If you’ve always had a healthy bladder and never experienced a bladder infection, you may take your body’s ability to remove urine for granted.
So far, you’ve been lucky. But if and when a problem arises, you’ll likely wish you’d paid to bladder health.
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Bladder complications might be more common than you’d think. Urinary tract infections (UTI), for example, are quite common and recurrent in women. Traditional treatments might not always work.
But there are things you can do to improve bladder health or lessen the severity of symptoms if an infection does occur. Food choice is one of them. Some superfoods can promote a healthy functioning bladder and other components of your urinary system.
Garlic: There is evidence to suggest that garlic may help treat or reduce the risk of UTI. Antibiotics may not work for some people, especially in preventing recurrent infections. A 2015 study showed that garlic extract could kill bacterial strains that are resistant to antibiotic treatment.
You can talk to your doctor about taking it as a supplement. Garlic is a great source of powerful antioxidants that fits easily into any diet.
Berries: Cranberries, particularly cranberry juice, is commonly recommended to boost bladder health. But other berries may help too.
Blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries are rich sources of antioxidants, including vitamin C, that may help prevent bacterial growth in the bladder. Berries are also a great source of water to help flush your kidneys.
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Cruciferous Vegetables: Vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and kale can also provide valuable nutrition for bladder health. Vitamin C and calcium aid kidney function.
These veggies also contain unique compounds that help promote liver health. Liver disease is associated with an overactive bladder, and both your liver and kidneys play an important role in a healthy urinary system.
Including these foods might contribute to a healthier bladder and lower risk of infection. It’s also possible that regular consumption of these superfoods might dampen the symptoms of bladder infections if one does arise.
Mohan Garikiparithi got his degree in medicine from Osmania University (University of Health Sciences). He practiced clinical medicine for over a decade before he shifted his focus to the field of health communications. During his active practice he served as the head of the Dept. of Microbiology in a diagnostic centre in India. On a three-year communications program in Germany, Mohan developed a keen interest in German Medicine (Homoeopathy), and other alternative systems of medicine. He now advocates treating different medical conditions without the use of traditional drugs. An ardent squash player, Mohan believes in the importance of fitness and wellness.
