Clinical Report: Plant-Based Diets Linked to Fewer Recurrent UTIs
Overview
A study presented at the 2026 American Urological Association Annual Meeting found that women following plant-based diets reported lower rates of recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) compared to nonvegetarians. The analysis included over 57,000 women and indicated a significant association between dietary patterns and recurrent UTI prevalence.
Background
Recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a common issue among women, often leading to repeated antibiotic use. This study adds to the body of evidence exploring dietary influences on UTI prevalence.
Data Highlights
| Diet Type | Recurrent UTI Rate |
|---|---|
| Nonvegetarian | 14% |
| Pesco-vegetarian | 14% |
| Lacto-ovo vegetarian | 12% |
| Vegan | 10% |
Key Findings
- Recurrent UTI prevalence was highest among nonvegetarians (14%) and lowest among vegans (10%).
- Lacto-ovo vegetarians had a 23% lower odds of recurrent UTI compared to nonvegetarians.
- Vegans had a 31% lower odds of recurrent UTI compared to nonvegetarians.
- Diet remained significantly associated with recurrent UTI after adjusting for age, body mass index, race, diabetes, and menopausal status.
- The study was observational and does not establish causation between diet and recurrent UTI risk.
Clinical Implications
The findings indicate that dietary patterns may be associated with the prevalence of recurrent UTIs among women.
Conclusion
This study presents findings on the association between plant-based diets and lower rates of recurrent UTIs in women, warranting further investigation.
Related Resources & Content
- Comiter CV, American Urological Association, 2026 -- Plant-Based Diets Linked to Fewer Recurrent UTIs
- The New Gastroenterologist, 2025 -- Quality, not type, of diet linked to microbiome health
- The New Gastroenterologist, 2025 -- Variability in Plant-based Diets and Their Impact on Inflammatory Bowel Disease Risk
- The ASCO Post, 2024 -- Plant-Based Diet May Offer Benefit in Patients With Prostate Cancer
- conexiant — Dietary Fiber Linked to Reduced Diverticulitis Risk
- American Urological Association Release Recurrent
- Methenamine hippurate as prophylaxis for recurrent urinary tract infections in older women-a triple-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, phase IV trial (ImpresU) - PubMed
- Differences in the Prevalence of Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections in Women Based on Dietary Habits - Urology
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