Vegetarian Diet: Researchers from the Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation in Taiwan have found that a vegetarian diet may significantly reduce the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs). UTIs, commonly caused by gut bacteria like Escherichia coli (E. coli), occur when these pathogens enter the urinary tract, affecting the bladder and kidneys.
Published in Scientific Reports, the study analyzed data from 9,724 participants of the Tzu Chi Vegetarian Study, which examines the health impacts of a vegetarian diet among Taiwanese Buddhists. The findings revealed a 16% lower overall risk of UTIs in vegetarians compared to non-vegetarians.
Among the participants, 217 out of 3,040 vegetarians developed a UTI, compared to 444 cases among 6,684 non-vegetarians. Notably, the reduced UTI risk associated with a vegetarian diet was more pronounced in men than in women, though women were at a much higher baseline risk of UTIs regardless of diet.
The researchers suggest that by avoiding common E. coli sources such as poultry and pork, vegetarians may reduce their exposure to UTI-causing bacteria. Additionally, the fiber-rich diet typical of vegetarians may hinder E. coli growth in the gut by promoting acidity, which could further lower UTI risk.
The study emphasizes the need for further research, including urine culture analyses, to better understand the relationship between diet, UTI risk, and specific pathogens.
