Do you sometimes feel like you have to go to the bathroom more often than usual? If the answer is “Yes” then You might have something called “overactive bladder” or OAB.
This means your bladder muscles squeeze too often, even when you don’t need to go. It can be uncomfortable and make it hard to do things you enjoy.
Now, let’s talk about something called apple cider vinegar, or ACV for short. ACV is a type of vinegar made from apples. It is believed to have special nutrients to help with different health issues.
So, In this blog post, we’ll explore the question: Is Apple Cider Vinegar Good for Overactive Bladder?
Let’s find out if ACV could be a helpful remedy for managing overactive bladder symptoms.
Is Apple Cider Vinegar Good for Overactive Bladder?
You might have come across claiming that Apple Cider Vinegar is good for overactive bladder but what does the science have to say?
Let’s discuss in detail.
People have been using vinegar as a folk remedy for centuries. But does Vinegar really work for an Overactive Bladder?
Some research studies have been conducted to investigate whether apple cider vinegar might be helpful for people with overactive bladder.
One study, which was published in a scientific journal in 2018, found that apple cider vinegar has something called “antimicrobial” effects. ( ref.1)
This means it can kill certain types of bacteria that can cause urinary problems, like urinary tract infections.
However, it’s important to remember that this study was done in a laboratory, which is a controlled environment where scientists can study things closely.
It wasn’t done on people with overactive bladder, so we can’t say for sure if drinking apple cider vinegar will actually help with overactive bladder symptoms in real life.
In another study, In a research article published in the July 2012 issue of Biological Research for Nursing, scientists conducted a study to see if drinking diluted rice vinegar could help prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs) in people who use long-term catheters.
What Happened in the Study
The researchers gathered a group of 60 people who had long-term catheters. A catheter is a thin tube inserted into the bladder to help drain urine from the body.
Half of the participants were given 100 milliliters (about half a cup) of diluted rice vinegar to drink every day for four weeks. The other half of the participants were given the same amount of water instead. This way, the researchers could compare the effects of drinking vinegar versus drinking water.
What the Researchers Found
During the study, the participants’ urine was collected and analyzed every week. The researchers looked at three things: the acidity of the urine (called urinary pH), the amount of bacteria in the urine (called bacterial titer), and how cloudy the urine was (called turbidity).
After analyzing the data, the researchers found that there were significant differences between the group that drank vinegar and the group that drank water.
Specifically, the urine of the vinegar-drinking group had lower acidity, fewer bacteria, and was less cloudy compared to the water-drinking group.
What the Results Mean
Based on these findings, the researchers suggested that drinking vinegar might help decrease the risk of getting symptomatic urinary tract infections. In other words, they thought that vinegar might make it less likely for people with long-term catheters to develop UTIs that cause symptoms like pain or burning during urination.
However, the researchers also pointed out that their study had some limitations. For example, the study was relatively small, with only 60 participants.
They also noted that more research with a larger number of participants is needed to be sure about the effects of drinking vinegar over a longer period of time.
Conclusion
So, what does all of this mean for people with overactive bladder who are thinking about trying apple cider vinegar as a remedy?
Well, it’s still not entirely clear. While there is some evidence to suggest that vinegar, including apple cider vinegar, might have some benefits for urinary health, more research is needed to understand exactly how it works and who it might help the most.
It’s also important to remember that what works for one person might not work for another and that natural remedies like vinegar should never be used as a substitute for medical advice or prescribed treatments.
If you’re struggling with an overactive bladder or any other health issue, it’s always best to talk to a doctor or other healthcare professional for personalized advice and guidance.
Reference:
Frequent Urination & Vinegar | livestrong