Can Apple Cider Vinegar Help, Prevent, or Treat Ovarian Cancer? Everyday Health MenuNewslettersSearch Ovarian Cancer Does Apple Cider Vinegar Help Prevent or Treat Ovarian Cancer The short answer: probably not. Experts believe the best approach is to integrate the vinegar into a healthy eating plan, rather than downing shot after shot in the hope it can help cure you. By Elizabeth MillardMedically Reviewed by Thomas Urban Marron, MD, PhDReviewed: May 11, 2020Medically ReviewedApple cider vinegar simply doesn’t have research behind it to support cancer-fighting claims.iStockWhen it comes to health remedies derived from natural sources, apple cider vinegar (ACV) has risen to the fore, with proponents claiming it can help control diabetes and aid weight loss, among other benefits. But for people with ovarian cancer — or any other chronic health condition — is apple cider vinegar really the tonic it’s sometimes touted to be? The short answer is probably not, according to Steve Vasilev, MD, a gynecologic oncologist and the medical director of Integrative Gynecologic Oncology at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California. ACV simply doesn’t have enough research behind it to support any cancer-fighting claims, Dr. Vasilev says, addressing the connection between apple cider vinegar and ovarian cancer. Even when studies found benefits from the vinegar in other areas, as in weight loss research, results were modest rather than significant. “One of the reasons I became board certified in integrative medicine was because so many of my patients were asking about remedies like apple cider vinegar and other options,” Vasilev says. “So I understand the appeal of wanting something that feels more ‘natural’ than a treatment like chemotherapy. But that said, if I’m going to recommend something as a complement to therapy, it needs to have extensive, compelling data behind its benefits, and I don’t think ACV is there.” RELATED: 8 Touted Health Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar (and What the Research Says) Apple Cider Vinegar Benefits and Drawbacks Although there’s no evidence that ACV can fight ovarian cancer, that doesn’t mean it lacks benefits in general, according to Britt Brandon, author of Apple Cider Vinegar Drinks for Health. Keep in mind that the vinegar is made from apples, she says, which do confer major nutritional advantages. “Apples are packed with vitamins and minerals that give ACV its myriad health benefits, as well as pectin, which aids in digestion,” she says. According to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, apples provide a high amount of vitamin C and are rich in quercetin, a type of plant chemical with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. One reason to consider ACV instead of — or in addition to — just eating apples is that the organic, unfiltered kind contains many beneficial and naturally occurring bacteria, nutrients, and enzymes, says Brandon, as well as acetic acid. Some natural-health practitioners promote acetic acid as protective against cancer, but again, there simply isn’t research to support that theory, Vasilev says. Although a popular idea is that changing blood pH levels by adopting an alkaline diet to lower acidity will affect how cancer cells grow, the scientific evidence is lacking. In fact, according to the American Institute for Cancer Research, it’s virtually impossible to alter the cell environment of the human body to ward off cancer simply by switching up what you eat and drink. RELATED: Diet and Cancer: What You Need to Know — and Eat — to Feel Your Best While Fighting Cancer Finding the Right Balance Playing around with ACV is one thing if you’re feeling healthy and have no underlying conditions, says Vasilev, but if you’re in the midst of ovarian cancer treatment, it may be less advisable. That’s because the acidity of the vinegar, even diluted, may be unappealing — especially if you’re already struggling with appetite issues due to treatment like chemo. As with other types of potential food-based remedies, Vasilev says the best approach is to integrate ACV into a healthy eating plan, rather than consuming large amounts in the belief that “more is more.”“Splashing some apple cider vinegar on your salad or putting some in a smoothie or some soup is a good approach, in large part because it means you’re eating nutrient-dense foods and using the vinegar as an add-in,” he says. “I don’t see the benefit of taking shots of the vinegar a few times a day, but if a splash here and there helps you to eat more vegetables, that’s a good thing.” NEWSLETTERS Sign up for our Cancer Care Newsletter SubscribeBy subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. The Latest in Ovarian Cancer 7 Need-to-Know Things About Low-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer A doctor and patient share their wisdom about this lesser-known form of ovarian cancer. By Jennifer GaramSeptember 26, 2022 Spotlight on T E A L Tell Every Amazing Lady T.E.A.L. supports women diagnosed with ovarian cancer and educates people on the disease. By Lambeth HochwaldSeptember 23, 2022 6 Things to Read Watch and Listen to About Ovarian CancerA guide to the books, movies, and podcasts to check out when you’ve been diagnosed with the disease.By Jennifer GaramSeptember 23, 2022 Why the Latest Screening Tests and Treatments Offer Hope for Ovarian CancerResearch is finding new ways to prolong the lives of women with ovarian cancer.By Cheryl Platzman WeinstockSeptember 13, 2022 Ovarian Cancer Myths vs FactsThe best way to beat ovarian cancer is to know the difference between misconceptions and the facts. Check out these 6 myths, debunked.By Lambeth HochwaldJuly 27, 2022 Finding a Cancer Diagnosis and Coping With InfertilityBy Victoria CampanaNovember 30, 2021 Ovarian Cancer Pain What It Feels Like What Causes It and How Women Manage ItPain from ovarian cancer can be subtle or extensive, but there are pain management strategies that can help.By Jessica MigalaSeptember 18, 2020 Ovarian Cancer and Pregnancy What You Need to KnowIt’s important to know your ovarian cancer risk when family planning and how a prior diagnosis can affect fertility.By Liz SchererAugust 27, 2020 Meet Your Ovarian Cancer Healthcare TeamEffective ovarian cancer treatment requires a cooperative approach. Learn about the key healthcare providers who should be on your team.By Max Lee OnderdonkJune 25, 2020 Yoga for Ovarian Cancer Poses That Benefit Your Health During and After TreatmentWhether you’re in the middle of treatment for ovarian cancer or trying to get your strength back after you’ve completed it, a yoga routine may be just...By Meryl Davids LandauJune 16, 2020 MORE IN Causes of Pancreatic Cancer Why the Latest Screening Tests and Treatments Offer Hope for Ovarian Cancer Common Cancer Signs and Symptoms