Drink Up

You think carefully about what you eat every day, but do you also put as much attention into what you drink? The fact is that the beverage choices you make, as well as the quantities that you drink, can play a crucial role in your bladder health, as well as in your overall wellbeing.

What you Drink Matters

Do you drink a few cups of coffee every morning to jump start your day? Perhaps a soda to wash down your lunch? Maybe a glass of wine with dinner? You may not know this, but if you are struggling with bladder control issues, these choices can actually be making your symptoms worse.

What you drink, when, and how much, can all affect your bladder and how long you can hold your urine before releasing it. The experts stress that drinks containing caffeine such as coffee, soda, and tea serve as a diuretic, causing your kidneys to produce more water. And alcoholic drinks have much the same effect. In addition, caffeine can irritate your bladder muscle, making it harder to contain yourself until you can get to the bathroom. Further, carbonated drinks such as soda can also irritate a sensitive bladder and play a role in making your urine difficult to control.

Healthier Choices

With so many drinks on the “avoid” list, you may wonder what you can put in your cup to ensure optimal bladder health. Cranberry juice tops the “approved list” of most experts, who have long recognized the protective factors that this beverage offers against urinary tract infections. The benefits come in the form of a protein the juice contains, which trap and eliminate bacteria in the urinary tract, reducing the risk of infection.

Recently green tea has also become a possible “drink of choice” for people concerned with bladder health issues. In fact, researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine are studying the effects of this beverage on bladder leakage and painful bladder syndrome. Preliminary results suggest that some of the herbal supplements contained in the tea have anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce bladder irritation. Further research is needed to understand the relationship, but some experts have identified three separate compounds in the tea, one of which may even prevent histamines from being released in response to an allergy, which could be an added benefit for drinkers.

In addition, both cranberry juice and green tea are extremely high in antioxidants, offering additional health protection. It is worth noting, though, that green tea does contain small amounts of caffeine, which can irritate a sensitive bladder, so it’s important to talk with your doctor to carefully weigh the benefits and the risks against each other.

Finding the Right Balance

How much you drink also plays a crucial role in how well your bladder works. In fact, experts stress the importance of drinking at least 1 liter of liquid each day. Consuming less than this can cause your bladder to become irritated and can lead to infection. Of course there can be too much of a good thing. Most doctors will suggest you limit your intake to about two liters daily, with much of this consumed during the day, rather than in the evening before bed. Of course, always check with your doctor for recommendations geared to your specific situation.