Your body naturally produces bacteria to aid in various processes, such as digestion. Not all bacteria that the body produces are good, though. When harmful germs enter your body, you may need something to help prevent UTI. Foods and drinks containing D-mannose can assist with this process. As an added bonus, they can do this naturally without the use of antibiotics.
What is D-Mannose?
D-mannose is one of the simple sugars found in many fruits. Some of the fruits where this sugar naturally occurs include:
- Cranberries
- Blueberries
- Apples
- Oranges
- Peaches
In order to prevent an infection, however, you would have to eat many more servings of these fruits daily than the FDA recommends. An easier alternative is to drink a beverage that contains concentrated doses of D-mannose after any activity that could instigate a UTI, such as sex, exercise, swimming or traveling via airplane.
How Does It Work?
Using a specially formulated drink as a natural way to prevent UTI puts enough D-mannose in your system to combat the harmful bacteria effectively. Research suggests that the sugar prevents infection by attaching to these microbes and forcing them to be expelled through your urine. Lowering the amount of this bacteria in your body lowers your risk of developing a UTI. It may also work as a prebiotic, encouraging the growth of good microorganisms in your system. Restoring this balance not only helps prevent infection but may improve your overall health.
If you are looking for UTI prevention without antibiotics, a supplement containing D-mannose may be the right choice for you. Increasing your intake of this simple sugar, especially after engaging in behavior that may increase your risk for infection, may counteract the production of the bacteria that cause UTIs. The good news is that avoiding this painful problem may be as easy as adding a drink to your morning or evening routine.