Wellness Inquiry
Is Apple Cider Vinegar Good for Overactive Bladder?
Do you sometimes feel like you have to go to the bathroom more often than usual? If the answer is “Yes,” you might have something called “overactive bladder” (OAB). Let’s find out if ACV could be a helpful remedy.
Overactive bladder 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.
You might have come across claims that Apple Cider Vinegar is good for overactive bladder—but what does the science actually have to say?
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What Does the Science Say?
People have used vinegar as a folk remedy for centuries, but does it really work?
The 2018 Study
ACV’s Antimicrobial Effects
A study published in a scientific journal in 2018 found that apple cider vinegar has “antimicrobial” effects. This means it can kill certain types of bacteria that cause urinary problems, like UTIs. (Ref. 1)
This was a laboratory study (a controlled environment). It wasn’t tested directly on people with overactive bladder, so we can’t definitively say drinking ACV stops symptoms in real life.
The 2012 Study
Rice Vinegar and UTIs
In July 2012, Biological Research for Nursing published a study observing if diluted rice vinegar could prevent urinary tract infections in people using long-term catheters.
The Experiment
Researchers gathered 60 participants with long-term catheters. Half drank 100ml (half a cup) of diluted rice vinegar daily for four weeks. The other half drank water.
The Findings
Lower urinary acidity (pH)
Fewer bacteria in the urine
Urine was significantly less cloudy
What Do These Results Mean?
Based on the findings, researchers suggested drinking vinegar might decrease the risk of getting symptomatic urinary tract infections. However, the study was small (only 60 people), meaning more extensive research is required.
The Final Conclusion
What does all of this mean for people with overactive bladder thinking about trying ACV? Well, it’s still not entirely clear.
While there is evidence suggesting vinegar might have benefits for urinary health by fighting bacteria, more research is needed to understand exactly how it works and who it helps most.
Natural remedies like vinegar should never be used as a substitute for medical advice or prescribed treatments.
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If you’re struggling with an overactive bladder or any other health issue, it’s always best to talk to a doctor or healthcare professional for personalized advice and guidance.
Reference:
Frequent Urination & Vinegar | Livestrong
u/OAB_Warrior
Read an article that Apple Cider Vinegar can help with Overactive Bladder (OAB). Has anyone actually tried this? 🍎🚽
The article mentioned that studies show ACV has antimicrobial effects, which might lower the risk of UTIs and help with bladder issues. But it also said the evidence for OAB specifically is still pretty thin.
Has anyone here started taking an ACV shot daily? Did it actually reduce your bathroom trips or is this just another folk remedy?
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ScienceNurse_RN
The article hit the nail on the head regarding the difference between UTIs and OAB. OAB is typically a muscle/nerve issue (detrusor muscle spasms), whereas UTIs are bacterial. ACV’s antimicrobial properties are great for preventing UTIs, which absolutely *aggravate* an overactive bladder, but ACV won’t stop the muscle spasms themselves.
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BladderBlues
Exactly this. I have nerve-related OAB, and trying the ACV trick actually made my symptoms WORSE because highly acidic foods/drinks can trigger bladder flares for some people. Be super careful if you have Interstitial Cystitis (IC).
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CitrusHater99
Can confirm. Tomatoes, coffee, and anything acidic totally wreck my bladder control. ACV did the exact same thing to me.
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MorningRitual
I tried the ACV trick every morning for a month. 1 tbsp diluted in a tall glass of water. It didn’t cure my OAB, but I did notice my urine was less cloudy and I wasn’t waking up *as* much at night. Warning though: Dilute it well or your teeth will hate you.
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TeethNerd_DDS
USE A STRAW! Seriously, my dentist yelled at me for drinking it straight from a glass for a year. It absolutely strips your enamel if it washes over your front teeth every day.
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GrandmaKnowsBest
My grandma swore by ACV for literally everything. I mix a tablespoon of the raw, unfiltered stuff (with the “mother”) with warm water and honey. Even if the OAB benefits are just a placebo effect, it helps my digestion immensely. I feel less bloated pressing on my bladder.
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UroPatient_2024
Please talk to a urologist first. I spent an entire year trying natural remedies like ACV, cranberry pills, and pumpkin seed oil. I was so miserable and barely sleeping. Finally got a proper diagnosis and a prescription for Myrbetriq, and I got my life back in two weeks. Natural isn’t always the only way!
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