Fact Check: Can apple cider vinegar dissolve kidney stones naturally?

Hyderabad: A Facebook post claims that drinking apple cider vinegar, diluted with honey and water, helps pass kidney stones naturally and can also dissolve them.

Apple cider vinegar is reportedly a popular home remedy for many health conditions: from weight loss to skin regime.

Fact Check

NewsMeter found that the claim is misleading.

What are kidney stones?

Kidneys are two bean-shaped organs, each about the size of a fist. Our kidneys filter about half a cup of blood every minute by eliminating toxins and extra water as urine. The urine flows from the kidneys to the bladder through two thin tubes called ureters. Kidneys, ureters and the bladder form the urinary tract.

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases and Healthline, “Kidney stones are solid masses of crystalized minerals and salts that develop inside the kidneys and along the urinary tract. Kidney stones happen as the result of a buildup of these minerals in your urine, especially when your urine is concentrated. They vary in size and are often quite painful. Kidney stones may cause nausea, fever, and painful urination. They’re quite common, especially if you’ve had them before or if they run in your family.”

Can apple cider vinegar (ACV) help dissolve kidney stones?

This is not completely true since there is data to support that apple cider vinegar can help kidney function.

Firstly, you need to always remember that apple cider vinegar is acidic in nature with a pH ranging from 2 to 3. This means that concentrated ACV needs to be diluted and then consumed in moderation.

Secondly, the acetic acid found in ACV is said to soften, break down and eventually dissolve kidney stones. Apple cider vinegar is known for alkalising blood and urine while increasing stomach acids. This helps prevent new stones from forming and improves digestion.

According to Healthline, ACV can help reduce pain and inflammation from kidney stones. It helps the body to get rid of toxins and excess mineral that leads to kidney stones. More research is needed to find whether apple cider vinegar can also help in dissolving already-formed kidney stones.

The results are anecdotal. Solid scientific studies examining the direct effect of apple cider vinegar on kidney stones are lacking. But it should be noted that you can still have apple cider vinegar diluted with water for the detoxification of the kidneys and liver.

A study on the potential of dietary vinegar to prevent kidney stone recurrence via epigenetic regulations found that animal models and in vitro studies show that vinegar prevents CaOx nephrolithiasis by influencing urinary citrate and calcium excretion via epigenetic regulations.

Vinegar consumption is a promising strategy to prevent CaOx nephrolithiasis occurrence and recurrence.

In case you are suffering from kidney stones, visit your health professional as soon as possible before the symptoms worsen. Only a doctor can tell you the size of your stone and the severity of the condition.