Urinary tract infections, UTIs, primarily affect women, resulting in approximately 4 million visits to doctors' offices each year, just in the United States, according to October 2005 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Although apple cider vinegar can't get rid of a urinary tract infection, this inexpensive, readily available kitchen ingredient may play a role in helping you keep a UTI from developing, especially when used in combination with other preventative strategies.
The Facts
The majority of urinary tract infections develop when bacteria --- generally E-coli bacteria from the digestive tract --- enter and multiply in parts of the urinary tract, particularly the bladder. These bacteria attach to the urinary tract lining with tiny hooks called fimbriae. Once attached, the bacteria proliferate, eventually producing the symptoms of a urinary tract infection, which may include painful urination; bad-smelling, discolored or blood-tinted urine; and frequent voiding.
Effects
Although organized studies regarding the exact effect of apple cider vinegar on urinary tract infections are lacking, apple cider vinegar may help your urinary tract maintain its proper acidity levels, notes Dr. Earl Mindell, registered pharmacist and author of "Dr. Earl Mindell's Amazing Apple Cider Vinegar." Urinary tract infections seem more likely to develop when the urinary tract becomes less acidic, which may occur in part as a result of normal bodily changes, such as hormone shifts during or after pregnancy and menopause.
Considerations
If you have a personal history of recurrent urinary tract infections, talk to your doctor about the possibility of drinking apple cider vinegar to aid in preventing future infections. Maximize your chances of avoiding a future UTI by combining apple cider vinegar with other preventative strategies, such as drinking cranberry juice and staying hydrated with plenty of water. Remember to practice preventative bathroom hygiene, which includes wiping from front to back, urinating regularly and avoiding the use of scented feminine hygiene products.
Warning
Although drinking apple cider vinegar may aid in preventing a urinary tract infection, never attempt to use it to treat one, which requires antibiotics. Contact your primary care physician as soon as you notice symptoms. He will collect a urine sample, identify the cause of the infection and give you a prescription for the proper antibiotic. Failure to promptly treat a urinary tract infection may cause the infection to spread to your kidneys, where it could lead to serious kidney problems and sepsis, widespread infection.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Urinary Tract Infections
- "Diseases of the Kidney and Urinary Tract"; Dr. Robert Schrier; 2007
- "Treatment of the Postmenopausal Woman"; Dr. Rogerio Lobo; 2007
- "Dr. Earl Mindell's Amazing Apple Cider Vinegar"; Dr. Earl Mindell, R. Ph.; 2002
- MayoClinic: UTI Prevention
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