Eat This If You Want to Stop Getting UTIs

What you eat affects your health. No single food can really stop you from getting urinary tract infections (UTIs), but your diet choices may provide some extra production.

At Pro-Health Urgent Care of Midland, we see a lot of urinary tract infections (UTIs) at our urgent care clinic in Midland, Michigan. Our team understands the pain and discomfort that comes with these common infections and offers tips on how to protect yourself from getting them.

This month, learn what foods you can eat to improve urinary health and stop getting UTIs.

Yogurt

It’s the sourness that provides the protection from UTIs and other infections. Yogurt is a fermented food made by combining milk with a gut-friendly bacteria. The bacteria feeds off of the milk sugar, creating the lactic acid that thickens the milk and creates the distinct sour taste.

The friendly bacteria in the yogurt benefits your urinary system. It helps create a healthy balance of microorganisms in your body, giving your immune system extra protection from infections like UTIs. 

Choose yogurts without added sugar to get the good stuff without extra nonnutritive calories. 

Plant-based proteins

Escherichia coli (E. coli), an unfriendly bacteria, causes most UTIs. Meats and poultry are a major source of E. coli. Though there’s no direct link to eating meat and increased risk of UTIs, studies show that people who eat more plant-based diets get fewer UTIs.

So instead of steak and chicken, eat more plant-based proteins, such as:

• Beans, peas, and lentils
• Soy foods like tofu and edamame
• Nuts and seeds 
• Whole grains
• Vegetables

Eating more plant-based proteins may also improve your health and may help you live longer. 

Cranberry juice

Cranberry juice is often recommended for people who have UTIs as a way to stop and to help prevent infections. Cranberries and its juice contain proanthocyanidins (PACs), a substance that may stop bacteria from sticking to the wall of your bladder, preventing the infection. 

However, the evidence supporting the protective benefits of cranberry juice is mixed. Though the juice may not stop you from getting a UTI, drinking the juice may help some.

If you’re not a fan of the tart juice, blueberries are also rich in PACs. 

Cruciferous vegetables 

Cruciferous vegetables include spinach, kale, and broccoli. These vegetables are rich in nutrients your immune system needs to stay strong, including vitamin C, beta carotene, and zinc. These vegetables are also a good source of fiber, benefitting bowel health.

Though eating these nutrient-rich veggies may not stop you from getting UTIs, they can improve your defense against infection by enhancing the immune system and improving the removal of the bacteria that cause UTIs.

Water

Drinking a lot of water is also recommended to reduce risk of UTIs. Fluids increase urination, which helps flush out bacteria before they have a chance to take hold. 

Fluid needs vary, but you should aim for about 12 to 16 cups a day.

If you think you have a UTI, getting tested and treated can help you feel better fast. We provide urgent care appointments for UTIs. Call Pro-Health Urgent Care of Midland today or book your appointment online.