About 2 million people, mostly women, suffer from one or more bladder infections each year, Larry Trivieri, Burton Goldberg and John W. Anderson, report in their book, "Alternative Medicine: The Definitive Guide." If you have a bladder infection, you likely experience symptoms like a painful and burning feeling when urinating, the frequent need to urinate, and lower back or pelvic pain. Your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic to kill the infection, but avoiding certain foods can also bring you some relief.
Fruit Juice
According to Trivieri, Goldberg and Anderson, many fruit juices are acidic, which can cause irritation to your bladder and make symptoms worse. Citrus fruit juices, such as grapefruit and orange, are some of the worst choices because they contain some of the highest levels of acid. Pineapple juice is another common offender. Avoid fruit juice if you have a bladder infection, with the exception of unsweetened cranberry and blueberry juice, the authors recommend. These juices may actually enable you to rid your body of the infection more quickly by helping to get rid of the bacteria that is causing the problem in your bladder.
Chocolate
Chocolate contains a high amount of refined sugar, which can irritate the lining of your bladder and cause you more pain and discomfort, Phyllis A. Balch notes in her book, "Prescription for Herbal Healing." Any type of chocolate should be avoided during the course of a bladder infection, including candy, cookies and chocolate drinks. Avoid other foods with refined sugar, such as baked goods, breakfast cereal and white bread, because the sugars they contain can also cause additional irritation to your bladder, making it more difficult to heal.
Peppers
Spicy peppers, bell peppers and ground pepper used for seasoning can all cause your pain and discomfort to worsen during the course of a bladder infection, Balch notes. Eliminate these foods from your diet when cooking and when dining out to help improve your symptoms. Read the ingredient labels on foods, particularly Mexican and Asian foods, because they often contain ground peppers to lend spice and flavor. Any food that contains peppers as an ingredient has the potential to cause additional pain as you heal from your bladder infection. Other spicy foods should also be avoided, with the exception of garlic and onions, note Trivieri, Goldberg and Anderson, because they have healing properties that may help eliminate an infection.
References
- "Alternative Medicine: The Definitive Guide"; Larry Trivieri, Burton Goldberg and John W. Anderson; 2002
- "Prescription for Herbal Healing"; Phyllis A. Balch; 2002
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