The urinary tract consists of several organs that help to void the body of urine, or liquid waste. Included in the urinary tract is the kidneys, bladder, urethra and ureters. This system works together in order to filter through waste and eliminate it from the body, and keeping it healthy is the best way to ensure that it is always working properly.
High Desert residents who are prone to urinary tract infections or disorders may want to change their diet in order to help their issues. Apple Valley residents will find these foods to be helpful when it comes to maintaining a healthy urinary tract.
What Foods Should I Eat for a Healthy Urinary Tract?
Berries — Many types of berries are rich in antioxidants, such as blueberries. In addition to being filled with beneficial antioxidants, berries also have flavonols. These flavonols are used naturally by the plant in order to fight off bacterial infections in the plant itself, and it seems to have the same effect on humans.
This can help prevent infections from forming in the urinary tract. Perhaps snacking on strawberries, blackberries, blueberries or raspberries isn’t your thing. Instead, supplement with juice products such as cranberry juice. This still allows you to enjoy all of the benefits that berries can give you and your urinary tract.
Garlic — Garlic is healthy for your urinary tract because studies have shown that it may actually help prevent bladder cancer from forming in the future. Data from these studies have shown that garlic not only fights off and kills cancer cells in the bladder, but it also prevents those cancerous cells from metastasizing in the organ. In addition to being beneficial for the bladder, garlic also may be helpful in maintaining good kidney health as well.
Yogurt — Yogurt is one of the best ways to prevent urinary tract infections from forming in the body. Data shows that people who eat yogurt on a regular basis can prevent these infections up to 80 percent of the time.
Yogurt is a fermented dairy product, which is why researchers believe that it is effective in preventing urinary tract infections and even bladder cancer. Other dairy products, such as milk and cheese, have not been shown to provide people with the same types of benefits for urinary tract health.
You don’t have to create a diet that consists solely of these foods in order to reap the benefits. Simply add in a snack of blueberries every once in a while or enjoy a yogurt for breakfast instead of that sandwich you were going to grab from the local fast food joint.
When you incorporate these foods into your diet on a regular basis, you will find that your urinary tract functions better. You will feel well and you will avoid frustrating, painful and uncomfortable infections in the future. In order to find out if this is the right diet for you, talk with your urologist at your next preventative care appointment.
