Can you get UTI from food?

While consuming certain foods or beverages will not directly cause a urinary tract infection (UTI), some may irritate your bladder and increase the likelihood of developing one.

Urinary tract infections typically are caused by bacteria that enter the urethra and multiply in the bladder. E. coli is the bacterium that most commonly causes UTIs.

Although foods and beverages don’t directly cause a UTI, certain factors may increase your risk, such as:

- Impaired bladder emptying. Some foods, such as caffeine and alcohol, can irritate your bladder and cause you to urinate more often. This can make it more difficult to completely empty your bladder, which can allow bacteria to grow.

- Increased urine production. Some foods, such as fruits and vegetables, can increase the amount of urine you produce. This can help flush out bacteria from your urinary tract, but it can also make you more likely to experience urinary urgency and frequency, which may lead to incomplete emptying of the bladder.

- Changes in the urine pH level. Some foods, such as citrus fruits and cranberry juice, can change the pH level of your urine. This can make it more difficult for bacteria to grow, but it can also irritate your bladder and increase your risk of a UTI.

If you are experiencing symptoms of a UTI, such as frequent urination, pain or burning during urination, or cloudy or foul-smelling urine, it is important to see a doctor for evaluation and treatment.