Urinary health is important.
My aunt died of bladder cancer. My mom suffers from many UTIs and it worries me that she seems to be constantly on antibiotics for it.
I’ve had UTIs several times throughout my life and they are so unpleasant.
I want to practice prevention and I want quick relief when I do suffer from any UTI symptoms.
My top ten list for urinary health:
1. Baking Soda
Try a spoonful in a glass of water. It neutralizes the acidity in your body and urine. Not sure if lemon oil helps the taste or not.
2. Cranberries
These tart treats have anti-bacterial properties. Make sure you drink no-added-sugar instead of cocktail. Recommended 2-4 glasses a day if you have a UTI already.
3. Blueberries
An anti-bacterial superfood. Sprinkle these on yogurt or blend with cranberries for a great juice or smoothie!
4. Pineapple
Contains bromelain. It’s thought to have anti-inflammatory effects.
5. Water
Stay hydrated! Drink more to flush out your system if you have a UTI. Also, adding salt tablets or drinking a fitness drink helps get the hydration where it needs to go.
Warm water in an old-fashioned water bottle on your lower tummy helps to ease discomfort of the UTI.
6. Vitamin C
Keeps the bladder healthy by acidifying the urine so no bacteria can grow. A great general antioxidant.
7. Cotton underwear.
Fresher and dryer. And maybe opt for skirts or looser pants and leave the skinny jeans in the closet.
8. Stay clean.
Make sure you go after bathing or sex to ensure bacteria doesn’t stick around down there. Always wipe from front to back to make sure there’s no cross-contamination.
9. Limit caffeine and alcohol.
These irritate the bladder and dehydrate you.
10. Goldenseal
Maintains urinary health (possibly fights E.coli, a common UTI-causing bacteria.) A good antioxidant supplement.
And my friend shared this yummy Tabbouleh salad recipe that helps maintain urinary health:
1 box of plain couscous – prep as directed (can also use bulgur or quinoa)
1 c. Chopped tomatoes
1 c. Chopped cucumber
1/4 c. Chopped green onions (or red onions)
1/2 c. Chopped fresh parsley and/or cilantro (yum with some mint too!)
Juice of 1 lemon
1/4 c. really good olive oil
Sea salt to taste