Bladder-Soothing Diets Health Article

Bladder-Soothing Diets

Your bladder is like a five-year-old: keep it happy and you won't hear a peep. Give it something it doesn't want and be prepared for a tantrum.

If you have Overactive Bladder Disorder you know how much you drink can affect how much you go. But, you might not know that what you're drinking and eating could be even more important.

Keep in mind that since no two bodies are the same, you might react differently to certain foods and drinks than others. OAB and other urinary disorders might need a little dietary fine-tuning .

Along with guidance from your doctor or nutritionist, use these tips on what to avoid and what to go after to keep your finicky bladder happy and you out of the water closet.

Beverages:

• Water: Too much water and you'll be in the bathroom, but not enough and you could be back in the doctor's office. Dehydration puts strain on the bladder, which can leave it open to infection. Find the right balance.
  
• Caffeine: Caffeine not only stimulates your mind but also your bladder. Coffee, teas , energy drinks and sodas should be avoided at all costs.
  
• Chocolate: Chocolate contains caffeine, so it's not as friendly as you'd like it to be. If you can't live without it, try less-caffeinated chocolates like milk chocolate.
• Alcohol: Another major offender all by itself. Mixed drinks usually contain caffeine, beer is mostly water, and wine generally carries high acidity, all of which will further irritate your OAB.
• Fruit juices: Juices high in acidity — orange, apple, etc. — are too much for a sensitive bladder to handle. OAB patients have found some success with juice from pears, blueberries, carrots and watermelons.
• Carbonated beverages: Even if your soda is caffeine-free, the carbonation can give your bladder some unwanted attention. Stick with non-carbonated beverages to be the safest.

Foods:

• Processed foods: Many processed foods contain preservatives that can irritate your bladder. Stick with fresh foods so you're sure what is and isn't in there.
• Canned meats: Like processed foods, canned meats have preservatives — not to mention high sodium levels — that can be bad for your OAB.
• Tomatoes: Unfortunately, this popular fruit has too much acidity to be caring to your bladder. Low-acidity tomatoes are best, but cooking tomatoes reduces the acid.
• Fruits: The same as the juices, those with high acidity are major offenders. Avoid oranges and apples.
• Spicy foods: Mexican food is no bueno. Foods high in peppers and spice aren't very nice.
• Vinegar: It might be a favorite among chefs to up the acidity in food, but your bladder won't be awarding any Michelin stars for it. Be mindful of what's in your salad dressings.
• Horseradish: The way the root irritates your eyes and sinuses when it's grated, the same is true for your OAB.
• Artificial sweeteners: Artificial sweeteners are excreted in urine and can irritate your bladder. They are yet another reason to avoid sodas.
• Onions: While raw onions give your sandwich that extra bite, they can also bite back. If you can't skip the flavor, cooked onions pack less of a punch to your bladder.

Good foods:

According to research, some foods that rarely affect bladder-sensitive patients include:

• Fruits: blueberries, bananas, cantaloupe, figs, honeydew, raisins, watermelon
• Veggies: asparagus, avocados, green beans, beets, broccoli, brussel sprouts, carrots, cauliflower, cucumbers, eggplant, peas, spinach, squash, zucchini, white and sweet potatoes, legumes
• Proteins: beef, eggs, chicken, pork, lamp, fish, shellfish, nuts (all fresh. No smoked or deli meats)
• Carbs: rice, breads, pretzels, popcorn, cookies, pastries, puddings, cakes
• Dairy: milk products low in cultures (non-aged cheeses)