Does Coffee Cause UTI?
Coffee is a staple drink of around one billion people worldwide—that’s equivalent to 12% of the global population. It’s most popular for its mood- and energy-boosting properties, but it also comes with other health benefits.
Research has shown that it may promote weight management, enhance athletic performance, support brain and heart health, increase longevity, and so much more! On top of all, coffee isn’t expensive yet inclusive since it comes in various styles, flavors, and brews.
However, like any other thing in this world, too much coffee isn’t good. Besides causing insomnia, rapid heart rate, and temporary high blood pressure, it also irritates your bladder in many ways. In this article, let’s figure out whether coffee may cause UTI.
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How Does Coffee Affect the Bladder?
Caffeine is one of the main constituents of coffee. It “blocks” adenosine receptors, sleep-promoting receptors in the brain, causing people to stay awake and feel more energized.
In other words, caffeine is the main reason why we feel more focused or energized after a cup of joe. The same goes for consuming soft drinks and chocolate bars since they also have caffeine.
The problem with caffeine is that it increases blood pressure. This can lead to many things, but, on top of all, it makes the bladder overactive. This could lead to increased urination, bladder infections, and worse, urinary incontinence.
Overall, caffeine affects the bladder in three ways, as follows:
1.Caffeine is a diuretic. In other words, it increases the body’s water loss rate, increasing the concentration of salts in the urine. It also increases one’s urgency to pass liquid, potentially resulting in dehydration.
2. Caffeine can directly affect the bladder’s smooth muscle. It may alter how the nervous system operates, potentially resulting in involuntary bladder contractions.
3. Caffeine may also directly irritate the muscle, increasing the risk of incontinence. Therefore, if people with pre-existing bladder weakness drink coffee, they may be unable to wait to find a bathroom.
Does Coffee Cause UTI?
Coffee doesn’t cause urinary tract infection (UTI). This infection is caused by a bacteria, typically Escherichia coli (E. coli). It’s commonly found in our body’s gastrointestinal (GI) tract, which is typically harmless and even helps keep the digestive tract healthy.
The urinary system is responsible for keeping out bacteria, but its defenses sometimes fail. When this happens, E. coli and other bacteria enter the urinary tract through the urethra (the tube where urine leaves the bladder and the body) and spread in the bladder, causing UTI.
However, even if coffee doesn’t cause UTI, its consumption can worsen it. There are a few reasons for these, as follows:
1.Caffeine causes bacteria to stick more to the bladder, causing more irritations and prolonging the infection.
2. With UTI, the diuretic effect of caffeine means more burning sensation while peeing.
3. Frequent urination due to the diuretic effect of caffeine may result in dehydration. As stated, this leads to a higher concentration of salts in one’s pee, irritating the bladder even more.
What’s The Best Thing to Drink When You Have A UTI?
Drinking plenty of fluids is the key to recovering from a UTI. Doing so flushes bacteria out of the urinary system faster. It also helps the immune system perform at its best to fight off the infection and recover more quickly. However, not all fluids are recommended; again, coffee is one good example of this exclusion.
Instead, here are the four drinks to drink when you contract a UTI:
1.Water – It keeps you hydrated in the healthiest way and lowers the risk of developing another UTI in the future.
2. Electrolyte drinks – UTI may cause loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. All of these conditions can cause water and electrolyte loss faster than usual. While they may not be the best option for everyday hydration, electrolyte drinks’ electrolytes, water, and sugar can help you get by when you’re sick or have UTI.
3. Unsweetened cranberry juice – Research has shown that a substance in cranberries can inhibit bacteria’s ability to function in the bladder. However, remember not to opt for high-sugar cranberry cocktail juice, which may increase urination and dehydration.
4. Probiotic yogurt drinks – Probiotics can’t treat a UTI, but the good bacteria Lactobacillus may help keep bacteria from causing UTIs. They also help rebuild your natural microbiome, which helps prevent diarrhea caused by antibiotics to treat UTIs.
What Are The Other Ways to Treat UTI?
UTIs’ first line of treatment is antibiotics. The treatment period and the specific drugs may vary, depending on the severity of the infection. On a positive note, it’s available in generic versions that can be covered by insurance by up to 79%, approximately at a co-pay of $45.00-$75.00.
The costs of antibiotics range from $42.67 (for generic antibiotics without insurance) to $221.75 (for brand-name antibiotics). However, some pharmacy coupons like Macrobid Savings Offer or cash prices may be lower.
Final Thoughts
UTI is caused by bacteria, not coffee. However, it’s still best to avoid your regular cup of joe if you happen to contract the infection, at least until you treat it completely. Instead, drink lots of clear liquids and see a doctor to get checked and prescribed antibiotics.
