Apple cider vinegar and kidney health
Can you consume apple cider vinegar if you have kidney disease? The short answer is YES! And there are a few things that you should know about it before consuming it!
If you prefer a video explanation, you can watch and learn below. Otherwise, let’s dive into the top things to know about apple cider vinegar and whether it is good for the kidneys or not!
Don’t drink it straight!
You can burn your esophagus or damage your tooth enamel if you take shots of apple cider vinegar. ALWAYS mix it with water if you are going to drink it. Or use it in your meal as a sauce, dressing, or marinade.
A typical portion is 1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar mixed with at least 8 ounces of water. It is pretty potent though, so you likely want to mix with 16 ounces of water. The water can be cold, room temp, or hot.
What are the potential benefits?
Some people find that consuming apple cider vinegar before or during their meals helps improve digestion. It may also lower their blood sugar spikes after a meal.
Apple cider vinegar is also negative PRAL (potential renal acid load). I often hear that people drink it to alkalize their blood or lower the PRAL of their meal. One tablespoon of apple cider vinegar is -0.2 PRAL. It’s great that it is negative. But veggies and fruit are way lower PRAL!
So, these potential benefits are great if you like it and want to try it and see if it works for you. But apple cider vinegar isn’t a miracle liquid where the rest of your diet doesn’t matter!
Who shouldn’t drink apple cider vinegar?
There are a few situations where someone shouldn’t consume apple cider vinegar, especially drinking it!
- People with a kidney transplant are usually advised to avoid non pasteurized apple cider vinegar. They should get apple cider vinegar WITHOUT the mother since they are immunocompromised.
- If you find that apple cider vinegar upsets your stomach, gives you heart burn, makes you belch, or anything uncomfortable, then it is best not to consume it.
- If you’re allergic to apples then don’t consume apple cider vinegar 🙂
Is apple cider vinegar high in potassium?
Nope! Apple cider vinegar contains 11 mg potassium for a 1 Tablespoon portion. This means it is low in potassium!
Should you just take a supplement?
The potential benefits of apple cider vinegar are truly in the product itself. ACV supplements often have other things added (like sugar, artificial sweeteners, sugar alcohols, or food coloring).
If you want to consume apple cider vinegar, just buy actual apple cider vinegar!
Apple cider vinegar can be good for your kidneys, but it isn’t a miracle liquid! If you want to drink it, remember to mix with water. If you want to use it in cooking, try using it in a marinade, sauce, or dressing to add more flavor to your meals!
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