Can changing my diet help prevent a UTI?

According to the NHS, around 50% of British women will need treatment for at least one urinary tract infection (UTI) during their lifetime.* But for many women, UTIs occur much more frequently.

A UTI develops when part of your urinary system – that’s your bladder, urethra, kidneys and ureters – becomes infected. Bacteria enter through the urethra or bloodstream (this is less common) and then multiply in the urine. While there’s usually no obvious reason for the infection, some women find they develop after sex.

UTIs can be treated using antibiotics, but taking them regularly means you also risk repeatedly killing off the ‘good’ bacteria as well as the bad, and building up an antibiotic resistance. So, rather than waiting for symptoms to appear, there are ways you can minimise the risk of developing an infection in the first place:

Drink lots of water – aim for at least 2 litres a day
I’m the first to admit this can be hard work, but there’s really no better way to flush out the kidneys and urinary system to remove the waste products that have been filtered out of your blood. (Keep checking back here, I’ll be posting some great tips soon on how to get your 2 litres a day.)

Have a glass of cranberry juice with breakfast (or lunch, or dinner!)
Cranberries contain a type of acid (hippuric acid) that makes your urine more acidic, which in turn prevents bacteria from attaching to the bladder walls. If you find pure cranberry juice too bitter, try diluting it with a little soda water. (It’s best to avoid sweetened juices, as researchers have found these to be less effective.)

Swap your usual snacks for an additional boost
Plums and prunes will help acidify your urine (they contain the same type of acid as cranberries), as will yoghurt with active cultures (this will also help towards your daily calcium intake, just choose a low-fat option), and peanuts and walnuts.

And if that’s not enough…
Try incorporating corn, lentils and beans, and more grains into your diet too, as they’ve all been shown to increase the acidity of urine.

It’s important to bear in mind that any dietary changes you make should be viewed as a preventative measure. Leaving a UTI untreated can lead to serious complications, such as kidney damage and blood poisoning, so please always consult your GP if you suspect you’ve developed an infection.

*Source, NHS Choices 2009