Millions of people get affected by Urinary Tract Infection or UTI every year. Although traditional medication can treat the infection with the help of antibiotics, there are several home remedies that can be helpful too. Read on to know three effective home remedies to manage UTI.

• Staying hydrated

Hydration has a direct impact on a person’s risk of developing a urinary tract infection. This is for a simple reason that drinking lots of fluids result in frequent urination, helping to eliminate bacteria from the urinary tract. A 2003 study conducted on 141 girls showed that drinking less fluid and low frequency of urination caused repetitive UTIs. To ensure that your body stays hydrated, drink plenty of water throughout the day.

• Cranberry juice

Cranberry juice has been one of the most popular and effective home remedies to manage UTI. Proanthocyanidins, found in cranberries, are chemical compounds that can eliminate the bacteria from the urinary tract lining. While recommending lowered use of antibiotics, the recent guidelines also suggest the use of cranberry to prevent UTIs. Cranberries can be used in the form of juice, tablet, or capsules. However, there might be some concerns over the variation of proanthocyanidins content in various products. This means that the person might not know the exact ingredients of the product or whether it will be effective or not. To make sure that you are not taking sugar in excess, take unsweetened cranberry juice to manage UTIs.

• Probiotics

Probiotics are microorganisms that are healthy and can be found in foods or supplements. They are essential for maintaining a good balance of bacteria found in the gut. Probiotics can be taken in the form of supplements or can be found in various fermented foods, which include kimchi, probiotic yogurt, and kefir. The health benefits of taking probiotics have been many – right from giving a boost to the digestive system to better immune system function. In some studies, it has also been shown that taking some kinds of probiotics can reduce the risk of UTIs. In one of the studies, it was found that Lactobacillus – a probiotic strain – could prevent UTIs affecting adult women. In another study, it was found that taking probiotics in combination with antibiotics proved to be more beneficial in preventing UTIs than taking antibiotics alone.

These are some popularly used home remedies to manage UTI. However, do not forget to consult a doctor before you follow any of these natural remedies.