Drinks for UTI: What to Drink (and Avoid) During a Urinary Tract Infection

Staying hydrated helps your body flush bacteria out of your urinary tract and supports your immune system while it fights the infection. The table below covers the drinks most commonly recommended during a UTI.

Drink	Why It May Help
Water	The most important drink for a UTI. Increased water intake has been linked to lower rates of recurrent UTIs in some studies.
Low-sugar electrolyte drinks	Useful if fever, nausea, or vomiting are causing extra fluid loss on top of the infection itself.
Unsweetened cranberry juice	May help lower the risk of future UTIs, though evidence that it treats an active infection is limited. Avoid cranberry cocktails, which are high in added sugar.
Decaffeinated green tea	Contains compounds with some antibacterial activity against E. coli, the bacteria behind most UTIs. Skip the caffeinated version.

If you're taking antibiotics for a UTI, a probiotic yogurt drink containing Lactobacillus can support your gut microbiome. Probiotics aren't a treatment for the infection itself, and they shouldn't replace water or other fluids in your routine.

If you want to look at gut health support beyond a single drink or electrolyte option, explore our best drinks for gut health.

Some drinks can irritate the bladder or work against your treatment. It's worth limiting or avoiding these while you're recovering.

Drinks to Avoid	Why It Can Make Symptoms Worse
Coffee, tea, soda, energy drinks	Caffeine stimulates the bladder and can increase urinary frequency and irritation.
Alcohol	Can irritate the bladder, contribute to dehydration, and interact with antibiotics used for UTIs.
Acidic juices (orange, grapefruit, lemon, lime)	May increase bladder irritation for some people during an active infection.

Plain water is still the most important thing to drink during a UTI, but electrolytes can play a supporting role. Electrolytes are especially important if you're also dealing with fever, vomiting, or a poor appetite. Being sick increases how quickly your body loses water and electrolytes like sodium and potassium. Staying properly hydrated helps your immune system work at its best. That immune function matters here, since your body needs to fight off the bacterial infection while antibiotics take effect. If you’re feeling sick too often, learn more about how hydration and electrolytes support immune function.

Most pre-made electrolyte drinks are formulated with added sugar, which is fine occasionally but isn't ideal for someone who's already feeling unwell. An unflavored, no-sugar electrolyte option avoids that tradeoff while still replenishing what your body is losing.

Antibiotics are the fastest and most reliable way to clear a UTI, and most people notice improvement within a day or two of starting treatment. Drinking plenty of water and other fluids can help you feel more comfortable, but fluids alone do not clear a bacterial infection. It's important to finish a full antibiotic course even after symptoms improve.

Most UTIs are straightforward to treat once diagnosed, but some symptoms mean you should seek medical care right away. Contact a healthcare provider if you experience:

• Fever, chills, or nausea along with urinary symptoms
• Pain in your back or side, which can signal a kidney infection
• Blood in your urine
• Symptoms that don't improve within a day or two of starting antibiotics
• Frequent or recurring UTIs