The best and worst drinks if you suffer from UTIs
Fizzy drinks full of sugars and sweeteners can often aggravate UTI symptoms, but some other more unassuming options like citrus fruit juices may also prove problematic in some instances. However, including more of helpful options such as water or good quality cranberry juice could help to alleviate the symptoms instead.
The top 5 worst drinks
Not only are there certain drinks that could be making your symptoms worse, but if you are drinking more of these, then it's most likely you're drinking less of what you should be drinking! Let's run through some of the drink options you're better off limiting:
1. Fizzy drinks - even the diet varieties
Most people know by now that fizzy drinks are loaded with sugar, but the diet varieties are fine – right? Wrong! Fizzy drinks aren’t recommended at all if you suffer from recurrent cystitis. With all the sugar in the regular varieties, you’ll risk boosting the bad bacteria at the root of the problem – these will happily feast on all that refined sugar.
Then, when it comes to the diet varieties, they often contain a whole host of artificial sweeteners and additives, not to mention caffeine, in many cases, which can all irritate the bladder making it much more susceptible to infection. Additionally, these artificial sweeteners can also risk upsetting the balance of good gut bacteria which can also have a detrimental, knock-on effect.
2. Coffee
Coffee is loaded with caffeine so not a good choice if you suffer from recurrent infections. Caffeine acts as an irritant to the urinary tract, but it also acts as a mild diuretic which can leave you running to the loo more often. Opt for tasty coffee alternatives such as Bambu if you’re in the habit of a morning brew.
3. Fruit juice
We’ll discuss cranberry juice in more detail in the next section, but generally, your morning glass of fruit juice could be doing your bladder more harm than good. Fruit juices are often loaded with sugar as all the fibre has been removed, so, this sugar spike could potentially encourage bacteria to grow which isn’t good news if you suffer from recurrent UTIs. Have some whole fruit instead, or opt for lacto-fermented juice varieties instead such as Biotta.
4. Wine
For a number of reasons, your favourite alcohol tipple could be causing havoc with your bladder. Again, alcohol acts as an irritant to the bladder but it also dehydrates you super fast, so you could wake up the next day feeling a little worse for wear! Concentrated urine certainly won’t help to keep those infections at bay, and many varieties of alcoholic drinks have lots of added sugar too, plus affect your blood sugar responses (lasting effects, even into the next day) which will only add to the problem.
5. Cow's milk
The jury’s out on dairy, but generally, it can be classed as pro-inflammatory in the body; it can be considered more taxing on the digestive system, and dairy that isn't organice may be slightly more problematic; so for one reason or another, many people find that they are more sensitive to milk, or even some other dairy products.
Therefore, if cystitis symptoms are getting you down, it can be worth trying to decrease your consumption of milk to see how you get on.
Top 5 drinks to include more of
Now that we know what to avoid, what should you be drinking more of to help keep those symptoms at bay?
1. Water
I can’t stress enough the importance of water. Out of everything, water is most likely to make the biggest difference to your symptoms and we need to drink more of it – simple!
Aim to drink 1.5l of water a day, and not the fizzy varieties as mentioned above.
If you aren’t used to the plain taste why not try adding some sliced fruit such as lemon (this isn’t ‘acid producing’ contrary to popular belief so will be just fine), or pop in a sachet of our Balance Mineral Drink containing essential electrolytes such as potassium and magnesium, in order to help further support the pH balance in the body.
2. Molkosan
Talking about adding things to water, Molkosan is one of my firm favourites!
By adding a splash of Molkosan to your water you’ll be ensuring you get a good dose of L+ lactic acid which will help to support the balance of bacteria throughout the digestive tract. A strong force to be reckoned with when it comes to those strains of bad bacteria trying to settle in!
By supporting your gut, you can help prevent infections in and around the urinary tract too.
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3. Cranberry juice
I’ve explained why you need to be wary of fruit juice but, when it comes to cranberry juice, this is the exception. Watch out though, some varieties still have added sugar which we don’t want, but a good quality juice, or even better a cranberry supplement, may help to protect against recurrent infections.
Interestingly, cranberry products have been subject to lots of research in the field of urinary tract health, and are considered particularly beneficial in the prevention of UTIs and cystitis. (1)
4. Herbal teas
As we’ve mentioned, caffeine is a no-go, so coffee and even tea should be limited if you’re struggling to keep those infections under control. But, don’t worry, I know how comforting a warming cuppa can be so there are other options out there.
Opt for Roobios for a nice caffeine-free alternative to regular tea or why not try some Golden Rod Tea if you want a combination of herbs that are more directly going to help support your urinary tract. Remember, you can help conserve vital nutrients without going in too heavy on the caffeine options, plus, adding some extra nutrients and antioxidants to the mix too!
5. Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has a number of proposed benefits and supporting your bladder and urinary tract could be one of them.
Choose a good quality product that contains the ‘mother’ for best effects. The combination of the fermented goodness (think good bacteria again) plus lots of vitamins and minerals that can help support the pH of the urinary tract and keep those infections at bay. Remember, the stomach acid and urinary tract actually do well to remain more acidic, although, I admit, the ins and outs of pH balance can often be confusing.
Again, if you're keen to try some apple cider vinegar, dilute a spoonful or two and in a big glass of water to make a drink, and enjoy sipping it throughout the day.
First published in March 2018, updated in June 2022.
