Best Foods For UTI (Urinary Tract Infection) Management

Urinary tract infection is a medical issue that commonly develops in women. According to statistics, at least 50 to 60 percent of women and 12 percent of men suffer from urinary tract infections at one point in their lives.

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a condition that isn't easy to get rid of. UTI may also recur if you do not maintain a personal hygiene routine. Hence, UTIs scare everyone.

Dealing with UTI becomes more difficult if you have a full-time corporate job. Delivering quality work while tackling the discomfort related to urinary tract infections is a hurdle.

It all sounds very problematic, doesn't it? This is where we come into the picture to rescue you from such worrying thoughts. Do you suspect you have a UTI, or have you been diagnosed with it recently and want to explore natural remedies? If so, you have landed in the right place.

This article holds everything that you need to know - what is urinary tract infection, the symptoms of a UTI, and the best foods for UTI management. In addition, you will get an insight into how to manage urinary tract infections as a working individual.

About urinary tract infection

A urinary tract infection occurs when there is a bacterial infection anywhere in the urinary system. In most cases, the bacteria E. coli causes UTI, and in rare cases, the fungus Candida albicans is also seen to cause it.

Bacteria, a microscopic organism, is naturally present in many parts of the body, including the urinary system. This means the body's urine also contains a tiny amount of bacteria. But how does UTI develop? The bacteria causing UTI transports from the vaginal opening or the rectum and reaches the urethra. It eventually infects the kidneys, ureters, and urinary bladder.

Symptoms of a UTI

The signs and symptoms of a UTI may sometimes be too subtle to understand. Some commonly observed signs related to urinary tract infection (UTI) include:

• The frequent need to urinate
• Burning sensation when you urinate
• Passing of red to brown-colored urine
• Urine that gives off an odd smell
• Pain in the pelvic area among women
• Feeling an unusual pressure around the lower pelvic area

In extreme cases, when the infection aggravates further and spreads to the kidneys and ureters, the symptoms may look like these mentioned below:

• Painful intercourse
• Fever and chills
• Experiencing nausea and vomiting
• Unexplained pain in your back

Best foods for UTI management naturally

A healthier lifestyle is seen to eliminate mild urinary tract infections. Doctors commonly prescribe antibiotics to treat the condition. However, there are certain foods and drinks which can treat the infection. Below is a list of those foods for UTI management:

1. Cranberry juice

Cranberry juice has gained quite a popularity when it comes to treating urinary tract infections. Doctors even prescribe cranberry juice along with antibiotics to patients suffering from this condition.

Cranberry juice, however, has a dual image in this regard. Some debate whether cranberry or cranberry juice should not be counted as one of the foods for UTI treatment. Limited yet legitimate statistics nevertheless suggest the opposite.

Cranberries are a natural source of antioxidant compounds like phenolic acid and flavonoids. Consumption of cranberry juice helps increase the pH level of the urine. And keeping a high pH level of urine helps treat and also reduces the risk of developing the infection in the first place.

The antioxidants that are present in cranberry are believed to perform functions like:

• Disrupt the ability of the bacteria to infiltrate inside the urinary tract
• Reduce any inflammation arising from the infection
• Regulate the bacterial growth that naturally occurs in the gut and the bladder lining

Consumption directions:

Drinking approximately 240 ml - 300 ml of cranberry juice per day is advisable to get the best results from this food for UTI management. Avoid the commercial cranberry juice available on the market. These have high sugar content and no health benefits. Rather, purchase cranberry juice from a pharmacist.

For working individuals, we suggest you carry and store cranberry juice at your workplace. If required, you can set reminders to consume it.

2. Water

Water is mankind's ultimate savior. Its benefits are endless and include the treatment of urinary tract infections. Yes! It is one of the top pieces of advice you will hear regarding UTI management.

Experts say that drinking large amounts of water helps to flush out bacteria from the body. Hence stay hydrated as much as possible. It is one of the best foods for UTIs and is free.

Consumption directions:

Doctors advise those diagnosed with UTI to drink about 6 to 8 glasses of water daily. This amounts to approximately 1.5 to 2 liters of water every day. If you often forget to stay hydrated while working, you can take the help of corporate wellness apps such as Vantage Fit to receive reminders.

3. Probiotic rich foods for UTI

Diet experts often recommend the consumption of probiotic rich foods to lead a healthier lifestyle. But what do probiotics mean?

Probiotic, in fact, refers to those microorganisms that can be consumed to enjoy their health benefits. This sounds terrifying, but it is legit. You have been consuming probiotics for a long time now. One example is yogurt, which contains the good bacteria, Lactobacillus.

Some popular probiotic rich foods for UTI treatment that you can try are:

• Yogurt or curd
• Kombucha
• Natto
• Buttermilk
• Fermented soybeans
• Sauerkraut

Consumption directions:

If you want to treat yourself naturally, it is advisable to consume a maximum of these foods for UTI management. The smartest way to add such foods for UTI cure into your diet is to have them in your office lunch. Additionally, keep yogurt or curd handy in your bag, and relish it after lunch.

4. Green Veggies

Growing up, almost everyone disliked eating leafy and green vegetables in any meal. And almost every parent used to make their child eat leafy veggies somehow, saying it's good for their skin, eyes, and health. Moreover, even animators created the fictional character "Popeye the Sailorman," encouraging their target audience to eat their leafy vegetables, especially spinach.

Image source: Tenor

Green vegetables are a popular source of antioxidants and Vitamin C. These components actively help minimize the symptoms of a UTI and reduce the risk of developing it. Veggies that fall under the category of foods for UTI are:

• Lettuce
• Kale
• Spinach
• Coriander leaves
• Seasonal green leafy vegetables
• Broccoli
• Pumpkin
• Squash
• Ginger and garlic

Consumption directions:

If you dislike consuming vegetables, you can try contemporary recipes easily available online. You can google easy lunch recipes to cook the veggies, and voila, you will surely come across something of your liking.

5. Fresh fruits

Fresh fruits are a great source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants offering many health benefits. One of them includes treating urinary tract infections. However, avoid consuming too many acidic fruits like oranges, lemons, and grapefruits when you are infected. Eating acidic fruits while suffering from UTI is known only to irritate your bladder more.

Consumption directions:

Keep some fruits of your choice, excluding acidic ones, on your desk. Munch on them as you do your best at work.

How to deal with Urinary Tract Infections as a corporate employee?

Keeping your creativity and productivity game strong is necessary to perform well at work. But when you suffer from a condition like a urinary tract infection, it becomes a troublesome situation. Here are some tips that will be helpful for every corporate employee with UTI:

• Keep your diet clean. Avoid spicy foods. And include the above-mentioned foods for UTI treatment in the form of lunch or snacks.

• Wear loose-fitting clothes to work. Wearing too tight-fitted clothes will likely irritate your body and negatively impact your infection.

• Use the restroom as and when required. Never delay your visits to the restroom. If you hold back nature’s call, it affects your urinary system negatively, including the UTI.

Bottom line

Urinary tract infections become complicated to treat if ignored for too long. If you are suspicious about having a UTI and have been experiencing symptoms of UTI, consult your doctor immediately. Follow the medical advice as prescribed by the doctor. At the same time, you can start taking the the above-mentioned foods for UTI management.

To be on the safe side, confirm with your doctor before adopting any natural remedies. Moreover, doctors usually recommend what food and beverages to avoid, what you can eat, and what to avoid in such circumstances. If you are not briefed properly, probe your doctor for the dietary details.

Beat the infection before it beats you!