Vinegar kills tuberculosis, other mycobacteria

Posted by lynne63 @lynne63, Aug 10, 2021

In the proper concentration, vinegar is an effective disinfectant. Great for use on shower heads, cleaning equipment etc. I also wonder about using apple cider vinegar that is in many popular beverages recently, and if that would help by drinking ACV in beverages. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/02/140225101501.htm

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Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Aug 10, 2021

Yes, that article was helpful, and continued research has supported the effectiveness of vinegar as a topical disinfectant and antibiotic. The key is the 30 minute soak to penetrate the biofilm and kill the bacteria.

Drinking cider vinegar goes back a long way - shrubs (fruit preserved in vinegar & diluted) and switchel (vinegar, ginger & sweetener brewed together) - have been around since Colonial times. My family and friends have made a variety of these as summer beverages. Suddenly about 10-15 years ago the current aplle cider vinegar and water trend began. There are many testimonials about drinking it, but the real science is slim.

What happens when you drink apple cider vinegar? It enters the stomach where it is digested. It may have some effect on mycobacteria directly in the stomach, but I couldn't find anything conclusive about NTM. Since none of it reaches the lungs in its acetic acid form, it cannot have any effect on NTM there.

So the answer is most likely, it won't fight NTM in our lungs, but for most people it won't hurt them either. If you decide to try it, be sure to read the cautions about potential interaction with medications, and other side effects, and if you have multiple health conditions, consult your PCP.

Sue