CRANBERRY JUICE AND NOW, EAT

Cranberry juice is a popular treatment for UTI infections—and for good reason. A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows that drinking cranberry juice regularly (at least 8 ounces daily) could reduce urinary tract infections in women who’ve suffered from them previously by as much as 40 percent. The study also indicated that this could reduce the need for antibiotics worldwide.

Cranberries have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial effects against bacterial infections. Antioxidants also aid in clearing out infections quickly, allowing the body to recover. Additionally, cranberries are beneficial for supporting the gut microbiome and the immune system, as well as protecting the cardiovascular system.

There are currently no set guidelines regarding how much cranberry juice should be taken as a UTI treatment, but as per most recommendations, it’s advisable to drink 400 milliliters of at least 25 percent pure cranberry juice daily.

A good start is to load up on vitamin C–rich foods or take a supplement. Vitamin C reacts with nitrates in the body and produces nitrogen oxide, a substance that helps eliminate bacteria. It also makes urine more acidic, inhibits the growth of bacteria, and enhances immune function. A 2007 study found that a daily intake of 100 milligrams of vitamin C during pregnancy reduced urinary infections over a three-month-period. However, if you’re currently dealing with a UTI, take up to 6,000 milligrams of vitamin C. (Although vitamin C is non-toxic, too much can cause diarrhea.) Foods high in vitamin C include citrus fruits, peppers, strawberries, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts.

Once you’re doing good foods, include those that are a good source of probiotics. Probiotics help support the human body’s normal flora, which serves as a line of defense. These live, beneficial microorganisms promote optimal urinary tract health and may keep infection at bay by preventing bacteria from sticking to the urinary tract and competing with pathogenic bacteria for resources. Clinical studies show that probiotics can prevent UTIs just as effectively as conventional antibiotics. Try some fermented foods like kefir, kimchi, probiotic yogurt, sauerkraut, miso, pickles, tempeh, and kombucha. If you’d rather supplement, make sure your probiotic blend contains at least 10–20 billion colony-forming units (CFUs).

Garlic is another goody. Allicin, one of the active compounds of freshly crushed raw garlic, has a variety of antimicrobial activities. In its pure form, allicin exhibits antibacterial properties against a wide range of bacteria, including multi-drug-resistant strains of E. coli. Garlic also has antifungal properties and is particularly helpful in treating yeast infections.

Of course, getting plenty of vitamin D is always a good idea. Many health issues can be prevented or treated by adequate daily intake of vitamin D, and UTIs are one of them. Vitamin D helps increase production of special antimicrobial peptides in the body that prevent infection from harmful bacteria, fungi, and viruses, including the ones that trigger UTIs.