The Role of Diet in UTI Prevention and Treatment

3 Key Takeaways:

  1. Diet can play a role in UTI prevention and treatment by reducing exposure to UTI-causing bacteria, changing the pH of urine, flushing out bacteria, preventing bacteria from attaching to cells, and adding good bacteria to the urinary tract. 
  2. Eating a vegetarian diet, drinking plenty of fluids, eating foods rich in vitamin C, and eating berries can help protect against UTIs. 
  3. Avoiding sugary foods, bladder irritants, acidic fruits, and animal meats can reduce the risk of UTIs and improve recovery.

Do you already have a urinary tract infection (UTI)?

If so, you need immediate antibiotic treatment—UTIs respond well to antibiotics. But if your UTI is a stubborn or recurrent illness, then you should try a dietary change alongside the antibiotics. There are foods that can protect your urinary tract by increasing the pH of the tract, stopping the growth of bacteria, or preventing bacterial attachment on cells. In turn, they improve the efficiency of antibiotics and speed up recovery. So, what is the role of diet in UTI prevention and treatment?

  1. Can reduce exposure to UTI-causing bacteria

Some foods are reservoirs of UTI-causing bacteria while others are not. For example, pork, poultry, and other types of animal meat are reservoirs of the bacterial strains of Escherichia coli (E. coli) called extra-intestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC). ExPEC are known to be responsible for over 70 percent of all UTIs. Therefore, when you regularly eat foods that contain ExPEC, you increase your risk of UTIs. On the contrary, plant-based foods do not often contain these bacteria. Hence, a vegetarian diet helps you avoid contact with these bacteria and protects you against new or recurrent UTIs.

  1. Can change the pH of the urinary tract

For you to have a UTI, bacteria from the outside or from another part of the body must reach and establish in the urinary tract. But the growth of bacteria in the tract requires a suitable pH, among other factors. Studies have shown that foods that increase the pH of urine tend to stop the growth of UTI-causing bacteria. In contrast, foods that make the urine more acidic promote the growth of these bacteria and increase the frequency of UTIs.

This is how: Studies have shown that red meat and other animal proteins contain high potential renal acid loads (PRALs). When these foods are eaten frequently, they increase the acidity of urine and encourage the growth of UTI-causing bacteria. But fruits and vegetables contain low potential renal acid loads (PRALs). So, a regular vegetarian diet makes urine less acidic, prevents the growth of bacteria, and protects against UTIs. To prevent UTI, regularly eat oranges, broccoli, tomatoes, spinach, red berries, cauliflower, grapefruits, and foods rich in vitamin C.

  1. Can flush out bacteria from the urinary tract

Water and other fluids are powerful antidotes against UTIs. Drinking plenty of fluids, even when not thirsty, increases urinary frequency. During urination, the urine stream washes out bacteria from the urinary tract. This reduces their numbers and protects against infection. In fact, studies have shown that taking 6-8 glasses of water every day reduces the risk of UTIs by 58 percent. It also speeds up recovery from UTIs and protects against recurrent infections.

  1. Can prevent bacteria from attaching to cells of the urinary tract

Some foods play a role in UTI prevention and treatment by stopping infectious bacteria from attaching to the walls of the urinary tract. For example, freshly-squeezed 100-percent berry juices, like cranberry and blueberry, make it impossible for Escherichia coli and other bacteria to attach to cells of the urinary tract. These berries contain compounds called proanthocyanidins, which prevent the bacteria from sticking to the lining of the urinary tract. Hence, the bacteria remain free in the tract and are easily flushed out by urine. So, by adding these berries to your diet, you lower your risk of infection, speed up your recovery from an existing UTI, and prevent recurrent infections.

  1. Can add good bacteria to the urinary tract

UTIs can be prevented by biological means. And probiotics and fermented foods are a great way to use good bacteria to stop the growth of bad bacteria in the urinary tract. For instance, yogurt and other fermented foods, such as sauerkraut and pickles, contain Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria. When these bacteria reach the urinary tract, they stop Escherichia coli and other infectious bacteria from growing. By enriching your diet with probiotics and fermented products, you can prevent UTIs by stopping the growth of infectious bacteria.

  1. Can make the urinary tract favorable for growth of UTI-causing bacteria

There are certain foods that encourage the growth of Escherichia coli and other UTI-causing bacteria. And so their intake should be reduced when undergoing treatment for UTIs. For instance, taking too much sugar encourages the breeding of bacteria in the urinary tract. That’s why you need to reduce sugar consumption when undergoing treatment or avoid sugar when struggling with a recurrent UTI. Also avoid sugary cookies, candies, or sweetened beverages—substitute them with water. Likewise, potential bladder irritants should be avoided. Once they irritate the bladder, they increase lower urinary symptoms that end up creating conditions necessary for the growth of infectious bacteria. Therefore, when undergoing treatment for UTI, avoid bladder irritants such as tea, soda, alcohol, coffee, and artificially sweetened beverages. Equally, avoid spicy foods and stop eating acidic fruits, such as lemons, oranges, or limes. You can resume eating them after the infection is gone, especially to get vitamin C, which helps prevent future infections.

Want to learn more about UTIs and other urological problems? Visit the site “St Pete Urology.”

References

“How to Prevent UTI.” Healthline, https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-prevent-uti.

Why do I get recurring urinary tract infections?

You can contract a urinary tract infection (UTI) at any point in your life. A urinary tract infection refers to entry of bacteria into the urinary tract via the urethra and then the subsequent multiplication and spreading to the urinary system, which leads to illness. The three most common UTIs are cystitis, urethritis, and pyelonephritis.

Urethritis is an infection of the urethra. It occurs when bacteria reaches the urethra and multiply there without progressing to deeper parts of the urinary tract. Cystitis is an infection of the bladder, which results when bacteria enter via the urethra and move into the bladder where it multiplies and causes disease. 

Pyelonephritis is an infection of the kidney.  It is triggered by the backward flow of infected urine from the bladder into the kidneys. But it can also be due to an infection in the bloodstream that ultimately reaches the kidneys.

Most urinary tract infections resolve without treatment. However, a number of them require antibiotic treatment.  When a urinary tract infection reappears 2 or more times within 6 months, it is said to be recurrent. A recurrent UTI may also be an infection that occurs at least 3 times per year. Failure to promptly and decisively treat recurrent UTIs can lead to kidney damage.

What are the causes of recurrent urinary tract infections?

  1. Underlying health issues

The risk of recurrent urinary tract infections increases with certain health conditions. For instance, you’re likely to have recurrent UTI if you have suppressed immunity, certain autoimmune diseases, neurological disorders, urinary stones, an enlarged prostate, or a chronic health condition like diabetes.

Also, you are more susceptible to recurrent UTI if you have had surgery on any part of your urinary tract, which produces scar tissue or an alteration in anatomy. Having a catheter and going through menopause also increase the risk of recurrent UTIs.

  1. Genetics

The risk of recurrent UTIs is higher if you have cells that are naturally more receptive to bacteria. A number of studies have shown that due to genetics some people have cell receptors that favor bacteria causing UTIs. For such people, it is difficult to flush out these bacteria from the urinary tract, which in turn predisposes them to recurrent bladder and kidney infections.

  1. Sex

Women have a higher risk of recurrent urinary tract infections than men. That’s because women have a shorter urethra than men and therefore have the urethra located nearer the vaginal opening. More bacteria reach the urethra in women and are more likely to spread to the bladder and kidneys than in men.

  1. Poor bathroom habits

There are a large number of bacteria in feces.  And when these bacteria in stool reach the urethra, they can cause urinary tract infections. That is why bathroom habits matter. And also why, after passing stool, women should wipe the anus from the front back to minimize the risk of fecal matter or bacteria moving from the anus into the urethra.

Also, bacterial transfer to the urethra increases in a dirty, moist environment. So it is important to be clean and dry before pulling your underwear back in place after peeing or passing stool. This prevents fecal matter from landing on the underwear and spreading when the underwear moves as you walk, sit or exercise.

  1. Sexual activity

Bacteria tend to spread easily during sexual activity. They can spread from your partner’s finger, tongue or genitals. They can also spread from sex toys. Plus, your own bacteria can spread from the vagina, penis or anus into the urethra. Likewise, items used during sex, such as spermicides, diaphragms and condoms increase the risk of recurrent UTIs.

Practicing good hygiene before and after sexual activity—such as cleaning sex toys before and after using them—can really minimize the risk of recurrent UTIs. Passing urine soon after sexual activity also helps to flush out errant bacteria. Speaking with your doctor about alternatives to spermicides and diaphragms can equally help with recurrent urinary tract infections.

What should you do to prevent recurrent urinary tract infections?

When struggling with recurrent UTIs, speak with your doctor about it. Apart from prescribing appropriate antibiotic treatment, the doctor may refer you to a urologist—a specialist in diseases and problems of the urinary system—to better pinpoint the cause and provide the most appropriate treatment.

Besides, you can take the following steps to prevent recurrent UTIs:

  1. Drinking plenty of water, advisably 8-10 glasses of water per day, to help you flush out bacteria from the urinary tract.
  2. Going to the bathroom as soon as you feel the urge to pee as holding urine can create a favorable environment for spread and multiplication of bacteria. 
  3. Avoiding scented products, like sprays, douches, and powders that can irritate your urethra and predispose your urinary tract to infections.
  4. Emptying your bladder soon after sexual activity to help you flush out errant bacteria.
  5. Considering vaginal estrogen therapy after menopause to help keep healthy reproductive and urinary systems.
  6. Using alternative contraception that does not include spermicides, diaphragm or condoms.
  7. Proper wiping, particularly for women and girls, after using the toilet to reduce exposure of the urethra to UTI-causing bacteria found in poop.

Patient-friendly, compassionate treatment of urological disorders

Urinary problems can be both distressing and embarrassing. You may even find it difficult to speak about them. At St Pete Urology, we offer a pleasant, empathetic urological care to enable you to speak freely about your urinary tract infections and other urological disorders in order to ensure prompt, accurate diagnosis and treatment.

For more information on recurrent urinary tract infections and other urological disorders, visit the site “St Pete Urology.”