Can your muscle-building, high protein diet trigger UTIs? Here’s what a urologist says

If you’re someone who is looking forward to building muscles or just goes to the gym, it’s pretty likely that you would be following a protein heavy diet, and while protein does help you gain muscles and aids recovery after a workout, it also does come with some side effects. One of these side effects is something that you probably never anticipated: Urinary Tract Infections.

Yes, it may seem like these two have no correlation but an extremely high protein intake can be a factor which causes urinary tract infections (or UTIs). “Diets that are rich in animal protein or are otherwise high-protein in nature are more likely to cause urinary tract infections. This is because they increase the acidity of urine.” said Dr Arun Rathi, consultant urologist at CARE Hospitals, Banjara Hills.

Protein-rich food (such as meat or eggs) are more likely to cause urinary tract infections or UTIs.(Source: Freepik)

However this is not the sole cause of UTIs, as they can also be caused by:

-Poor Hygiene

-Individual vulnerability

-Lack of hydration

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But then how does a person consume enough protein for gaining muscle while also avoiding the side effects?

Moderating your protein intake is important. “Protein should be consumed a 0.8 grams per kg of weight. If you happen to be especially vulnerable to UTIs, then moderate amounts of protein may be consumed,” said Dr Rathi. You should also take care of your hydration as well as include fruits and vegetables in your diet to prevent UTIs.

Are there any other everyday food items promote UTIs?

Yes, any food which increase the chances of bacterial growth and irritate the bladder are to be avoided by people who are especially vulnerable to UTIs. Some of these are:

-Caffeine rich items: Coffee, tea, and energy drinks

-Spicy food: Food items which contain hot peppers and chili.

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-Foods and beverages with high sugar content: Candies, sodas, and deserts.

-Foods low in fibre content: White bread and pasta.

-Processed food: Fast food items and packaged items.

Are there any food items which can help prevent UTIs?

Yes. Dr Rathi recommends these food items to prevent UTIs:

-Berries like cranberries, strawberries and blueberries and their juices.

-Probiotic rich foods like yoghurt and buttermilk.

-Vitamin C rich foods like pineapples and oranges.

-Foods with high water content like cucumber and melons.

-Leafy greens like spinach and cabbage.

DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.