Diuretic Foods vs. Bladder-Friendly Foods

Certain foods have a dehydrating effect and can increase the urge to urinate. However, there are also foods that are easy on the bladder.

This woman knows about the bladder-friendly function of proper drinking (Image source: PAUL HARTMANN)

Why do some foods increase the urge to urinate?

Diuretic foods, also known as diuretics, usually inhibit the hormone ADH (antidiuretic hormone or adiuretin) in our brain. This hormone controls the production of urine in the kidneys. It also ensures that water can be reabsorbed into the organism in urine that has not yet been excreted. If ADH release is suppressed, fluid accumulates in the bladder.1

Frequent urination is the result – by the way, even in people who do not suffer from incontinence. If there is also bladder weakness, the effect is of course much more unpleasant.

These foods have a diuretic effect

Foods containing alcohol and acid – which, by the way, also include many fruit juices – are suspected of having a particularly diuretic effect. Apple juice, for example, is perceived by many sufferers as a real burden on the bladder. This is due to the acidity on the one hand, but also to the high sugar content on the other. If apple juice in the form of an apple spritzer is stretched with carbonated water, this acid can also irritate the bladder additionally.

Do you have to change your diet completely now?

As a rule, this is not necessary, because a balanced and, above all, varied diet is the basis for your health. Therefore, you should not simply remove the vitamin-rich fruits and vegetables mentioned from your diet without further ado.

Our tip: Listen to your body. If you are not sure which foods increase your urge to urinate, keep a diary over a period of about two to three weeks and note in detail what you have eaten. Also make notes about how you felt after eating and whether you noticed an increased urge to urinate. In this way, you will get to know your body and especially your bladder better over time.

The advantage is that you can now only avoid those foods that have a diuretic effect on you personally. The restrictions are much smaller than if you cross off the entire list.

Alcohol, caffeine and carbon dioxide have a diuretic effect on most people and should therefore be avoided in the case of incontinence. Dehydrating tea, which mainly includes fruit teas, black or green varieties, is also not recommended. If you do not want to completely do without these foods, it is a good idea to reduce to 2/3 of the amount you drink, at least before going to bed. In this way, you can reduce the particularly disturbing urge to urinate at night, also known as nocturia.

Bladder-friendly foods

Pumpkin contains a lot of antioxidant beta-carotene, vitamin E and trace elements. Ingredients that can have a soothing effect on incontinence and diseases of the prostate. The vegetable is great in an invigorating soup, in pasta dishes or as oven vegetables. Pumpkin seeds and pumpkin seed oil can also be beneficial.

Cranberry juice can relieve the symptoms of a bladder infection. The proanthocyanidins contained in currants and cranberries can smooth the bladder wall and have an anti-inflammatory effect. Raspberries, blueberries and blackberries also strengthen the kidneys and can help keep the bladder healthy.

What is easy on the intestines is also good for the bladder

Certain foods that have a flatulent or constipating effect also put a strain on the bladder. This is because constipation is associated with stronger straining during bowel movements, which in turn strains the muscles in the pelvic floor. This weakens this important muscle group in the long run, which can cause it to lose some of its closure power for the bladder.

Therefore, make sure you eat a high-fiber diet and avoid foods that you don't tolerate well.

Drink enough!

The less fluid you absorb through drinks and food, the more concentrated the urine is. This irritates the bladder.Consciously drinking less to reduce the urge to urinate can therefore have exactly the opposite effect. Reach for still mineral water or gentle teas, such as rooibos. Diluted cranberry juice is also known for its positive effect on the bladder.

Adults should consume about 30 milliliters of fluid per kilogram of body weight daily. For a woman who weighs 70 kilograms, around 2 liters of water is a good guideline. A supply of sufficient fluids is not only enormously important for the bladder, but for pretty much all functions in the human body.

If you have heart and kidney disease, please talk to your doctor about a possible restriction on how much you drink.

Obesity as a risk factor

Simply explained: More fat in the abdomen puts more pressure on the bladder and pelvic floor. Therefore, if you lose a few extra kilos through a gentle diet, this can also alleviate the symptoms of your bladder weakness. Your family doctor will be happy to advise you on the right diet.