(Article medically reviewed by Dr. Zac Hyde M.D)
I’ve heard from several men who have used apple cider vinegar for erections. Some have had wild success…but others, not so much.
After a bit of digging around and some self-testing, I’m pretty sure I know why this all-around health tonic works for some men and not for others: It all depends on your baseline health to begin with!
In other words, if you have metabolic syndrome, high blood pressure, elevated glucose levels or you’re overweight, ACV may help your ED situation.
But if you’re already in supreme metabolic shape and don’t have a string of health problems, the impact may be minimal.
So let’s take a deeper look into apple cider vinegar for erections and see if it can be of any benefit to you.
Apple Cider Vinegar Lowers Blood Sugar
High blood sugar linked with diabetes is known to damage blood vessels, and the fragile blood vessels of the penis can be particularly susceptible.
Apple cider vinegar — which is cheaper than any diabetic drug and has fewer side effects — has been shown in human and animal studies to reduce blood sugar. One study showed that it reduced HbA1c in rats significantly.
It also reduced low density lipoprotein-cholesterol and triglyceride levels (source).
And that’s just one of many studies that link apple cider vinegar to better blood glucose management. Another showed that taking apple cider before bed reduces fasting glucose levels the next morning (source).
Apple Cider Vinegar Blunts Insulin After Meals
A study touted by the American Diabetes Association out of Arizona State University found that the acetic acid in apple cider vinegar significantly improves insulin sensitivity after meals in those who have insulin resistance and may work similar to the diabetes drugs acarbose and metformin (source).
By blunting the impact of an insulin spike after meals, apple cider vinegar seems to be able to help prevent the artery damage caused by elevated insulin.
And remember….artery damage leads to a decreased ability to get an erection and declining health overall, meaning it has implications that go far beyond ED.
This study and others like it are great news for diabetics, but many people have insulin resistance and occasional higher-than-normal insulin spikes who aren’t diabetic, and these findings show promise for these people as well.
Apple Cider Vinegar May Lower Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is an important and sometimes overlooked cause of erectile dysfunction. Another benefit of taking apple cider vinegar for erections is that it shows promise as a blood pressure regulator.
While more study is needed to be certain, there is evidence on the side of ACV for blood pressure management.
A study with rats revealed that the acetic acid in vinegar can reduce blood pressure and regulate the activity of renin, an enzyme produced in the kidneys that pushes blood pressure up (source).
And it makes sense on another level. Holistic experts and medical doctors alike recognize that ACV can help balance body pH, break down mucus and fat deposits and aid blood circulation.
And since high blood pressure damages arteries just as elevated glucose and insulin do, it’s essential to keep it down if you want to get “it” up.
Apple Cider Vinegar Improves Blood Lipids
The same rat study mentioned at the beginning of this article also indicates that apple cider vinegar can help improve lipid levels.
ACV also contains the antioxidant chlorogenic acid, which has been shown in research to keep bad cholesterol particles from oxidizing, which can lead to heart disease (source).
And of course, any kind of vascular / heart disease is bad for erectile health.
Also, when you keep blood lipid levels in check, you keep your blood flowing smoothly and freely, which has a major impact on your ability to achieve and maintain an erection.
Apple Cider Vinegar Helps With Weight Loss
Here’s something else to consider: people have been using apple cider vinegar to promote weight loss for years — centuries actually. A small amount taken every day is believed by many to be an appetite suppressant.
Plus, it’s insulin-regulating and glucose-regulating properties help keep body mass in check.
Also, your body fat contains an enzyme that converts your testosterone into estrogen, so a reduction in body weight will move your hormones into a more masculine direction.
Apple cider vinegar is also believed by some to speed up metabolism, and that also explains why it can help you maintain a healthy body weight.
When you consider the other potential health benefits, it just makes sense to include apple cider vinegar in your diet — especially if you have elevated glucose levels, high blood pressure or are overweight.
Update: 5 More Benefits of AVC
We’ve updated this article with five more benefits of apple cider vinegar, including info on its anti fungal and antibacterial properties, its impact of arterial health, digestion and more.
Let’s go…
AVC is Good for the Heart
This should come as no surprise considering what we’ve already talked about.
With its proven ability to lower blood pressure, prevent arterial damage from elevated insulin, and zap your blood sugar levels, ACV is certainly what you might call “heart-healthy.”
However, it goes much further than that.
After all, we also mentioned how ACV might help regulate your blood lipid levels, keeping your pipes clean and free of gunk.
Then there’s the lowered triglycerides and cholesterol, which only enhance this self-cleaning process.
Finally, you have weight loss, which reduces the size of your of fat cells that might be “putting the squeeze” on your veins and arteries.
And you know what, there’s even more evidence to support your daily dose of ACV…
AVC May Boost Blood Flow & Improve Artery Health
Vasodilation may not mean much to you, but both your heart and your boner have it pretty high on their “keyword list.”
Essentially, this refers to your veins and arteries’ ability to “open up” and allow for “maximum blood traffic.”
This matters big time when it comes to keeping your vascular system pumping. But it also ensures that those tiny capillaries in your penis get every last drop they deserve.
For instance, in this study from 2010, vinegar was found to enhance vasodilation by upregulating our nitric oxide synthesis.
If you’re unfamiliar with nitric oxide, you can check out some of the articles I’ve written in the past.
For now, you can think of it as the “triggering mechanism” by which your brain tells your penis to fill with blood.
Another study from the same year looked into the ways vinegar intake can affect atherosclerosis (arterial hardening and damage) in rabbits.
As it turns out, AVC has acute protective effects on damaged arteries.
By tending to the inflammation that often accompanies these conditions, regular doses of vinegar can not only prevent further injury but also support your body’s natural healing processes.
Apple Cider Vinegar May Improve Digestion
If you want a healthy life, you need a healthy gut. One of the best ways to maintain that gut health? You guessed it – regular doses of Apple Cider Vinegar.
For instance, you need proper levels of stomach acid in order to break down proteins, digest fats, and get those delicious fat-soluble vitamins from the foods you eat.
ACV is great for introducing more acid to your digestive tract. And (curiously enough), it can help treat some forms of acid reflux.
Then you have results like those found in this study, which found that ACV might actually help speed up the gastric emptying process.
Though this particular research group was rather small, there’s no arguing the ramifications of such a discovery.
After all, treating delayed gastric emptying issues could have major implications for diabetic patients who need help managing their glucose and insulin levels.
Apple Cider Vinegar is a Natural Anti-Fungal
Fungal infections are so much more than just a locker-room nuisance.
For instance, did you know that certain fungal infections (like candida) can lead to hormonal problems, nutritional deficiencies, and even erectile dysfunction? It’s true!
Men between 40 and 70 who find themselves afflicted with candida albicans often experience testosterone decreases, lowered libido, loss of muscle mass, and more.
Fortunately, ACV has long been used by women to treat candida-based yeast infections, and there are plenty of evidence and success stories showing its anti-fungal potential goes much much further.
Take, for instance, this study. It found ACV to be highly effective in treating men suffering from denture stomatitis (a type of candida infection in the mouth).
Strangely enough, ACV seems to become superpowered when combined with organic coconut oil.
While I can’t speak to the flavor, a 2007 study did end up declaring the most massage-friendly of all cooking oils to be nearly as effective at treating fungal infections as the leading prescription ointments.
AVC is also Antimicrobial
Fortunately, fungus isn’t the only unwanted microbe Apple Cider Vinegar has been shown to eradicate.
It also delivers a stiff one-two punch to excess gut bacteria.
As you may already know, we have a certain number of healthy bacteria in our microbiome to help us break down food. However, when our guts become overrun with bad bacteria, it can quickly cause serious problems.
In a study from 2017, ACV was found to be a powerful antimicrobial, drastically reducing the proliferation of a variety of bacterial strains.
In fact, ACV has even been shown to be successful at reducing sickness from the most dreaded of bacterial offenders, E. Coli and Staphylococcus Aureus.
All in all, this gives us a powerful weapon against the next inevitable vegetable recall (not to mention a host of bacteria-induced health and sexual problems)
Apple Cider Vinegar Dosage
Taking apple cider vinegar couldn’t be easier: simply put a tablespoon of this mildly bitter liquid in a small glass of water and drink it. Be sure you rinse your mouth afterwards to prevent the ACV from damaging your teeth.
Or if you prefer, add a small salad to your lunch that includes a tablespoon of ACV and some olive oil as the dressing. The oil is good for you too.
Some people swear they get better results by taking two or more tablespoons a day, perhaps mixed with apple juice.
Others find that they get burning in the mouth, throat or stomach from even the smallest amount and simply can’t tolerate it at all.
My suggestion is to try one tablespoon at first, then work your way up from there if you’d like to test out higher dosages.
Apple Cider Vinegar For Erections – Conclusion:
Whole books have been written about the health benefits of apple cider vinegar for everything from poor digestion to erectile health.
As you can see from the evidence and opinions here, there are clear links between apple cider vinegar and erections.
So if you want to improve your overall health — including your sexual function — consider adding apple cider vinegar to your diet, particularly if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or are overweight.
It’s cheap, easy to take for most people and has so many potential health benefits that it’s worth giving it a try.
Just don’t expect miracles if you don’t have any of the medical conditions mentioned above.
