Foods to Fight and Prevent Urinary Tract Infections
If you’re susceptible to urinary tract infections (UTIs), you’ll have to alter your diet. And yes, this goes way beyond drinking cranberry juice. The food we eat, as well as the acidity of our urine, influence how well bacteria can or cannot grow in our urinary tracts.
Symptoms of Urinary Tract Infections:
- Pain when you urinate
- You feel like you have to urinate often, but not much urine comes out when you do.
- Vomiting followed by fever
- Pain in one side of your back under your ribs
- Urine smells bad
Here are some natural remedies that can be used to fight Urinary Tract Infection.
Water
Cleaning your system with water when you have UTI is essential. Water helps flush bacteria and germs away and when the bacteria get flushed out, the burning sensation that often goes along with UTI is lessened. Drink at least 8 cups of water on a regular basis and at least 12 cups when you have UTI. When you have urine infection, plain water, non-sugared herbal teas or cranberry juice is the best! Drinking water everyday should be a must for everyone to prevent UTIs. Water helps with so many other functions as well.
Cranberry Juice
This is perhaps the oldest remedy for urine infections and is a popular one. Some studies have found that cranberries contain compounds that seem to prevent bacteria from setting up in the lining of the urinary tract. In order to get benefit of this you must consume pure unsweetened cranberry juice, easily available at health food stores. Drinking cranberry juice regularly to prevent urinary tract infection is not a bad idea for those disposed to UTIs.
Lemon Juice
Lemon juice works the same way as Vitamin C. Conversely this makes the body more alkaline which is again the best state for the body to be able to fight off urine infection. Drinking water with fresh lemon juice or organic pure lemon juice is a good practice for those predisposed to UTI.
Pineapple
Pineapple contains an enzyme called bromelain that may decrease soreness from infection and may even kill bacteria and viruses, which would make it effective to heal UTI. Add pineapple to your diet to trat urine infection.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C keeps your bladder and urethra fit and working well. It also makes your urine more acidic, which helps prevent bacteria from growing and causing UTIs. Popping a Vitamin C capsule or getting good food sources of Vitamin C is great for many other conditions as well.
Probiotics
Flush your digestive tract with healthy bacteria which strengthen your immune system and help hold off infection. Eating yogurt will give you a dose of healthy probiotics. You can also take a course of natural probiotic pills if you find the symptoms of UTI.
