A urinary tract infection occurs when bacteria enter the urinary tract and start building a bacterial colony everywhere in the tract. The bacteria cause irritation, which often results in painful urination and abdominal pain. Though antibiotics can treat a UTI, it’s important to also take steps to help your body heal — and to prevent further bladder irritation. A number of common foods and drinks can irritate your bladder, and may worsen UTI symptoms — so you should steer clear of them if you have a urinary tract infection.
1. Coffee
Sure, your morning cup of coffee cheers you up, but it may also make your UTI symptoms act up again and depress you! Caffeine in particular is known to cause bladder irritation and worsen urinary tract symptoms. A study of people with chronic inflammation of the bladder found that people who drank coffee experienced worsened symptoms. Try a mug of non-caffeinated herbal tea to replace your morning coffee ritual until your UTI-free.
2.Alcohol
You may know that beer, wine, and liquor can irritate your stomach if you’ve got reflux or an ulcer, and these beverages can irritate the bladder, too. Though you want to get plenty of fluids when you’ve got a UTI, it’s important to avoid alcohol. So take a hiatus from cocktails — at least while you’re trying to flush out the bacteria and recover from a urinary tract infection.
