Although not quite established and supported scientifically, diet has been suggested to be a factor in the development of yeast infections in women. The main element being accused as a diet-related culprit is sugar.
How yeast benefits from sugar
Like any other forms of organisms, yeast thrives primarily on sugar. This organism needs sugar to grow and function properly. It metabolizes glucose from sugar to carbon dioxide and alcohol. Such process is called fermentation. In fact the alcohol by-product that is synthesized through fermentation in the vaginal area is the substance causing the burning sensation you experience when you have a yeast infection. This sensation is commonly felt during urination and sexual intercourse.
What are the sugars found in your body?
The human body contains several forms of sugar substances. The most popular of these sugar forms are those called complex carbohydrates. These complex sugars are broken down into simpler forms. You can readily distinguish a sugar substance because it ends in a suffix -ose, like sucrose. Complex sugars include sucrose (table sugar), fructose (from fruits), and lactose (found in milk and dairy products). Such complex sugars are catabolized or broken down into a simple sugar called glucose which serves as a building block of the body being an important cellular component and transported by the blood.
Yeast organisms can be distinguished in laboratory cultures by the type of sugar they ferment. The most common Candida albicans use glucose, another Candida species works on mannose, and so on. It is believed that fucose, another sugar type which is contained in vaginal cells, is used by yeast to attach to the vaginal walls.
How diet influences yeast infections
The concept of the link between glucose and yeast has led researchers to the conclusion that diabetes plays a role as an underlying risk factor for yeast infection. This is because it has been observed that yeast infections are more prevalent in diabetic than in non-diabetic women, and so dietary recommendations have risen everywhere.
However, research is still not sufficiently substantial enough to make any specific recommendations.
Due to the limitation of this evidence, it’s only safe enough to say that high sugar intake may predispose you to contract a yeast infection, as yeast tends to overgrow in the presence of increased sugar levels in the vaginal area.
Just follow a healthy, well-balanced diet and avoid too much sugar. And if you’re a diabetic, you need to strictly observe the diet your doctor has recommended for you.
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