While experts don’t think food has much to do with kidney infection, bad nutrition can make an infection worse. Thus, prolonging healing. Some of these substances which feed bacteria are in our foods. If you want to know the foods to avoid while treating with kidney infection, we are here to help you.
The kidneys carry out the primary function of removing waste products from your body. When you eat, your body absorbs nutrients from the food while your kidneys filter the excess nutrients. Toxins and excess fluids are also passed out in this process of purification.
In this article, you will discover the foods that can feed bacteria and make kidney infections worse. You will learn which food to avoid if you have a kidney infection and why.
The Link Between Kidney Infection and Urinary Tract Infection
Kidney infection is a type of Urinary Tract Infection or UTI. According to the Urology Care Foundation, about 1 in every 30 cases of UTI leads to kidney infection.
As part of the body’s purification system, the kidneys produce urine to get rid of excess fluid from the blood. The drainage system which enables this process is the urinary tract which includes your two kidneys, two ureters, a bladder, and a urethra.
Sometimes microbes such as a bacteria known as Escherichia coli (E. coli) or other types of bacteria found in the intestines rectum can move to parts of the urinary tracts causing illness.
If the bacteria moves upwards from the urethra to the bladder, it causes cystitis. This bladder infection occurs in 1-3% of adult women per year. If it progresses to the ureter and enters the kidney, it leads to a kidney infection known as pyelonephritis.
Women are more susceptible to UTIs because they have shorter urethras. For this reason, it is easier for the bacteria to get to the bladder. The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body.
Research says 1 in 2000 women are diagnosed with a kidney infection in the US yearly.
Although kidney infection is rare, it can be more severe than infections of the lower urinary tract or the bladder. If you have a urinary tract infection frequently, you are more likely to get a kidney infection.
A structural problem of the urinary tract such as diverticulitis can also make you more prone to infections.
Foods to Avoid if you have Kidney Infection
A kidney infection is more closely related to a urinary tract infection than a kidney disease. However, if you leave an infection of the kidney untreated, it could lead to kidney damage.
Kidney infections typically result from the ascent of bacteria from the lower urinary tract to the kidneys. In contrast, kidney disease refers to a broad category of conditions affecting the kidneys, which may include chronic kidney disease, acute kidney failure, kidney stones, or other structural or functional issues.
If you have a kidney infection, you may be wondering if certain foods can make your infection worse. The answer is yes. Certain foods feed bacterial infections including kidney infections and UTIs.
Such foods worsen your symptoms such as the urgency to urinate or pain during urination.
Although your healthcare provider will prescribe the right antibiotics for you, avoiding these foods will reduce the impact of the infection until you are done with your treatment.
When taking the recommended antibiotics, you should avoid foods which interfere with the breakdown of the medications.
Foods that must be avoided while on antibiotic treatment include:
- Grapefruit
- Calcium
- Alcohol
Most citrus fruits like grapefruit contain compounds known as furanocoumarins. This interacts with how the liver and intestines break down the medicine and filter out toxins. When liver enzymes are inhibited, it could increase the level of antibiotics in your bloodstream leading to adverse effects.
High doses of calcium also prevent the absorption of antibiotics by binding to them and reducing their effects.
As for alcohol, while it is unlikely for the drink to cause serious complications, it can affect you in other ways.
Alcohol may cause dehydration, affect your sleep and make recovery time longer.
Also Read: Can You Reverse Acute Kidney Failure Without Dialysis?
10 Foods to Avoid If You Have Kidney Infection
Coffee
Although a cup of coffee can add pep to your money, the stimulant can increase your need to pee. Instead, go for a cup of mild herbal tea or non-caffeinated coffee.
Citrus Fruits
Fruit may be all innocent until it’s time to take your antibiotics. As we mentioned earlier, citrus fruits such as grapes don’t mix well with antibiotics.
Additionally, citrus fruits are acidic making them irritating to the bladder if you have an infection.
So try to avoid lemons, oranges, pineapples, grapefruits, and tomatoes when you’re treating a UTI, even a kidney infection.
Sugar
Bacteria love sugar. Many microbes do as too much of it provides a safe place for them to multiply. Aside from that, a spike in sugar in your bloodstream suppresses your immunity. So you may want to kick that soda habit for good.
Alcohol
Alcohol can make you dehydrated. It is already not a great choice with antibiotics. It can also make things worse for the already sensitive urinary tract.
Also Read: 5 Foods to Avoid If You Have Diabetes and Why
Dairy Products
Dairy can sometimes contribute to the acidity of urine, potentially increasing irritation in the urinary tract. Cow milk, for instance, is a notorious inflammatory food.
Processed Foods
Processed foods often contain high levels of sodium, which can lead to dehydration and worsen UTI symptoms.
If you have kidney disease, sodium is a no-no. Processed foods are also high in fats, preservatives, artificial colors and flavor.
Spicy or High-Fat Foods
Spicy and high-fat foods can potentially cause indigestion, which may indirectly impact the urinary tract and worsen overall discomfort.
Refined Carbs
When digested, the body converts carbs to sugar. As we stated earlier, this is bad for the immune system. White bread, white flour, white rice, and pasta are all examples of refined carbohydrates.
Diet Drinks
Do you think diet drinks are healthier? Not correct. They are loaded with artificial sweeteners like aspartame. Bad bacteria will happily feast on sugar and cause recurrent infections of the urinary tract.
Fruit Drink
You should swap your morning glass of fruit drink for water or herbal tea. Packaged fruit juice from your favorite fruits like apples, oranges or pineapples is stripped of their fiber. Not only that, they are loaded with bad additives.
Also Read: 10 Foods to Avoid If You Have Ulcer
Conclusion
While it’s crucial to avoid these foods if you have a UTI, stay hydrated with water and eat foods that support urinary health, such as cranberries and probiotics.
If you notice any strange symptoms such as a burning sensation while urinating, talk to your healthcare provider immediately.
Follow your doctor’s prescription fully to treat UTIs and kidney infections completely. Failure to do this may turn an infection into a complicated disease.
