Home remedies that can help prevent and treat urinary tract infections (UTIs). These include drinking plenty of water, avoiding bladder irritants, and taking a cranberry supplement.
By adding garlic to your diet, you may help combat the bacteria responsible for UTIs. Vitamin C boosts your immunity and acidifies urine, inhibiting some types of bacteria growth.
Drinking plenty of water
Drinking plenty of water daily – at least 1.5 to 2 liters – is an effective natural cure for bladder infection. Not only does it flush away bacteria and reduce urinary tract inflammation, but it may also decrease your chances of developing an infection in the future.
According to a study, women with cystitis who increased their daily water intake experienced a 50% reduction in urinary tract infections (UTIs). This was likely due to their bodies becoming less conducive to bacteria due to the water helping them flush out infections more quickly.
Additionally, it is essential to avoid beverages which may irritate your bladder, such as alcohol and coffee. Instead, try switching to a dandelion or chicory coffee alternative which may aid digestion and soothe pain or discomfort.
Avoiding foods that irritate the bladder
What you eat and drink has a significant effect on your bladder health. Certain foods can irritate it, leading to painful or uncomfortable symptoms.
If you believe a certain food or beverage may be irritating your bladder, try cutting back for a few days to identify which item may be causing symptoms to worsen. This will help identify which item may be causing the discomfort.
Caffeine, found in coffee and tea, can exacerbate symptoms of an overactive bladder. To see if that helps, reduce your caffeine consumption or switch to decaf if possible.
Sweeteners, such as sugar and artificial sweeteners, may aggravate bladder symptoms in some individuals. Limiting your sugar or sweetener consumption may help alleviate these symptoms.
Spicy foods, such as chili peppers and spicy salsa, can aggravate bladder irritation. To reduce these items in your diet or replace them with healthier options like fresh fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins, try cutting back on these items in your meals.
Processed foods, such as canned soups, broths and meats can irritate your bladder due to preservatives, benzyl alcohol and monosodium glutamate (MSG).
Avoiding alcohol
Alcohol can irritate the bladder and lead to urinary tract symptoms even if you don’t have an active infection. This is because alcohol dehydrates your body, making your urine more concentrated.
Drinking plenty of water can help combat a urinary tract infection by diluting your urine and flushing out bacteria. However, drinking too much alcohol will make the urine more acidic, which could irritate the bladder and worsen UTI symptoms.
Alcohol also increases the frequency of urination and dehydrates you, which can be bad news if you have a UTI since more frequent urination could exacerbate the infection and increase pain from it.
If you have a UTI, it is essential to avoid alcohol as well as other foods and drinks which irritate the bladder. For instance, artificial sweeteners, spicy foods, coffee, acidic fruits and citrus juices can all exacerbate symptoms.
Taking cranberry supplements
Cranberries contain A-type proanthocyanidins, which inhibit bacteria from attaching to your bladder wall and may reduce your risk for developing a urinary tract infection (UTI).
However, it’s essential to remember that cranberries may cause harm to certain individuals if they have kidney disease or take certain drugs. Thus, consulting a doctor before taking cranberry supplements or any other dietary supplement is always recommended.
Studies have suggested that cranberry juice and supplements may reduce your risk of getting a bladder infection, though more research is necessary to confirm their effectiveness. Furthermore, these treatments don’t seem to benefit everyone equally.