If you're one of the people who suffer from recurrent UTIs, there's no need to worry since American and French researchers have found a way to reduce to the risk of contracting this disease. Their study revealed that women who drink more water could reduce their risk of acquiring UTIs by at least half. Although the idea that water can be used to lower UTI risk isn't new, this is one of the few studies that look at the effectiveness of this natural remedy.
In this study, which was published in JAMA Internal Medicine, the researchers observed the effects of water intake on the incidence of UTIs in 140 healthy women. To be included in the study, the participants had to meet qualifications which include being under the age of 45, experiencing at least three UTIs in the year before the study, and drinking less than six glasses of water per day. The participants were randomly divided into two groups, with one group drinking six more glasses of water per day and the other group maintaining their normal water intake.
After a year of following the assigned water consumption, the women who drank more water experienced an average of 1.5 UTIs. Meanwhile, women who did not increase their water intake suffered from at least three UTIs. The researchers believed that increasing water intake was able to reduce the risk of UTIs by flushing out bacteria and preventing them from entering the bladder. The lower incidence of UTIs in women who drank six more glasses of water also reduced their need for antibiotics, which consequently lowers the risk of developing antibiotic resistance. (Related: Antibiotics for UTI infections: Here's what works without resorting to dangerous drugs.)
Health benefits of drinking water
If this isn't enough to convince you to drink more water, here are some other health benefits associated with adequate water intake.
- Improving physical performance -- It's normal for athletes to sweat a lot but they have to be careful since losing as little as two percent of the body's water content can affect physical performance. This is because dehydration alters body temperature, reduces motivation, and increases fatigue. On the other hand, proper hydration boosts energy levels and reduces oxidative stress due to high-intensity exercise.
- Relieving headache symptoms -- Dehydration is a common trigger for headaches and migraines. By drinking adequate amounts of water, you can significantly reduce the intensity and duration of headaches.
- Preventing kidney stone formation -- An increase in fluid intake prevents kidney stones from forming by diluting the concentration of minerals in the kidneys. This prevents them from crystallizing and makes it easier to eliminate them through urine.
- Promoting weight loss -- People who want to lose weight should drink plenty of water since this can increase satiety and consequently reduce calorie intake during meals. Additionally, studies have shown that half a liter of water can boost metabolic rate by up to 30 percent.
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