A urinary tract infection--or UTI--is a bacterial infection in your bladder, urethra or kidneys that can recur frequently in some people. If you have frequent UTIs, you might help to reduce the number of infections by altering your diet. Talk to your doctor before beginning any dietary regiment for preventing or treating UTIs.
Foods to Add
Drinking six to eight glasses of water each day, as well as plenty of other fluids like herbal teas and unsweetened fruit juices may help to reduce UTIs, says the University of Maryland Medical Center. The water can dilute your urine and improve bacteria excretion, MayoClinic.com notes. Adding blueberries and cranberries or unsweetened cranberry juice might prevent harmful bacteria from adhering to your bladder tissues. Also, enrich your diet with high-fiber foods like root vegetables and beans, as well as antioxidant foods like squash, cherries, tomatoes and bell peppers.
Foods to Avoid
Avoid junk food containing trans-fatty acids and refined or processed foods like pasta and white bread, advises the University of Maryland Medical Center. Don't drink sodas, sweetened or citrus juices, coffee and alcohol, because these beverages can worsen UTIs, MayoClinic.com says. Consuming refined sugar, alcohol and fatty foods can also inhibit your body's ability to fight off bacteria by suppressing your immune-system function, notes the University of Michigan Health System. If you have recurrent, frequent UTIs, eliminating common food allergens like wheat, dairy and corn, as well as food preservatives and additives might also reduce the recurrence of infections. Instead of using butter or lard, cook with olive or vegetable oil, and replace red meats with lean meats, fish, beans and soy products.
Tips
In addition to altering your diet, exercising at least five days per week for about 30 minutes can reduce the frequency of UTIs, notes the University of Maryland Medical Center. Placing a heating pad on your lower abdomen when you have a UTI could also ease bladder pressure, MayoClinic.com says. If you're a woman, wipe from front-to-back after going to the bathroom instead of back-to-front. This will prevent bacteria from entering your urethra. After sexual intercourse, urinate to empty your bladder soon after and drink a full glass of water. This will help to remove any bacteria from your urinary tract.
Supplements
Certain dietary supplements could help prevent recurrent UTIs as well. Taking 100 mg of grapefruit seed extract capsules three times daily or 5 to 10 billion colony-forming units of the probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus each day could help strengthen your immune system or offer antibacterial actions, says the University of Maryland Medical Center. You could take 500 to 1,000 mg of vitamin C once or twice each day or 500 to 1,000 mg three times daily of l-glutamine for immune-system support. Ask your doctor before taking any dietary supplements for UTIs to discuss the proper dosage and potential health risks.
Considerations
Despite these dietary changes, you can still have recurring UTIs. If you have a UTI, dietary changes won't cure the infection, so you must take an antibiotic prescribed by your physician, says the University of Maryland Medical Center. Talk with your doctor before making any changes to your diet or taking any dietary supplements.
