Roughly 75 percent of women experience a yeast infection at some point, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. They also affect people with HIV/AIDS, elderly adults and infants and others with a weak immune system. Also called candidiasis, yeast infections form when candida, a yeast-like fungus, grows excessively and triggers itching, redness and discharge in your groin, mouth, digestive tract, urinary tract or skin. A nutritious, low-sugar diet may help minimize your symptoms. For best results, seek guidance from your doctor or dietitian.
Relationship
Added sugars, such as cane sugar and corn syrup, add sweetness and calories, but few nutrients, to foods. These highly concentrated sugars enable yeast to grow in your body, according to Christine Gerbstadt, a registered dietitian in Sarasota, Fla, and spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association. So, to prevent yeast infections, cutting back on sugary fare is important, particularly if you are prone to frequent yeast infections.
Guidelines
No specific guidelines exist for the amount of sugar you can safely consume to avoid yeast infections. As a whole, however, Americans consume far too much. A typical American diet contains over 22 tsp. of added sugar per day, according to MayoClinic.com -- an amount well beyond the the American Heart Association's recommended maximum of 6 to 9 teaspoons daily. Reducing your intake to stay within the AHA's suggested allotment allows plentiful room in your diet for nutritious food and may lower your risk for candida overgrowth.
Effectiveness
Research is limited regarding the effectiveness of the standard "candida diet," which prohibits added sugars, alcohol and food sources of yeast, according to UMMC, and it remains unknown whether the diet simply improves your wellness because of boosted nutrient intake, or actually minimizes candida. Reduced sugar intake has shown benefits for preventing yeast infections in some studies, however. Cutting back on added sugar can lead to improved nutrient intake, which boosts your body's ability to resist and heal from infections.
Suggestions
To help prevent yeast infections, replace sugary foods in your diet with vitamin C-rich foods, such as bell peppers, citrus fruits, kiwi, strawberries and tomatoes. Vitamin C helps reduce inflammation associated with candidiasis, according to the UMMC. Selenium, which is prevalent in whole grains, and vitamin E, which is found in nuts, seeds and vegetable oils, can also reduce inflammation and increase your body's protective and healing capabilities. Another way to consume acceptable amounts of sugar involves limiting sugary fare to 15 percent or less of your total calorie intake. Particularly sugar-rich foods to limit include soft drinks, candy, milk chocolate, pancake syrup, frozen desserts and commercially-based cakes, cookies and pie. Keep in mind that dietary changes are not meant to replace or precede medical treatment, but should serve as a complementary therapy.
