Hydrating Remedies: All You Need to Know About UTI Drinks
Urinary Tract Infections are an uncomfortable health issue for all age groups alike.
However, as dangerous as Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) are to human health, they are often preventable.
Preventing UTIs requires consuming drinks that can help develop immunity to resist infections.
These UTI drinks vary from simple water to more complex beverages like probiotics.
On the other hand, you need to avoid several drinks that can further worsen your UTI symptoms.
Let us look at this interesting topic of UTI drinks and discuss their benefits.
What to drink for a UTI
Drinking a lot of fluids helps treat and soothe the symptoms of Urinary Tract Infections.
Staying adequately hydrated using different drinks helps make more urine needed to flush out the bacteria involved in Urinary Tract Infections.
Let us look at some of the best drinks for UTI that you can use for better results in your recovery.
Water
There is no better drink for UTI than water, as it hydrates you without adding calories or chemicals to your body.
Drinking plenty of water replenishes the water that is lost by the body during its battle with UTI pathogens.
Urine takes longer to form without proper hydration, which enables the bacteria to multiply faster in the bladder.
Research has proven that drinking water reduces the chances of UTIs in the bladder and helps treat recurrent UTIs.
Cranberry juice
Cranberry juice is one of the most essential natural remedies against Urinary Tract Infections.
It is effective against Escherichia coli, the most widespread pathogen causing UTIs.
The benefit of cranberry juice lies in the simple fact that it is a natural remedy with no side effects, unlike antibiotics.
Drinking fresh cranberries regularly can provide you with the maximum benefits.
Electrolyte drinks
One of the most common symptoms of UTI is vomiting and nausea, which causes our body to lose essential minerals and salts.
Doctors recommend consuming electrolyte drinks, like sports drinks, to decrease the chances of dehydration caused by vomiting and nausea.
Either premade electrolytic drinks or natural alternatives like coconut water can be used as an electrolytic drink.
Raw carrot juice
This may be surprising, but carrots are also an effective solution against UTI.
A study on pregnant women suffering from UTI infections showed that most women recovered by consuming raw carrot juice.
Drinking the juice of raw carrots is important as cooking can destroy its important chemicals.
Blueberry juice
Blueberry juice works similarly to cranberry juice and prevents incidences of UTI infections.
Blueberries contain antioxidants like anthocyanins, which have antibacterial properties and have been shown to specifically target UTI pathogens without harming any good bacteria in the body.
Drinking blueberry juice can increase the effectiveness of antibiotics and accelerate the recovery process in UTI treatment.
Citrus fruits juices
Fruit juices like those of lemon and strawberry have been shown by research to prevent the growth of UTI bacteria.
Drinking the juices of these fruits can help shield you from future UTI infections.
Probiotic drinks
Fermented foods with live bacteria like Lactobacillus are called Probiotics.
Probiotics contain live good bacteria, which suppress the growth of UTI-causing bacteria, thus preventing UTI occurrence.
Some probiotic drinks are yogurt, kombucha, unfiltered apple cider vinegar, and buttermilk.
What drinks you should avoid if you have a UTI
Although there are excellent options regarding UTI drinks, only some are beneficial.
Sometimes, the damage caused by some drinks far outweighs their benefits.
Let us discuss what drinks to avoid during UTI.
Caffeinated drinks
Drinks containing caffeine, like soft drinks, coffee, tea, and soda, can worsen your Urinary Tract Infections.
Caffeine acts as a diuretic (increases urine production) and can enhance frequent urination problems during UTI.
It is best to temporarily suspend consumption of anything related to caffeine during UTI treatment.
Sugary drinks
The sugar present in sweetened soft drinks can increase your risks of getting an UTI.
A study found that carbonated soft drinks were responsible for enhancing the chances of contracting a UTI.
Furthermore, sugary drinks irritate your bladder and escalate the symptoms of Urinary Tract Infections.
It is advised to stay away from drinks with added sugar for better recovery from UTI.
Alcoholic beverages
Alcohol acts as a diuretic and causes bladder and kidney irritation.
Alcohol even interacts with antibiotics like Ciprofloxacin, which reduces the antibiotic activity in the body.
Complete abstinence from alcohol consumption during UTI treatment is a must.
Never consume alcohol if you have a recurrent problem of Urinary Tract Infections, and always let your physician know about your alcoholism beforehand if you have one.
Acidic drinks
While acidic drinks like citrus juices can help prevent UTIs, drinking them while undergoing treatment for UTIs is a bad idea.
Acidic drinks can irritate your bladder and worsen the symptoms.
You must wait until your infection has cured and drink citrus juices, like lime and orange juice to prevent future infections.
Preventing future infections
Preventing future UTI infections is an active method where we must always focus on developing good habits.
Staying properly hydrated by drinking at least four liters of water daily is essential.
Regularly consuming UTI drinks like cranberry juice, lemonade, and probiotics like yogurt can boost your body’s immunity to fight the infection.
Practicing good hygiene and urinating regularly without holding it in for a long time keeps your bladder healthy.
It is best to undergo medical checkups once or twice a year to monitor any incidence of UTI infections.
Takeaway
UTI drinks are used to make recovery from UTI easier and to prevent future infections.
There are two classes of UTI drinks: one that eases the symptoms and the other that prevents future problems.
Plain water, electrolytic drinks, and raw carrot juice have properties that help to recover faster from UTI infections.
Cranberry and blueberry juice, juice of citrus fruits, and probiotic drinks are drunk to prevent UTIs.
Always avoid alcohol, caffeinated drinks, and acidic drinks while suffering from UTIs.
Although relying on UTI drinks is great, it cannot replace proper hygiene and timely diagnosis with antibiotic treatments.
Consult your doctor for accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment for your Urinary Tract Infections if you notice any symptoms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can sugary drinks cause UTIs?
Yes, sugary drinks can increase your risk of UTIs. Drinks like soda and sweetened juices can irritate your bladder, cause frequent urination, and increase your symptoms if you already suffer from Urinary Tract Infections. If you drink sugary beverages, you must drink lots of water to minimize the effects of sugar.
What natural drinks are best for UTIs?
Several natural options can help you prevent and recover from UTI: cranberry and blueberry juice, raw carrot juice, probiotic drinks like yogurt and kombucha, and water. If you are feeling tired and need better options to hydrate yourself, having a sugar-free electrolytic drink can also help.
What should I eat or drink to cure UTI?
You can try different fruits like cranberries, blueberries, watermelon and probiotic foods like kimchi, sauerkraut, and Greek yogurt. You can drink fruit juices, raw carrot juice, kombucha, buttermilk, and electrolytic drinks to help you recover faster from UTI.
Which drinks can worsen my UTI?
Sugary drinks, alcohol, caffeinated drinks, coffee, and acidic drinks can worsen your UTI conditions. They can cause bladder irritation, reduce the efficiency of your antibiotic treatment, and aggravate your symptoms.
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