Should you actually drink cranberry juice if you have a UTI? See which drinks are recommended to aid your recovery, and which ones you should avoid altogether.
Key takeaways:
- UTIs (urinary tract infections) are a bacterial infection of the bladder, urethra, or kidneys that usually need antibiotic treatment.
- Drinking fluids helps people recover from a UTI. The best things to drink when you have a UTI are water, electrolyte drinks that are low in sugar, and unsweetened cranberry juice.
- You should avoid drinks that can irritate your bladder when you have a UTI like caffeinated beverages, acidic drinks, and alcohol.
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Most people know exactly when they’re developing a UTI (urinary tract infection). Common UTI symptoms like pain or burning with peeing and the urge to go more often are hard to miss.
Starting treatment with an antibiotic is usually the fastest way to feeling better. But what you drink when you have a UTI can also affect your symptoms. Here’s the best things to drink when you have a UTI and a few you should avoid.
What is the best thing to drink when you have a UTI?
Drinking plenty of fluids helps you recover from a UTI. Drinking liquids and making more urine helps flush bacteria out of your urinary system faster. Staying hydrated also helps your immune system perform at its best so you can fight off your infection and recover more quickly.
But when you have a UTI, some drinks are better for you than others. Here are four drinks to try:
1. Water
Water should be your go-to when you have a UTI. It keeps you hydrated without any added sugar or chemicals. Plus, if you have a fever, water also helps replace the fluid your body loses from overheating.
Another benefit: If you’re prone to UTIs, there’s evidence that drinking more water can lower your risk of developing UTIs in the future. In one study, women who had uncomplicated bladder infections increased their water intake by 1.5 liters each day. These women were less likely to develop UTIs than those who drank less water each day.
2. Electrolyte drinks
Premade electrolyte drinks contain electrolytes, water, and sugar. While they may not be the best option for everyday hydration, electrolyte drinks can help if you have a UTI.
When you’re sick, you lose water and electrolytes faster than usual. If you have nausea and vomiting, you lose water and electrolytes, too.
Most people can keep up by drinking water alone. But if you’re experiencing vomiting or diarrhea, or you can’t stomach eating while you’re feeling sick, consider drinking electrolyte drinks.
3. Unsweetened cranberry juice
Studies show that cranberry products can help prevent UTIs. It’s not clear if drinking cranberry juice when you already have a UTI will make it go away faster. But some people feel better if they drink cranberry juice when they have a UTI.
Science has yet to prove whether it’s the cranberry juice or drinking extra fluids that makes people feel better. But if you enjoy cranberry juice, you can drink it while taking antibiotics. Make sure to stay away from cranberry cocktail juice, which is high in sugar.
4. Probiotic yogurt drinks
Probiotics are live “good” bacteria that have many health benefits. Lactobacillus is a “good bacteria” that lives in the genital area. It may help keep bacteria like E. Coli from growing and causing UTIs.
There’s no evidence that probiotics can treat a UTI, but probiotics can help rebuild your natural microbiome. There’s evidence that they can help you avoid diarrhea from taking antibiotics for UTI treatment.
You can try adding a probiotic yogurt drink to your daily fluid intake when you’re taking antibiotics. Just make sure you aren’t only relying on probiotic drinks — they won’t have enough water to keep you hydrated. Also, probiotic drinks aren’t all the same, so make sure to check the label for Lactobacillus.
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