Bladder infections are a kind of urinary tract infection, or UTI, that affects millions of people each year. Home remedies are often sought after to treat this condition and Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar is a product many reach for as a solution. Scientific evidence is lacking in terms of using vinegar as a treatment, though it may be a useful preventive. Always consult a health care provider before trying a new therapy or altering your diet, especially if you have a health condition.
Definition
Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar is a brand of vinegar that's organic and unpasteurized. It contains a cloudy substances comprised of apple and pectin called the mother. The mother is supposed to help digestion, improve your immune system and flush out toxins, according to the Bragg website.
Bladder Infections
According to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse, bladder infections are typically cause by bacteria from the digestive tract entering the urethra and proliferating. Symptoms include painful urination, abdominal pain or pressure, urinary frequency and urgency, cloudy urine, and blood in the urine.
Bragg Cider Vinegar and Bacteria
Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar may help discourage the growth of bacteria in the bladder. According to Dr. Earl Mindell, author of "Dr. Earl Mindell's Amazing Apple Cider Vinegar," vinegar is highly acidic and may promote an acidic environment in the bladder. Since bacteria thrive in an alkaline environment, consuming vinegar may act as an infection preventive.
Prevention Not Treatment
Apple cider vinegar, Bragg's or otherwise, may prevent bladder infections by making your bladder inhospitable to bacteria, but drinking it is not a good treatment option. The only treatment for bladder infections is antibiotics, which you can obtain from your doctor or an urgent care center. Failing to seek treatment could cause the infection to spread to your kidneys where it could enter your bloodstream, according to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse.
References
- Bragg: Bragg Organic Apple Cider Vinegar
- "Dr. Earl Mindell's Amazing Apple Cider Vinegar"; Dr. Earl Mindell, R.Ph.; 2002
- National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Urinary Tract Infections in Adults
