Drinking enough water could be the key to avoiding urinary tract infections

MONDAY, Oct. 1, 2018 (HealthDay News) – A new study suggests that women with recurrent urinary tract infections (UTI) do not seem farther apart than their kitchen faucet.

The researchers found that the chances of recurrence of common infections among women who drank a lot of water had a significant reduction in their chances.

"This study provides compelling evidence that an increase in daily water absorption can reduce frequent urinary tract infections," said lead researcher, Dr. Thomas Hooton. He is Professor of Clinical Medicine at the Division of Infectious Diseases of the University of Miami.

The water seems to have its magic "presumably via the rinsing effect of increasing urine volume, but we may not experience any other effects," Hooton said in a press release issued by a university.

A women's health specialist said that the benefits of hydration with H2O against urinary tract infections have been suspected for a long time, but they have not so far been confirmed by a clinical trial.

"Ask anyone who has ever had a urinary tract infection, they're not fun," said Dr. Jill Rabin, who runs Northwell Health's Women's Health Services in New Hyde Park, New York.

"In this study, women were included if they had had three or more episodes in the previous year – definitely painful and upsetting," noted Rabin, who did not participate in the new study.

"Drinking more water to improve one's health is probably safe and, if the faucet is used, rather cheap," she added. "Produce additional urine – and therefore increase the frequency of urination – can sensitize the population to the importance of keeping the bladder as empty as possible, which can help reduce the number of infections urinary. "

The new trial involved 140 younger premenopausal European women, all of whom had high IU scores. At the start of the study, their total daily fluid intake was less than six 8 ounce glasses per day.

During the one-year trial, half of women drank just over six cups more daily, in addition to their daily fluid intake. The absorption remained the same for the other half of women.

The reduction in UTI frequency for those who drank the extra water was significant. While the average number of UTIs during the study period was 3.2 for women who did not increase their water intake, it fell to 1.7 for women whose consumption increased , showed the results.

There was also a significant reduction in the use of antibiotics in women who drank more water. Antibiotics are the mainstay of urinary tract infections and reducing the overuse of antibiotics is essential to stop the emergence of drug-resistant microbes.

Hooton said the trial was long overdue.

"Although it is widely accepted that the increase in water consumption helps eliminate bacteria and reduce the risk of recurrent urinary tract infection, no research data at all." "Support has shown such a beneficial effect of water," he said.

The study did not determine the ideal amount of daily water intake to reduce the risk of urinary tract infection, nor whether an increase in water intake would help women with a lower risk of urinary tract infection than the group selected for this trial.

Dr. Elizabeth Kavaler is a specialist in urology at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York. She added that the trial highlighted the notion that "water is the beverage of choice for the overall health of the bladder and kidneys". She added that "the amount each needs depends on the environment, the level of activity and the diet".

The study was published online on October 1 st JAMA Internal Medicine. It was funded by Danone, Inc., the maker of Evian water bottles.

More information

The US Office of Women's Health has more about urinary tract infections.