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Kidney & Urinary Health
Question #17267
80 days ago
108

is beer good for uti - #17267

Ananya

I am trying to figure out if beer is good for UTI or if it makes everything worse. Last week, I had this awful burning sensation, like every time I went to the bathroom it felt like fire! My doc said it was a urinary tract infection and prescribed antibiotics. I was super worried about all the side effects of the meds, and I remembered my friend said she heard beer can help with UTI. I'm kinda skeptical, though. Like, how is beer good for UTI when I thought alcohol could irritate the bladder? On one hand, I enjoy a cold beer after a long day, but on another, I don't wanna mess up my recovery. I read some mixed advice online—some say it helps because of the hoppy stuff, but then others say it does the opposite, making it worse. Is beer good for UTI, or should I just steer clear of it for now? Also, do you think drinking water helps more than having a beer? What about cranberry juice? Am I overthinking this? I'm kinda stressed about making the right choices. Help!

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Doctors' responses

Beer is not recommended for urinary tract infection (UTI). Alcohol, including beer, can irritate the bladder and potentially worsen symptoms. It might not help in addressing the core problem — the bacterial infection that antibiotics are prescribed to treat. Your doctor prescribed those meds to specifically target the bacteria causing the UTI, and it’s essential to complete that course for recovery. While some people claim beer or hops might have some benefits, there isn’t strong clinical evidence to support beer as a reliable treatment for UTIs. Instead, focus on more evidence-based supportive measures.

Drinking plenty of water is indeed beneficial; it helps flush out bacteria from your urinary system. Stick to this straightforward approach — maintain good hydration levels, and aim for clear or light yellow urine as an indicator. Contrary to beer, cranberry juice is often recommended for UTIs based on its potential to prevent bacterial adhesion to the bladder wall, though evidence on its effectiveness is mixed. Look for unsweetened cranberry juice if you choose to include it, and it should complement, not replace, prescribed treatment.

Avoid caffeinated drinks or any potential irritants until your symptoms improve. Over-thinking is a common reaction when dealing with health issues, but following evidence-based advice and completing your antibiotics as prescribed is the best course. If symptoms persist or worsen, return to your doctor, as you might need further evaluation or adjustment in treatment.

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