The 5 Worst Food and Drinks for Bladder Health
Did you know that 40 percent of women experience overactive bladders? “Take 5 women in a room and 2 of them are affected,” says Rupa Kitchens, MD, urologist at Urology Centers of Alabama. “And about 25 percent of men,” she adds. In total, about 33 million adults in the U.S. suffer from an overactive bladder.
Here’s the thing: an overactive bladder impacts more than just how many times you’re running off to the restroom. “It affects everything,” says Kitchens. From work productivity (how can you sit at your desk and get through a task if you’re constantly getting up to go to the bathroom?) to sexual health.
In one study, women with overactive bladders reported it hindered function, frequency, and satisfaction in the bedroom—a triple whammy. And that can take a toll on a romantic relationship. There’s a mental health component, too. “It predisposes people to depression because if someone is constantly wet, they don’t want to leave the house. So people stay home and avoid activities, they stick to the same routines like the grocery store because they know where the bathroom is,” says Kitchens. “In my opinion, the only thing worse is stool leakage.”
Turns out, some of your favorite guilty pleasures could be exacerbating the issue. In other words, what you eat and drink impacts your bladder in more ways than just filling it up. And, in fact, your habits now can impact your incontinence—or lack thereof—later in life.
Here, the five food and drinks to avoid if you have an overactive bladder.
Citrus
This includes lemonade; orange, grapefruit, and pineapple juices; and citrus fruits such as lemons and limes. The acid in them can irritate your urinary tract lining, including your bladder. For some people, tomatoes (which are acidic) can also be problematic. The good news? You don’t have to eliminate citrus altogether. It’s about moderation—Kitchens says a glass of lemonade once a month is fine.
Caffeine
Coffee is a common offender because it can full of caffeine (and we Americans love our coffee). Not only will coffee make you pee more often (it’s a diuretic), but caffeine also may have an “excitatory effect” on the smooth muscle that lines your bladder. Don’t drink coffee? Be mindful of the caffeine in tea, sodas, chocolate, and energy drinks.
Soft drinks
These are on the no-no list because of both their caffeine and carbonation. Why exactly carbonation is an issue isn’t fully known, but one of the largest published studies that looked at women and urinary incontinence identified drinking carbonated drinks as one of the top three diet and lifestyle factors (obesity and smoking were the other two) associated with the onset of overactive bladder symptoms.
Artificial sweeteners
Faux sugars found in “sugar-free” foods and candy, as well as diet sodas, can sometimes bother people, but, according to Kitchens, less so. That said, in one small study Diet Coke and caffeine-free Coke irritated participants more so than classic Coke and plain carbonated water. And then there’s an animal study that suggests artificial sweeteners may cause the smooth muscle that lines your bladder to contract more.
Alcohol
Not only does it make you pee more (just like caffeine, it’s a diuretic), but some doctors advise against drinking too much alcohol as they believe it can irritate the lining of your urinary tract. Though the research is still not conclusive when it comes to nixing alcohol if you have an overactive bladder, the anecdotal evidence (and MD advice) is fairly strong.
The Bottom Line
If you suffer from an overactive bladder, so-called behavior changes are actually the first line of therapy.
And number one, per Kitchens, is finding a substitute for what you gave up. “Don’t go without. Find something you like and substitute it for what you can’t have,” says Kitchens. Look for a flavored water or try coconut water. You can drink decaf tea and coffee in small amounts. Even a non-citrus juice, like apple juice, can be enjoyed in moderation.
If your overactive bladder causes you to leak, kegel exercises can help you control your urgency better. There’s also research that suggests being obese is associated with urinary incontinence, so if you’re overweight or obese, losing weight could be beneficial.
And then there are medications, which are actually fairly common. “Over-the-counter medications are available, but the possibility of them helping is low,” advises Kitchens. “I don’t have a single patient on that alone.” She recommends you see your primary care doctor or urologist to discuss the possibility of a prescription medication.
