Randy Chandler
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are usually treated with antibiotics, but certain foods may irritate the bladder and worsen symptoms during treatment. A Dutch study found that eating cheese may help fight antibiotic resistance in UTIs. The study concluded that participants who consumed more cheese had lower odds of getting a resistant UTI, while those who ate more chicken or pork had a higher probability of their infections being resistant to antibiotics. While more research is needed to understand the exact mechanism, the dietary advice is clear for those who have struggled with this painful medical issue: eating cheese may help reduce the chances of antibiotic-resistant UTIs.
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What You'll Learn
Cheese may help fight antibiotic resistance in UTIs
While dietary changes are not considered a risk factor for UTIs, certain foods may irritate the bladder and worsen symptoms during treatment. Typically, UTIs are treated with antibiotics prescribed by a doctor. However, a Dutch study has found that eating cheese may help fight antibiotic resistance in urinary tract infections (UTIs).
The study, conducted in the Ommoord district of Rotterdam, Netherlands, between 2000 and 2016, tested the urinary tract infections (UTIs) of residents for resistance to various antibiotic drugs. The researchers found that those who consumed a lot of chicken had a high probability of their UTIs demonstrating resistance to cefotaxime and amoxicillin, which are on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines. Similarly, a diet high in pork was linked to increased resistance to norfloxacin.
On the other hand, the study found that participants who consumed more pasteurized cheese had a lower likelihood of their UTIs being resistant to amoxicillin, the most common type of resistance in the study. Cheese consumption was also associated with reduced resistance to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid. The findings suggest that eating cheese may help lower the odds of antibiotic-resistant UTIs, while diets high in chicken and pork may increase the probability of drug-resistant UTIs.
While the exact mechanism behind cheese's potential benefits in fighting antibiotic resistance remains unclear, one hypothesis is that cheese helps cultivate a healthy gut microbiota. This, in turn, may create an environment that makes it challenging for antibiotic-resistant bacteria to attach and proliferate in the body. Further research is needed to fully understand the relationship between cheese consumption and reduced UTI antibiotic resistance.
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A varied and balanced diet can prevent UTIs
While there is limited research on how diet affects the risk of developing UTIs, certain dietary patterns may increase susceptibility to UTIs. A varied and balanced diet can prevent UTIs and help speed up the healing process.
Firstly, it is important to avoid foods that irritate the bladder. These include caffeine, alcohol, carbonated beverages, and foods high in sugar. Caffeine and alcohol are diuretics, which means they prompt your body to produce more urine, leading to more frequent urination. Bladder-irritating beverages include coffee, tea, soda, and artificially sweetened beverages. Foods high in sugar include refined sugar, soft drinks, cakes, breads, desserts, sweets, and chocolates.
Secondly, it is recommended to avoid pro-inflammatory foods, which can interfere with recovery by promoting the inflammatory process in the body. Processed meats, such as sausages, ham, and mortadella, are examples of pro-inflammatory foods.
Thirdly, it is beneficial to consume diuretic foods, which increase urine production and help eliminate the bacteria causing the infection. Examples of diuretic foods include water, onions, watermelon, asparagus, parsley, soursop, cucumber, and carrots.
In addition to these specific food groups, some research suggests that vegetarian diets may protect against UTIs by making urine less acidic and neutral, which helps prevent the growth of bacteria associated with UTIs. Fruits and vegetables have low PRALs (potential renal acid loads), making urine less acidic. Conversely, red meat and other animal proteins have high PRALs, making urine more acidic.
While a healthy diet of antioxidant-rich foods is important and can help relieve a UTI, it is crucial to seek medical advice and follow your doctor's recommendations for treatment, which may include antibiotics.
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Caffeine and alcohol can irritate the bladder
While cheese has been found to reduce the likelihood of antibiotic-resistant UTIs, caffeine and alcohol are known bladder irritants that can worsen UTI symptoms.
Caffeine excites the brain, which controls the bladder, and can make you urinate more frequently. Alcohol is a diuretic, which means it makes your body produce more urine, leading to more frequent urination. This can be especially problematic when you're already urinating more often due to a UTI.
In addition to caffeine and alcohol, other bladder irritants include carbonation, nicotine, spicy foods, acidic foods, and certain types of medicine. Consuming these substances can irritate the bladder and exacerbate symptoms of overactive bladder syndrome (OAB).
To promote bladder health and reduce irritation, it is recommended to limit or avoid caffeine and alcohol intake, especially when treating a UTI. It is also important to stay hydrated by drinking enough water and avoiding overhydration.
While cheese may not directly irritate the bladder, its role in fighting antibiotic resistance in UTIs is noteworthy. Studies have shown that a diet rich in pasteurized cheese reduces the likelihood of UTIs resistant to common antibiotics like amoxicillin. This may be due to cheese's ability to cultivate healthy gut microbiota, making it harder for antibiotic-resistant bacteria to thrive in the body.
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Sugary drinks increase the acidity of urine
While there is no direct link between cheese and UTIs, a study has found that eating cheese may help fight antibiotic resistance in UTIs. The study, conducted in the Netherlands, found that participants who consumed more cheese had lower odds of developing antibiotic-resistant UTIs. Specifically, a diet rich in pasteurized cheese reduced the likelihood of UTIs resistant to amoxicillin, the most common type of antibiotic resistance found in the study. Cheese consumption also lowered resistance to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid.
The mechanism behind this connection is not yet fully understood. One hypothesis suggests that eating cheese helps cultivate a healthy gut microbiota, making it difficult for antibiotic-resistant bacteria to grow in the body. However, more research is needed to confirm this relationship and establish the specific ways in which cheese lowers UTI antibiotic-resistance rates.
Regarding sugary drinks, they can indeed increase the acidity of urine. This is due to the high inorganic acid content in these beverages. Consuming sugary drinks will result in acidification of the urine, as indicated by a urine pH level of less than 7.0. This increased acidity can have negative health consequences, such as the formation of uric acid stones, a type of kidney stone.
To maintain a healthy urine pH level, it is recommended to limit the consumption of sugary drinks and other acid-producing foods. A balanced diet that includes plenty of alkalizing fruits and vegetables is generally recommended. Additionally, drinking water is advised, as it helps increase urine production and facilitates the elimination of bacteria that cause UTIs. Overall, while cheese may not directly impact UTIs, it could play a role in reducing antibiotic resistance associated with these infections. At the same time, sugary drinks should be consumed in moderation to avoid increasing the acidity of urine and potentially causing related health issues.
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Probiotic foods can speed up recovery
While cheese is not directly mentioned as a probiotic food, some sources suggest that it may help to fight antibiotic resistance in UTIs. A diet rich in pasteurized cheese was found to reduce the likelihood of a UTI with resistance to common antibiotics. Cheese consumption was also associated with reduced resistance to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid.
Probiotic foods are beneficial for speeding up recovery from UTIs. Natural yogurt is a probiotic food that can help with this. Probiotics can support the growth of healthy bacteria in the urinary tract, which may help to alleviate UTI symptoms.
In addition to probiotics, a varied and balanced diet can prevent UTIs and aid in faster healing. It is recommended to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, as this increases urine production and helps to eliminate bacteria. Diuretic foods, such as onions, watermelon, asparagus, parsley, soursop, cucumber, and carrots, can also be beneficial.
On the other hand, certain foods and drinks should be avoided during UTI recovery as they can irritate the bladder and worsen symptoms. These include caffeine, alcohol, chocolate, citrus fruits, and sugary drinks. Caffeine and alcohol are diuretics, which increase urine production and aggravate the bladder. Chocolate contains sugar and caffeine, leading to increased urine frequency and urgency. Citrus fruits and sugary drinks can increase the acidity of urine, providing a conducive environment for UTI-causing bacteria to grow.
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Frequently asked questions
Cheese does not treat a UTI, but it may lower the odds of antibiotic-resistant UTIs. A diet rich in pasteurized cheese cuts the likelihood of a UTI with resistance to the most common type in one study—resistance to the drug, amoxicillin.
Foods and drinks to avoid when treating a UTI include coffee, tea, caffeinated sodas, chocolate, alcohol, citrus fruits, tomatoes, and carbonated beverages.
Drinking plenty of water can help relieve and prevent UTIs. Probiotic foods, such as natural yogurt, can also speed up recovery.
