How Diet May Affect Your Bladder

Although there is no particular “diet” that can cure bladder control there are certain dietary suggestions you can use to help to control the problem. Many people with bladder control problems decrease their intake of liquids in hope that they will need to urinate less frequently or have less urinary leakage. While a decrease in  liquid intake does result in decrease in the volume of urine, the smaller amount of urine may be more highly concentrated. Highly concentrated , dark yellow urine is irritating to the bladder surface and may actually cause you to go the bathroom more frequently . It also encourages the growth of bacteria , which may lead to infections resulting in incontinence. You should not restrict fluids to control your bladder without the advice of your physician. 

Some food and beverages are thought to contribute to the bladder leakage. Their effect on the bladder is not always understood however, you may want to see if eliminating one or all of these items improves your bladder control. If you are unable to give them up completely, it is recommended that you use the following items in moderation:  alcoholic beverages , highly spiced foods, artificial sweeteners, tomato based products , caffeinated beverages , citrus and fruit juice.
 
Here are some substitutions: 
Low acid fruits: pears, apricots, papaya, watermelon
For coffee drinkers: KAVA (low acid instant), Postum, Pero
For Tea Drinkers: Non-citrus herbal , Sun brewed tea
Vitamin C substitute: Calcium carbonate co -buffed with calcium ascorbate

Although water is always the best beverage choice, grape and apple juice are thirst quenchers and are not as irritating o the bladder, Cigarette smoking is also irritating to the bladder surface and is associated with bladder cancer. In addition, the coughing associated with smoking may lead to increase stress incontinence episodes. Obesity can also contribute to incontinence.