Foods To Avoid in 2022 During UTI
Urinary tract infections are one of the common concerns of any woman's health. And, of course, that includes women. However, the fact remains that urinary tract infections in women are relatively more common than in men. UTI is often caused by a bacterium called Escherichia coli which attacks the bladder and kidneys causing severe pain, fever and even blood in the urine or a bad smell. People at the highest risk of suffering from UTI are women who have just given birth or have an instrument inserted into their urethra, such as in the case of abortion or checking for fertility-related problems.
How does your diet effects UTI?
Diet plays a crucial role in treating urinary tract infections (UTIs) and is one of the keys to preventing them from occurring. The urine that passes out of your body contains several substances, such as urea, leftover from protein breakdown. These substances can irritate the urinary tract lining, so it is essential to maintain optimum hydration by drinking water.
Water is not only good for keeping your UTI under control. It also helps flush out any bacteria present in your bladder and kidneys. In addition, ensuring you get enough fluids will help prevent infection or speed up recovery if you're already suffering from an infection.
If you're prone to urinary tract infections, it's possible that your diet could be the culprit. A UTI occurs when bacteria from the gastrointestinal tract, such as E. coli travel through the urethra and bladder. Overgrowth of these bacteria can lead to an infection that causes burning and pain in the lower abdomen and frequent urination. Treating a UTI involves rest, hydration and over-the-counter medications to help relieve symptoms, but if you want to prevent them altogether, keep reading for some don'ts in your diet:
A break from caffeine:
Caffeine is a stimulant that causes the nervous system to react by increasing urine production. It is also known to irritate the bladder and worsen bladder infection symptoms. If you are trying to get rid of your UTI, try a mug of noncaffeinated herbal tea to replace your morning coffee ritual until you are UTI-free.
Alcohol affects your immune system and makes you more susceptible to infections of the bladder. In addition, alcohol is a diuretic, which causes an increase in urine production. Because urine contains bacteria from the upper urinary tract, drinking alcohol may increase the risk of infection.
No spicy food:
Spice might be good for your overall health, but it is definitely not beneficial for your vaginal health. Especially, pizza toppings like Jalapenos, chilli flakes make your vagina prone to UTI. In addition, spices tend to irritate your bladder function and might worsen the infection.
Artificial sweeteners:
Artificial sweeteners might look like a healthy replacement, but they are more harmful. For example, your bladder infection might worsen after having these products.
Citrus fruits:
Though fruits are good for your health, sometimes orange, grapes, and lime are good to avoid in UTI. Also, try to avoid juices and any product that consists of these fruits.
You can have cranberry in UTI. However, it doesn't let the UTI bacteria attach to your urinary wall. Cranberry supplements are also good to prevent and cure UTI. For example, andMe's plant-based UTI drink is filled with the goodness of Ayurvedic herbs and plants.