The problem with grapefruit juice in regards to urinary tract infections is that many commercial sites recommend grapefruit juice as a cure for urinary tract infections, when no currently published study supports these claims. Trying to self-treat a urinary tract infection with grapefruit juice could be a problem because your urinary tract infection could worsen or spread if not properly treated.
Grapefruit Seed Extract
Perhaps the theory that grapefruit juice can get rid of urinary tract infections came into existence due to the fact that grapefruit seed extract is purported to get rid of urinary tract infections. Grapefruit seed extract, sold and marketed as an antimicrobial, may be able to fight off bacterial infections that cause urinary tract infections, as well as viruses, fungi and yeast. But the chemicals in many grapefruit seed extract products, not the grapefruit pulp and seeds they contain, provide the infection-fighting abilities. If you purchase grapefruit seed extract that contains only grapefruit, it won't work. If you purchase one that contain chemicals, it might, according to Donal O'Mathuna, an herbal researcher who analyzed grapefruit seed extract studies for The Irish Times.
Poison
This doesn't mean that you should treat your urinary tract infection with grapefruit seed extract instead of grapefruit juice. Chemicals commonly added to grapefruit seed extract products include benzethonium chloride, a class 2 poison, according to O'Mathuna. Benzethonium chloride can cause convulsions and comas. It can also interfere with your body's absorption of medications. If, for example, you take birth control pills, benzethonium chloride could prevent the pills from being properly metabolized. Your estrogen levels could increase, leaving you vulnerable to side effects such as blood clots. Not all grapefruit seed extract supplements contain benzethonium chloride, but a product label will not necessarily reveal its presence.
Traditional Treatment
Traditionally, urinary tract infections are treated with antibiotics. When you first develop a urinary tract infection, it will typically only affect your urethra and bladder. If your urinary tract infection isn’t properly treated, however, it can spread to your kidneys and you can develop a kidney infection. Some kidney infections turn deadly. It could be a grave error to attempt to treat a urinary tract infection with grapefruit juice, thinking the grapefruit juice is fighting it off when the infection may be getting worse and spreading to your kidneys.
Drug Interactions and Side Effects
While grapefruit juice is not known to have any ability to cure a urinary tract infection, it is known to cause side effects with many medications. Grapefruit, like benzethonium chloride, slows your metabolism of some medications. Drugs affected by grapefruit and grapefruit juice include immunosuppressants, calcium channel blockers, birth control pills and statins. Some herbal remedies, including red yeast rice, and over-the-counter antihistamines could also interact adversely with grapefruit juice. If you take medications of any kind, talk to your doctor about including grapefruit juice in your diet.
References
- MayoClinic.com; Urinary Tract Infection; June 26, 2010
- “The Irish Times”; Peel Back the Hype; Donal O’Mathuna; March 24, 2009
- “Pharmazie”; Aspects of the Antimicrobial Efficacy of Grapefruit Seed Extract and Its Relation to Preservative Substances Contained; T. von Woedtke et al; June 1999
- Denver Naturopathic; Why We Don't Sell Grapefruit Seed Extract; July 21, 2005
- The Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide: Grapefruit and Medication: A Cautionary Note; February 2006
- “The New York Times”; Experts Reveal the Secret Powers of Grapefruit Juice; Nicholas Bakalar; March 21, 2006
- The People's Pharmacy; Graedons' Guide to Grapefruit Interactions; 2002
