Written by Christine Giordano, MD | Reviewed by Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH
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.
A woman drinks a glass of water. Hydration is key if you have a urinary tract infection or UTI, which is often treated with antibiotics.recep-bg/iStock via Getty Images Plus
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
What drinks should you avoid if you have a UTI?
Some fluids can do more harm than good when you’re fighting off a UTI. Make sure to avoid these drinks when you have a UTI. They can make you feel worse:
Caffeinated drinks
Drinks with caffeine like coffee, tea, soda, and energy drinks can make you feel worse when you have a UTI.
Caffeine stimulates the bladder and makes you pee more often. Caffeine can also irritate your bladder. If you have a UTI, this can make symptoms like painful or frequent urination worse.
If you really need caffeine to make it through the day, you can still drink it if you have a UTI. Just try to limit how much you drink.
Alcohol
Like caffeine, alcohol can irritate your bladder and worsen UTI symptoms. Alcohol makes you pee more often. This can lead to dehydration, which will make it harder for your body to fight off an infection. It will also make you feel worse.
Plus, alcohol can interact with antibiotics used to treat UTIs and make them less effective. So, your antibiotics may take longer to work (or not work at all). This means you may feel sicker longer. Alcohol can also lead to serious side effects when mixed with certain antibiotics. It’s best to avoid alcoholic drinks until you have completed your entire antibiotic course.
Acidic fruit drinks
Acidic fruits can irritate your bladder and worsen UTI symptoms. Avoid orange juice, grapefruit juice, and lemon or lime juice when you have a UTI.
But once you’re over a UTI, you can add these fruits back to your diet. They’re powerful sources of vitamin C, an antioxidant that can help boost your immune system.
How long does a UTI last?
Most people start feeling better within 1 to 2 days after starting an antibiotic. But it takes longer for the infection to be fully treated and go away.
Make sure to take all the antibiotics your healthcare professional prescribes. Some antibiotic courses are shorter than others. You may need to take antibiotics for 3 to 14 days.
The bottom line
When you have a UTI, drink plenty of fluids like water, electrolyte drinks, and cranberry juice to stay hydrated. But try to avoid drinking caffeinated drinks like coffee, tea, and energy drinks because they can make your UTI symptoms worse. It’s also a good idea to skip alcohol while you’re sick. Alcohol can cause dehydration and interact with antibiotics, leading to serious side effects.
References
Atlantic Health System. (n.d.). Low-acid bladder diet at Atlantic Urogynecology Associates.
Better Health Channel. (2018). Cystitis.
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