Apple cider vinegar for prevention of urinary lithiasis (APUL): a randomized crossover trial

Baker B, Herforth C, Low J, Craig R, Christman M

Published in International Urology and Nephrology

Methodology

Randomized crossover trial in 20 non-stone-forming adults comparing apple cider vinegar, coconut water, lemon water and diet orange soda, each for one week with a two-week washout and 24-hour urine collections.

Key Findings

Apple cider vinegar did not significantly change 24-hour urinary citrate, pH or volume, whereas coconut water (+273.8 mg/24 h) and lemon water (+167.7 mg/24 h) raised urinary citrate.

Conclusions

ACV did not significantly change 24-hour urine parameters relevant to kidney-stone prevention.

Limitations

Only six participants consumed ACV, participants were non-stone formers, and the one-week exposure measured surrogate urinary chemistry rather than stone events.