Can Apple Cider Vinegar Cure Erectile Dysfunction?
Erectile dysfunction, also known as impotence, is a sexual dysfunction in which a man can't get or keep an erection during sex. Ed is among the common illnesses affecting a large population of males. Almost 30 million men in the United States face mild to severe Ed symptoms.
The cause of such sexual illness can be due to various conditions, from stress and depression to heart diseases and obesity.
ED has many home remedies, like apple cider vinegar, made from fermented apples and sold in local and online stores. But is there any evidence that Apple Cider Vinegar may help treat or cure Ed?
Continue reading to know whether apple cider Vinegar can help with Ed. Also, understand its possible risks and side effect that may appear while using it. And when to see a doctor for Ed if no home remedies work for you.
What is Apple Cider Vinegar?
Apple cider vinegar is a Vinegar made from apples fermented in sugar and yeast. People often use it in pickles, salad dressings, marinades, kombucha mixtures, or as a beverage. It includes many beneficial compounds that it gains from the fermentation process. One of its properties, acetic acid, provides apple cider Vinegar its health benefits. It's why apple cider Vinegar is also used as a home remedy for many common health issues for years.
How Apple Cider Vinegar is made?
The following process takes place while making Apple cider Vinegar-
- Apples are crushed up and mixed with yeast
- At first, the crushing of apples takes place and is integrated with yeast.
- Over time, yeast ferments the natural sugars in the apples and turns them into alcohol.
- Some Bacteria are also added to the mixture to continue the process of fermentation and produce acetic acid.
Is Apple Cider Vinegar a proven ED remedy?
Currently, no studies claim Apple cider vinegar directly improves the symptoms of Ed. Also, it is essential to note that Ed can have many causes that can make it difficult to know precisely how apple cider vinegar may help. Some reason that can lead to Ed includes-
- Heart-related diseases
- Emotional distress(Depression, stress and anxiety)
- Relationship issues
- Smoking
- Substance abuse
- Physical injuries to the penis
- Diabetes
- Cancer and its treatment side effects
- Obesity
But, Some researchers have investigated the potential health benefits of apple cider vinegar in humans and animals for health conditions like-
- Weight management
- Heart disease prevention
- Blood glucose control
The thought that apple cider vinegar may help treat Ed comes from the fact that it may help in some of its causes. Thus, treating these causes may help reduce the risk factors of Erectile dysfunction(Ed).
The idea that apple cider vinegar can treat erectile dysfunction may come from the fact that it helps treat some causes and risk factors for ED. The reason why it may benefit includes-
Type 2 diabetes
Men who face type 2 diabetes are more likely to develop impotence. A review published in 2020 of 6 studies shows that 317 participants could lower their blood sugar levels with apple cider Vinegar—these participants had type 2 diabetes.
Overweight
Being overweight can be a risk factor for Erectile dysfunction in men. In a 2018 study, researchers found that people who consumed 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar daily for 12 weeks lost more body fat than those who didn't.
Heart disease
Heart disease is also among the common risk factor for Ed in men. Suppose we see no human studies that claim that apple cider vinegar may reduce heart disease risks. But a study published in 2018 on rats suggests that it can help lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels. And for your information, both conditions are well linked to heart disease.
Cholesterol
In 2014, researchers reviewed studies and found that apple cider vinegar may help stop LDL cholesterol oxidation. It may prevent heart disease caused due to high cholesterol.
But Apple cider vinegar is not proven to treat any disease and is recommended as a treatment. It should not replace exercise and diet for weight loss and use as a substitute. However, It needs more research to understand how Apple cider vinegar relates to ED and other sexual health conditions.
How to use Apple Cider Vinegar
You can add Apple cider vinegar to many recipes or as a daily supplement. Here are some ways that you can prefer to consume it-
- Plain supplement- Take 1 to 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar orally by mouth daily. It is the usual dose used in some human medical studies, but ensure you do not consume too much of it, as it can harm you.
- Mix it in marinades- Add 1 to 2 tablespoons to a meat marinade; vinegar is a common ingredient. When you expose it to heat to cook, some properties will remain in it.
- Use in salad dressings: Add 1 or 2 tablespoons of raw apple cider vinegar in a homemade salad dressing.
- Use in ferments- Add its amount to homemade pickles or make fermented food items with the condiment.
Can Apple Cider Vinegar cause side effects?
Apple cider vinegar is not a medically approved treatment for male impotence or Ed. It shouldn't be chosen as a treatment substitute for diabetes or weight problems. Better you take to a doctor if your health concerns like if you have and follow their plan for good treatment.
As you have read above, Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acids. Also, we have listed its benefits and use, but consuming it raw can cause symptoms like stomach pain or discomfort. Acetic acid may cause damage to the throat, mouth, and esophagus when taken in high amounts.
The acetic acid in apple cider vinegar may also lead to the risk of eroding tooth enamel. A study in 2021 suggested that taking the usual dose of 2 tablespoons per day for 3 weeks or more has shown noticeable tooth erosion in consumers.
Don't use apple cider vinegar regularly when taking diuretic or insulin medications. The interaction may make these medications less effective. Apple cider vinegar can also lower potassium levels and make cause hypokalemia. Hypokalemia occurs when blood potassium levels become dangerously low.
When to see a doctor
Immediately stop using Apple cider vinegar if you notice any of the following symptoms. If you feel serious difficulty due to them, please visit a doctor soon. Symptoms such as-
- Muscle cramps
- Weakness
- Lightheaded
- Pee a lot more than usual
- Fatigue
- Feeling extremely thirsty, even if you have drink water
- Bloating
- Stomach pain
- Muscle twitching
- Constipation
- Change in the heart rhythms
- Numbness or tingling in the limbs
- Diarrhea
Prescription medications for Ed
To treat the symptoms of Ed, oral Ed medications are one of the men's widespread choices. These Ed pills improve the blood flow to the penis and help them get hard erections. Viagra(Sildenafil), Cialis(Tadalafil, and Levitra(Vardenafil), are some proven drugs to treat Ed and are available as prescription drugs.
Discuss all the potential risks and benefits of these drugs before using them. You may get help from these drugs if no home remedies like Apple cider vinegar seem to benefit you. Talk to a doctor before considering something as a treatment for Ed or any other health issues leading to it.
Related Article - Olive Oil and Lemon Benfits for ED
Final lines
Taking apple cider vinegar daily can help you reap positive benefits for your health. It may help address some underlying causes of Ed and help in its prevention.
But, no research claims that apple cider vinegar can treat Ed or any other health issue resulting in Ed.
However, there's nothing wrong with adding a little apple cider vinegar to your daily diet. It will be worth using even if it shows little benefits to your overall health at minimal cost and risk.
