NEW YORK, Jan 30: Experts suggest that a rise in urinary tract infections (UTIs) may be linked to what's in your fridge, with undercooked and contaminated meats potentially playing a significant role in the increase.

UTIs are among the most common infections in the US, affecting approximately 15 million Americans annually. Recent reports indicate a 60 percent surge in UTIs over the last 30 years.

It’s well-known that factors like sexual activity, poor hygiene, and female anatomy can increase the risk of UTIs by allowing bacteria to enter the urethra. However, experts now point to common bacteria found in undercooked or contaminated meats as a contributing factor to as many as 500,000 UTIs annually. Beef, pork, chicken, and turkey could be contaminated with E. coli, a bacterium responsible for infecting more than 250,000 people in the U.S. each year. This surge coincides with rising meat consumption in the US, which has increased nearly 20 percent over the past 50 years.

While most UTIs are mild and treatable with antibiotics, untreated infections can lead to serious complications like kidney damage, organ failure, and sepsis. UTIs occur when bacteria enter the urinary tract through the urethra, the tube that filters urine from the bladder. Women are particularly at risk due to their shorter urethra, making it easier for bacteria to reach the bladder.

Around half of U.S. women will experience at least one UTI in their lifetime, compared to one in 20 men. Sexual activity can also increase the risk by pushing bacteria toward the urethra. However, recent studies are highlighting the potential role of E. coli from food. A 2023 study by George Washington University analyzed samples of chicken, turkey, and pork, alongside blood and urine samples from UTI patients. The research found that between 480,000 and 680,000 UTI cases annually—about 8 percent—could be linked to E. coli strains found in meat. The increase in UTIs could also correlate with the rise in meat consumption, as US meat consumption has increased by 40 percent over recommended levels, according to the USDA.

Dr. Lance Price, the study's author, pointed out that while foodborne E. coli is often associated with outbreaks of diarrhea, it can also cause UTIs. He explained that raw meat often contains the E. coli strains responsible for these infections.

Roisin McHugh, a clinical lead at Oxford Online Pharmacy in the UK, explained that bacteria from ingested meat can end up in the feces, which can then enter the urethra during toileting. E. coli is the most common cause of UTIs, and when animals are slaughtered, the bacteria can contaminate the meat products. Though proper cooking usually kills E. coli, undercooked meat can spread the bacteria to the gut and urinary tract, leading to infections.

Experts also warn that E. coli bacteria are becoming resistant to common antibiotics. One possible reason for this resistance is the routine use of antibiotics in U.S. farm animals, even when they’re not sick. This practice eliminates weaker bacteria and allows more resistant strains to flourish.

Dr. Michelle Van Kuiken, a urologist at the University of California, San Francisco, explained that eating meat treated with antibiotics might contribute to the growing rates of antibiotic resistance. While eating meat doesn’t directly cause UTIs, it could increase the likelihood of harboring multi-drug resistant bacteria.

To prevent UTIs, experts recommend thoroughly cooking meat and practicing good hygiene, such as wiping front to back after using the bathroom to reduce bacteria entering the urethra. They also suggest urinating after sex to help flush out any bacteria.