Juicing for UTI (urinary tract infections) is actually a topic I’m really passionate about. In case you’re wondering how one could be so passionate about a UTI – it’s ’cause it once nearly killed me.
Yes, a UTI – left untreated – can kill you. There’s something they don’t teach you in high school health class…
Anyway, long story short – I once developed a UTI while traveling. The areas were very, very rural and I didn’t always want to use the bathrooms available so I mastered the art of holding it all in. I was awarded a massive UTI for my efforts. There were no hospitals within easy reach of where I was so I figured I’d wait ’til I got to a big city. Well, by the time I arrived in a city, I was vomiting, shaking from chills and fever, and miserable from incredible back pain.
Turns out the urinary tract infection had spread to my kidneys, which was why my “back” was hurting. I was admitted into a hospital for nearly a week. If I’d waited longer (or been misdiagnosed), that kidney infection could’ve spread to my blood and sepsis is not something you want to mess with.
Now, I understand my case is fairly rare. Our bodies have the ability to heal itself of UTIs much of the time and when it can’t, most of us have antibiotics within each reach. But sometimes we don’t. And that’s a chance you don’t want to take.
The good news is that Mother Nature provides her own cures for UTIs. This is awesome news for people like me who enjoy traveling to remote areas of the world as well as for anyone who doesn’t want to have to rely on antibiotics to get rid of pesky UTIs whenever they crop up.
And all you need? Plenty of fruits and veggies. Read on to find out what you can juice to get rid of a UTI (as well as prevent them from happening in the first place.
Quick Facts About UTIs
- At its simplest, a urinary tract infection or UTI is basically a disease that involves all the components of the urinary system. This covers the urethra, kidneys, bladder, sphincter muscles and ureters. Common signs and symptoms of UTI include intermittent back aches, painful urination, tenderness in and around the pelvic area as well as smelly and cloudy urine.
- A UTI is primarily triggered when the Escherichia coli bacteria somehow make their way inside the body’s urinary system. They tend to multiply profusely when they come in contact with the urine contained at the tip of the urethra and can cause a number of infections and inflammations to the urinary system almost immediately.
- Although the body has the ability to heal itself during the onset of a urinary tract infection, it will need help in doing so when the Escherichia coli bacteria have already reproduced massively and have spread around the urinary system.
- One of the simplest, lesser-known causes of UTI is not peeing after sex. It’s really the easiest thing you can do to help flush out bacteria before it has a chance to travel to the bladder. So pee after sex! Always!
- One of the most important – and simple – things you can do to prevent and treat UTIs is keeping hydrated since lots of fluid helps to dilute the urine – a concentrated urine is at prime risk for bacterial overgrowth. Drink plenty of water to prevent UTIs. If you feel one coming on, add a splash of Apple Cider Vinegar (with “Mother”) to your water.
- Oh, and stay away from those products that promise to clean ‘down there’ and leave you smelling like a flower – all these feminine sprays, special washes and douches actually kill the healthy bacteria in the vagina, leaving you more vulnerable to infections. Plus, your vagina is already a self-cleaning wonder so water does just fine.
- Lastly, one awesome supplement to take if you’re prone to frequent UTIs and other vaginal issues is a women’s probiotic. It really helps to, ahem, balance the flora down there.
Alright, let’s get on with the juicy show!
Juicing for UTI: What to Juice?
Even when I’m within easy reach of hospitals and doctors – the first place I go when I feel a urinary tract infection coming on is the local produce aisle. The below fruits and veggies will knock a UTI out of your system faster than you can say “antibiotics.”
Note: That being said, if your symptoms don’t abate after using all-natural methods – go see a doctor. The last thing you want is a kidney infection. Trust me. Also – if you’re juicing for a child who has a UTI – go see a doctor. UTIs can turn into a kidney infection much faster in kids. Don’t risk it.
Juicing for UTI Essentials: Cranberries
Cranberries are the all-natural poster child for UTIs and it’s little wonder why. Cranberries are loaded with antioxidants and phytonutrients, especially proanthocyanidins, that keep bad bacteria from adhering to the linings of the urinary system, as well as quinic acid which helps lift toxins from the kidneys and bladder.
The unique tannins found in cranberries also have antibiotic properties that make it extremely tough for Escherichia coli to multiply if they do manage to break into the urinary tract.
Cranberries also make for some ridiculously delicious juice recipes – check out the collection of crazy yum cranberry juice recipes!
Juicing for UTI Essentials: Coconut
Both the meat and water from coconuts contain high amounts of medium chain fatty acids that have anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. These fatty acids don’t specifically get rid of Escherichia coli, but they promote the development of beneficial bacteria that helps keep the urinary tract in tip-top shape.
Coconut water also makes a very refreshing, nutritious diuretic and helps to flush out bacteria from the urinary tract.
Juicing for UTI Essentials: Garlic
Allicin is what gives garlic its unique smell and taste. Remarkably, allicin has been found to have a range of antimicrobial activities, including against multi-drug-resistant strains of Escherichia coli as well as antifungal and antiparasitic activity.
Garlic juice is not the yummiest of juices, but a little big of raw garlic goes a long way toward treating a UTI.
Juicing for UTI Essentials: Sweet Potatoes
Most of us think of carrots as the poster-child for Vitamin A but it’s actually the sweet potato that’s the richest source of this awesome vitamin. And you really want a lot of this stuff – preferably from fresh fruits and veggies – when you’re juicing for UTI – a recent study found that simple supplementing with Vitamin A helped reduce the risk of recurrent urinary tract infections.
Plus, sweet potatoes are delicious and add a subtle, welcome sweetness to juice recipes – get some of the best sweet potato juice recipes here!
Juicing for UTI Essentials: Citrus Fruits
Whether it’s orange, grapefruits, lemons or limes – when you’re juicing for UTI, you definitely want to include citrus fruits. ‘Cause as you already know, they’re chock full of vitamin C, which is a handy little fighter against urinary tract infections.
Vitamin C causes the urine to become more acidic and can restrain the Escherichia coli from reproducing by disrupting the ideal pH levels they need to multiply. Plus, it’s a potent antioxidant that fights inflammation and boosts your immune system, providing another layer of protection from recurrent UTIs.
Grapefruit, in particular, deserves special mention as a juicing ingredient for UTI since it’s one of the few fruits that naturally contain salicylic acid. This type of acid has the ability to neutralize various types of harmful bacteria, including the Escherichia coli strain.
By the way, it’s not just citrus fruits that are rich in vitamin C – guava is seriously rich in the stuff. In fact, it’s the one of the richest source of vitamin C there is. Other fruits and veggies for vitamin C? Try red and yellow bell peppers, broccoli, papaya and kale.
Juicing for UTI Essentials: Pineapple
Pineapple is a sweet and juicy ingredient that does a great job keeping you hydrated, which is essential when you’re trying to beat a UTI. But it does even more than simple hydration – you see, pineapple is packed with an enzyme called bromelain which is well-known for its role in aiding digestion but less known for the part it plays in decreasing inflammation and fighting infection.
Plus, pineapple juice recipes are some of the best things around.
Juicing for UTI Essentials: Blueberries
Yet another delicious juicing ingredients to sweeten your juice recipes and give yourself a dose of vitamin C as well as inflammation-fighting antioxidants. Blueberries are also rich in the proanthocyanidins that stop bacteria from sticking to the walls of the bladder – like cranberries. But sweeter.
Juicing for UTI Essentials: Celery
This crunchy veggie fights the ever-annoying UTI in a variety of ways. For starters, it’s a natural diuretic that helps flush out bacterial infections. It also helps to reduce uric acid and even has antibacterial and anti-microbial properties that can further boost immunity to bacterial infections.
3 Recipes When You’re Juicing for UTIs
Ready to get juicing? Here are some delicious juice recipes for UTIs…
Cranberry Pineapple Juice
Here’s a super simple one that’s a slight upgrade from a homemade cranberry juice for uti. Recommended you start sipping as soon as you feel a UTI coming:
- 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
- 2 cups fresh pineapple, cores and all
Again, dilution is a good idea – cranberry juice is pretty strong, after all. Just add water or water your juice down with cukes or watermelon! Oh, and make sure to juice the cores of the pineapple – that’s where the majority of the bromelain lives.
Sweet Potato Grapefruit Juice
This is a surprisingly good juice recipe – who knew these ingredients would get along so well?
- 1 large sweet potato
- 1 grapefruit
- 2 pears
You get a huge dose of vitamins A and C in a delicious glass of sweet juice!
Spicy Blueberry Juice
Here’s a super simple juice recipe that gives you a load of UTI-fighting proanthocyanidins and immune-boosting pineapple and ginger:
- 1/4 pineapple
- 1 cup blueberries
- 1 inch ginger
It’s delicious to boot!
