Erectile dysfunction (ED) can be a frustrating condition, particularly when standard treatments are not effective. However, there is little scientific evidence to support the use of apple cider vinegar as an alternative treatment option for ED.
Apple cider vinegar can, however, help a person manage aspects of some medical conditions that may lead to ED.
Anecdotal evidence and folk medical tradition both suggest that ED may improve with the use of apple cider vinegar.
Most males experience few or no side effects after taking apple cider vinegar. This may make it a possible alternative for males who want to improve the symptoms of ED but have concerns about the adverse effects of ED drugs.
In this article, we will explore the research into apple cider vinegar and its possible effects on ED.
Share on Pinterest Research is inconclusive on the benefits of apple cider vinegar for males with ED.
For some males, ED means being completely unable to get an erection. In others, ED can mean that an erection does not last long enough or takes a lot of effort to maintain.
No studies have tested the direct effects of apple cider vinegar on ED. This means that a male should not use it as their only treatment for ED, particularly when the cause is unknown.
The most common factors that give rise to ED include:
- anxiety
- depression
- stress
- relationship issues
- kidney disease
- multiple sclerosis
- type 2 diabetes
- heart disease
- high blood pressure or high cholesterol
- injuries to the penis due to surgery or trauma
- bladder or prostate cancer
- bladder or prostate surgery
- Anecdotal evidence has suggested that apple cider vinegar can relieve the effects of some of the causes of ED.
However, scientific research into the effectiveness of apple cider vinegar has had mixed results for many of these conditions.
In the sections below, we cover some of this research. It is important to point out that some studies found a benefit but were small or poorly designed. Others revealed that apple cider vinegar provided no benefits at all.
Males with ED should always talk to their doctor before trying apple cider vinegar as a treatment.
Although apple cider vinegar may not directly treat ED, it may help ease some of its causes. For example:
Protecting heart health
Apple cider vinegar may help lower levels of blood lipids and cholesterol, which can improve heart health. This may theoretically reduce the severity of ED.
A 2014 study of female mice found that apple cider vinegar could reduce blood lipids.
A 2018 study of male rats found a link between apple cider vinegar and improved cardiovascular health. Even though the rats ate a high fat diet, apple cider vinegar reduced the risk of obesity, which has links to cardiovascular disease.
Rats who consumed apple cider vinegar were also less likely to have metabolic changes linked to obesity and worsening heart health.
Improving organ health
Oxidative stress can cause kidney and liver damage to develop over time. Research in mice has found that apple cider vinegar may slow signs of oxidative stress in the kidneys and liver.
Apple cider vinegar might also increase levels of antioxidants that can improve organ health.
Although no research has shown that it can prevent ED that develops due to kidney or liver damage, it does suggest that people with organ conditions may benefit from taking apple cider vinegar.
There is also no evidence to suggest that apple cider vinegar improves the symptoms of ED following recent organ surgery.
Treating diabetes
Diabetes can undermine heart health and circulation, potentially making it difficult to achieve and maintain an erection. Some research has found that apple cider vinegar may help treat diabetes.
For example, a 2015 study in mice with diabetes discovered that apple cider vinegar could significantly bring down blood glucose levels. Other studies have found that various vinegars can help with diabetes.
However, a 2016 review of previous research concluded that there is no definite evidence linking apple cider vinegar to an improvement in diabetes symptoms. More research is needed.
The review contends that other vinegars may be helpful, but the author does say that the risks of apple cider vinegar for people who have diabetes outweigh the benefits.