Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are most common in women.  Statistics indicate that women have a 50% chance of contracting a UTI during their lifetime.  Ask any woman and she will tell you that they are not fun. It is important for both men and women to maintain a healthy urinary tract, however biology mandates that women be more diligent about it.

UTIs occur when bacteria travel up the urethra and into the bladder.  The most common type of bacteria E. coli, which is normal and healthy to have in you colon, but it travels to your urinary trat, it can wreak havoc.  If the UTI is left untreated, it can spread to the kidneys and cause serious health problems, which may require hospitalization.

Maintaining a Healthy Urinary Tract:

Keep your flora balanced:  flora are the bacteria and yeast that colonate your stomach and intestines.  Your intestinal flora affects your vaginal flora.  Consider adding fermented foods to your diet and/or taking a probiotic supplement. Check with Dr. Phelts at his Manhattan office.  He can recommend diet, supplements, and foods to help maintain a healthy flora

Drink plenty of H2O. Water helps wash bacteria from your body. Check with your Dr. Phelts on the proper amount for you.

Watch you sugar consumption. Bacteria thrive on sugar.

Consume foods high in Vitamin C: Citrus fruits such as oranges and tangerines are abundant in vitamin C. Vitamin C helps promote urinary tract health and prevent UTI.

Keep cranberry juice in stock.  When cranberry juice is metaboized, the body creates chemicals that dislodge bacteria from the urinary tract, so that they can be flushed out.

References:
NIH.Gov. "The Urinary Tract & How it Works." Accessed 14 July 2017 https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/urinary-tract-how-it-works
 

HopkinsMedicine.org "Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)" Accessed 14 July 2017: http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/healthlibrary/conditions/kidney_and_urinary_system_disorders/urinary_tract_infections_utis_85,P01497/