Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is a versatile kitchen staple. You can use it to make tangy salad vinaigrette or sauces and marinades. ACV can also be used as a non-toxic ingredient for DIY cleaning products! But did you know that ACV can also be used to prevent kidney stones?

Who says ACV is just for salad dressing?

How apple cider vinegar protects against kidney stones

Kidney stones form when minerals, like calcium, oxalate and uric acid in urine become concentrated. These minerals crystallize and grow into larger masses or stones that can make their way through your urinary tract.

Kidney stones can get stuck somewhere. When these stones block the flow of urine, they can cause pain. Most stones occur when calcium combines with either oxalate or phosphorous. Kidney stones can also form from uric acid, which forms as your body metabolizes protein.

Kidney stones cause discomfort and pain in a person’s stomach, groin, or lower back. Unless you want to take medications or undergo surgery to remove kidney stones, you can try simple home remedies that include ACV.

Since ACV is acidic, it can help break down the hard tissues that form kidney stones. If you have small stones, ACV will help flush them out of your body through when you urinate.

If you have larger stones, taking ACV remedies regularly will help dissolve them over time. ACV remedies will also help prevent the recurrence of kidney stones since this ingredient acts as a natural cleanser.

ACV can help break down calcium, oxalate and uric acid. Even though ACV is acidic, it has an alkalinizing effect on urine and blood.

Here are seven different ACV remedies that you can try to avoid developing kidney stones.

1. ACV and water

This simple remedy calls for 6-8 fl oz of water with two tablespoons of ACV. Mix the ingredients well, then drink it throughout the day. Take this remedy before meals to prevent a buildup of kidney stones.

After you eliminate the kidney stones, keep drinking this mixture once or twice weekly to avoid the recurrence of stones.

2. ACV with honey

For this remedy, you need to combine 2 tsp of honey with a teaspoon of ACV. Drink this mixture throughout the day.

Take ACV with honey until the kidney stone dissolves. If the mixture is too strong, dissolve it with a bit of water.

3. ACV and baking soda

ACV and baking soda combined make for another remedy that can help prevent kidney stones. The latter has alkalizing properties that help reduce the acidity in your body.

Combine a couple of tablespoons of ACV and half a teaspoon of baking soda, then mix well. Drink the mixture after it stops fizzing. Take the remedy three times every day until you feel relief.

4. ACV with honey, baking soda and distilled water

To make this remedy, combine hot distilled water, 1 fl oz of ACV and ¼ tsp of baking soda and honey in a large mug. Mix well and drink it within 30 minutes.

This home remedy will relieve the pain caused by kidney stones.

5. ACV with olive oil, lemon juice and water

This remedy contains lemon juice, which has citric acid that can lower the acidity of urine and prevent kidney stone formation.

Combine 2 fl oz of organic lemon juice and 2 fl oz of organic olive oil, then drink the mixture. After taking this remedy, drink 12 fl oz of water. Wait for one hour before you consume anything.

Alternatively, you can squeeze the juice of half a lemon in 12 fl oz of water, then add 1 tbsp of ACV. Mix well before drinking. Take the remedy throughout the entire day until the stone dissolves.

6. ACV and coconut oil

Fill a glass with 16 fl oz of water then add 2 tbsp of ACV and coconut oil. This remedy helps prevent kidney stones.

7. ACV poultice

Get a pan, then heat equal quantities of ACV and water. Let the mixture cool for a bit, then soak a washcloth in the mixture for several minutes.

Remove the excess liquid from the cloth, then place it on painful areas until it cools. Repeat this until the pain subsides. Combine this method with the other ACV remedies above for best results.

If you have kidney stones, you should also stay hydrated. Data from a study published in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology warns that sugar-sweetened sodas increase the risk of kidney stone formation.

Drinking plenty of water helps dilute the substances in urine that cause the formation of stones. Consume enough fluids to pass at least two liters of urine a day. This is equivalent to about eight standard 8 oz cups. Drinking citrus beverages, such as lemonade and orange juice, can also help. These beverages contain citrate that can prevent stone formation.

Taking ACV remedies will help treat kidney stones, but the best way to prevent stone formation in the first place is by observing good eating habits, following a healthy diet and exercising regularly.

Sources:

FoodsForBetterHealth.com

Health.Harvard.edu