Keep Getting UTIs? Your Grocery Store Meat Might Be to Blame
Key Takeaways
Almost 20% of UTIs could be from E. coli in contaminated meat, according to a new study.
People in low-income areas are more likely to get food-related UTIs.
Experts say washing hands, keeping kitchen surfaces clean, and cooking meat properly can help stop infections.
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are often linked to sex and personal hygiene.
But a new study found that about one in five UTIs is caused by E. coli from contaminated meat.
The Link Between E. Coli and UTIs
Between 2017 and 2021, researchers collected thousands of E. coli samples from human urine and retail meat in Southern California.
They compared the DNA from E. coli in the meat to that in urine samples to see which infections came from meat.
One researcher said E. coli has special DNA that helps it survive in a chicken gut and also in a human gut.
The study found that 18% of UTIs in the research were connected to bacteria from meat, not from person to person.
People in low-income areas had a higher risk, with 21.5% of UTIs linked to food.
The study focused on Southern California, but the results could apply to the whole country.
The researcher said meat is shipped across the country, so what people eat in California is similar to what people eat elsewhere.
How Does Raw Meat Cause UTIs?
UTIs usually happen when E. coli from the gut gets into the urinary tract through the urethra.
To help avoid these infections, experts suggest urinating after sex, wiping from front to back, and using showers instead of baths.
The new study shows that following food safety steps can also help prevent UTIs.
It's important to avoid mixing raw meat and salad on the same cutting board because E. coli from the meat can get onto the salad.
Eating the salad could introduce the bacteria into the gut, and from there, it can travel to the urinary tract.
The researcher also said people might not wash their hands properly, and that could lead to E. coli entering the urinary tract during bathroom use.
Higher UTI Rates in Low-Income Areas
Although the researchers didn’t look into exactly why this happens, several factors likely explain why people in low-income areas are more at risk for food-related UTIs.
Stores in low-income areas may not package meat well, increasing the risk of cross-contamination with other items in the cart or bag, the researcher said.
Even if people are careful at the grocery
Key Takeaways
Almost 20% of UTIs could be from E. coli in contaminated meat, according to a new study.
People in low-income areas are more likely to get food-related UTIs.
Experts say washing hands, keeping kitchen surfaces clean, and cooking meat properly can help stop infections.
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are often linked to sex and personal hygiene.
But a new study found that about one in five UTIs is caused by E. coli from contaminated meat.
The Link Between E. Coli and UTIs
Between 2017 and 2021, researchers collected thousands of E. coli samples from human urine and retail meat in Southern California.
They compared the DNA from E. coli in the meat to that in urine samples to see which infections came from meat.
One researcher said E. coli has special DNA that helps it survive in a chicken gut and also in a human gut.
The study found that 18% of UTIs in the research were connected to bacteria from meat, not from person to person.
People in low-income areas had a higher risk, with 21.5% of UTIs linked to food.
The study focused on Southern California, but the results could apply to the whole country.
The researcher said meat is shipped across the country, so what people eat in California is similar to what people eat elsewhere.
How Does Raw Meat Cause UTIs?
UTIs usually happen when E. coli from the gut gets into the urinary tract through the urethra.
To help avoid these infections, experts suggest urinating after sex, wiping from front to back, and using showers instead of baths.
The new study shows that following food safety steps can also help prevent UTIs.
It's important to avoid mixing raw meat and salad on the same cutting board because E. coli from the meat can get onto the salad.
Eating the salad could introduce the bacteria into the gut, and from there, it can travel to the urinary tract.
The researcher also said people might not wash their hands properly, and that could lead to E. coli entering the urinary tract during bathroom use.
Higher UTI Rates in Low-Income Areas
Although the researchers didn’t look into exactly why this happens, several factors likely explain why people in low-income areas are more at risk for food-related UTIs.
Stores in low-income areas may not package meat well, increasing the risk of cross-contamination with other items in the cart or bag, the researcher said.
Even if people are careful at the grocery
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