are turning to new and inventive ways to try to ease these symptoms quicker. 

One possible solution that has become well-discussed in recent years is apple cider vinegar. But does it work as a solution for your UTI? This guide will look at 6 interesting facts that discuss just that. 

Table of Contents

• 1. It Is Unclear if Apple Cider Vinegar Works for UTIs
• 2. Apple Cider Vinegar Will Not Cure an Active UTI
• 3. In Fact, It Could Worsen It
• 4. There Are Health Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar
• 5. Including the Support of Natural Antioxidants
• 6. There Are Different Types of Apple Cider Vinegar
• How Can DrHouse Help You With Your UTI?
• Summary

1. It Is Unclear if Apple Cider Vinegar Works for UTIs

Firstly, it is important to note that it is still unclear if apple cider vinegar works for UTIs. While the ideas behind using apple cider vinegar for a UTI makes sense, it is unclear if it actually works and if there are any real benefits to consuming apple cider vinegar for this cause. 

There has been lots of research into using apple cider vinegar for other conditions, including diabetes, and high cholesterol. However, there has been very little research into the use of apple cider vinegar for UTIs. 

Some people believe that apple cider vinegar will work as a treatment for a UTI as the acid that is introduced through the vinegar will neutralize the pH of the kidneys. However, it is unclear if the byproducts of apple cider vinegar will ever reach the bladder, and there is no research to support this.

People who have used apple cider vinegar to alleviate symptoms of their UTI have reported some success. However, it is unclear if this improvement is due to the specific consumption of apple cider vinegar, or due to the flushing of the system through the consumption of the liquid (rather than the apple cider vinegar itself). 

Until scientific research is completed into the use of apple cider vinegar for UTIs, it will be impossible to say for certain if apple cider vinegar works as a treatment for UTIs.

2. Apple Cider Vinegar Will Not Cure an Active UTI

On the back of that, it is important to note that apple cider vinegar absolutely will not cure an active UTI. If you try using apple cider vinegar to cure your UTI, instead of seeking medical advice then you could become seriously ill. So you should never use apple cider vinegar as an alternative. 

If you only use apple cider vinegar to attempt to cure your UTI, then the infection that starts in your urethra will spread. The infection that starts in your urethra will spread up into the bladder, and if left untreated, it will spread even further. Past the bladder, then the infection could spread to the kidneys, and from there it is at risk of spreading into the bloodstream. If the infection spreads to the bloodstream then you are at serious risk of your blood becoming infected, otherwise known as sepsis. 

Sepsis is a potentially life-threatening infection with a relatively high mortality rate. It is treatable, but it is difficult to spot at the early stages, and this is why many people are left fighting for their lives when they contract sepsis. So remember, apple cider vinegar will not cure your UTI. 

3. In Fact, It Could Worsen It

In fact, not only will apple cider vinegar fail to cure your active UTI, but it could actually make it worse. A UTI becomes serious when it reaches your bladder, and that is when it will definitely need antibiotics to fight the infection. When your UTI reaches your bladder, then drinking apple cider vinegar will actually exacerbate the infection.

When you have a UTI, you should be careful with what foods and drinks you consume. Coffee and alcohol can make your symptoms worse, and so can apple cider vinegar. Consuming apple cider vinegar once the infection is in your bladder can cause the acid to eat away at the mucus lining of your bladder, making symptoms worse than they were before.

4. There Are Health Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar

That being said, apple cider vinegar is by no means unhealthy. There are a wide range of health benefits connected to apple cider vinegar, and it works effectively with some conditions. It is just uncertain if UTIs are one of these conditions. 

Animal studies have shown that apple cider vinegar has been connected to reduced blood sugars, decreased body fat, improved metabolic function, and lots more. There are also lots of studies being done to assess the effectiveness of apple cider vinegar for other conditions. So there are plenty of health benefits associated with apple cider vinegar, even if it isn’t effective for UTIs.

5. Including the Support of Natural Antioxidants

Apple cider vinegar has also been connected with supporting the natural antioxidants that your body already produces. When your body has an infection, it typically will lead to inflammation. Inflammation can be repaired after the fact, or it can be prevented.

Inflammation is prevented by antioxidants that naturally occur in the body. The number of antioxidants in your body can be increased by what you eat because a lot of food naturally carries antioxidants. For example, antioxidants are commonly found in herbs, and they can also be consumed with apple cider vinegar too. 

So, while consuming apple cider vinegar will not cure your UTI, consuming apple cider vinegar may reduce your risk of getting a UTI due to the fact that you will be consuming antioxidants. Antioxidants will prevent swelling, and help ensure you remain healthy.

6. There Are Different Types of Apple Cider Vinegar

Finally, it is also worth noting that there are multiple different types of apple cider vinegar that you may choose to consume. They are:

• Organic Apple Cider Vinegar – Certified apple cider vinegar will be free of any synthetic additives or genetically modified organisms. 
• Raw Apple Cider Vinegar – This vinegar is completely unheated and totally natural. 
• Unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar – Cloudy apple cider vinegar that is unfiltered, so it contains all the goodness of apple cider vinegar. 

Different apple cider vinegar will have different purposes. A lot of the time, people will opt for unfiltered apple cider vinegar simply because of the goodness that it has and the fact that it is in a fairly natural form. It is also pretty versatile so it can be used for lots of different things.

How Can DrHouse Help You With Your UTI?

At DrHouse, we understand how important it is to take care of your urinary tract health and we are committed to helping you find the best treatment for your UTI.

We offer an on-demand online doctor service that connects you with one of our experienced clinicians in just minutes and whenever you need us.

Our clinicians are available 24/7 to answer your questions and provide you with a personalized treatment plan and online prescriptions to help you reduce your UTI symptoms as quickly as possible.

Summary

In short, there isn’t actually any proof that apple cider vinegar works as a treatment for UTIs which is why you should always seek medical advice if you suspect that you have a UTI. 

However, some people have reported that apple cider vinegar has helped to alleviate the symptoms of their UTI. But remember, every UTI is different, as is every person. That is why you should always seek medical advice, and likely antibiotics, to treat your UTI.

Sources:

• Urinary Tract Infections. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/uti.html.
• Foxman, B. The epidemiology of urinary tract infection. Nat Rev Urol 7, 653–660 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrurol.2010.190.
• Rebecca L. Fahey. Health Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar and Other Common Vinegars: A Review. Integrative Medicine Alert; Atlanta Vol. 20, Iss. 6,  (Jun 2017).
• Vesna KALABA, Željka MARJANOVIĆ BALABAN, Dragana KALABA. ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF DOMESTIC APPLE CIDER VINEGAR. Vol. 4 No. 1 (2019): AGROFOR – International Journal. Available from: https://doi.org/10.7251/AGRENG1901024K.
• Sowjanya Pulipati, Puttagunta Srinivasa Babu, M Lakshmi Narasu and Nagisetty Anusha. An overview on urinary tract infections and effective natural remedies. Journal of Medicinal Plants Studies 2017; 5(6): 50-56. Available from: https://www.plantsjournal.com/archives/2017/vol5issue6/PartA/5-6-7-566.pdf.
• Fazly Bazzaz, B.S., Darvishi Fork, S., Ahmadi, R. et al. Deep insights into urinary tract infections and effective natural remedies. Afr J Urol 27, 6 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12301-020-00111-z.