Urinary Tract Infection: Nutritional Considerations

There are several nutritional strategies that may be effective in preventing UTIs:

• Breast–feeding: Infants who are breast–fed have fewer than half the number of UTIs as infants who are fed with formula. This is, in part, due to antibodies (such as Immunoglobin A) present in high concentrations in breast milk that help to prevent the growth of bacteria.
  
• Cranberry juice: Studies have shown that women who consume cranberry juices, which contain high levels of antioxidants known as flavonoids, have a 20 percent lower risk for developing UTIs. This may be because the nutrients in cranberries decrease the ability of bacteria to stick to the walls of the urinary tract cells.
• Probiotics, such as lactobacilli: There is some evidence that women who consume lactobacilli have a decreased risk for UTIs. Although this is still under investigation, taking a probiotics supplement is a simple, cheap practice that may have other positive effects, including decreasing allergies and abdominal pain.
• High–fiber diets: Although the reason for this benefit is not yet known, chronic constipation is associated with an increased risk of UTIs. Since high–fiber diets have many other positive benefits, people–especially children–are encouraged to increase fiber intake. The best way to increase fiber in the diet is to eat plenty of vegetables, fruits, beans, and whole grains.