Some foods and drinks can cause a sudden trip to the bathroom.
By Anne Harding
Eating or drinking certain things can irritate your bladder, and this can be the case even if you don't have an overactive bladder. Basically, your bladder is sensitive to irritants that can trigger the urge to urinate.
Paying attention to these triggers, and avoiding them if possible, can go a long way toward reducing sudden trips to the bathroom. Here are eight types of food and drinks that can aggravate your bladder.
Citrus fruits
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) noted that, for some people, bladder irritation and inflammation can occur due to the consumption of acidic foods.
Therefore, it is possible that acidic fruits and juices, such as grapefruit and orange juice, could irritate your bladder, said Harvey Winkler, MD, former co-director of urogynecology at the North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System in Manhasset, NY.
But don't let citrus fruits keep you from other fruits that provide key nutrients and a healthy dose of fiber, such as apples, blueberries, and pears. Eating fruit also helps prevent constipation, which can sometimes affect people with overactive bladder.
Tomatoes
Like citrus fruits, tomatoes are considered an acidic food. Therefore, you should avoid tomatoes or tomato-based foods if you don't want an irritated bladder, as noted by the authors of a 2019 nutrition study.
If you can't stand the idea of not having tomato sauce, add a little sugar to the sauce to help reduce the acidity.
Other strategies include adding grated carrot (or simply leaving a carrot or potato in the pot for a while to "soak" the acid), mixing in some heavy cream, or even sprinkling in some baking soda (1/4 teaspoon per gallon or so) to neutralize the acidity.
Caffeinated drinks
Caffeine consumption has been linked to bladder problems, especially among older adults, according to a 2016 study published in Current Urology. In the study, 48.1% of patients over 60 years of age who reported overactive bladder had consumed more than 300 milligrams of caffeine per day.
"It's both a diuretic and a bladder irritant," said Dr. Winkler, meaning it makes your kidneys produce more urine and makes your bladder more sensitive. "I tell patients, 'If you're going to have a cup of coffee, wait, you're going to have to go to the bathroom.'"
So if you're a coffee or tea lover, stick to a cup, and also keep in mind that cocoa and chocolate also contain caffeine.
Alcohol
Alcohol can be another culprit behind bladder problems. Like caffeine, alcohol is a diuretic and a bladder irritant. Researchers in a nutrient study published in 2017 noted that alcohol has been shown to trigger the need for more frequent trips to the bathroom. They also found that, in the short term, consuming moderate amounts of alcohol had a diuretic effect on participants.
Dr. Winkler advised his overactive bladder patients who drank alcohol to stick to just one glass of wine or liquor a day.
Added sugar and artificial sweeteners
Natural sugar, and artificial versions like sucralose, can worsen overactive bladder symptoms for some people, Dr. Winkler said. If sweeteners cause you bladder problems, try eliminating them from your diet or using them as little as possible.
Carbonated drinks
You may need to cut down on soda or other carbonated drinks to avoid an irritated bladder. Carbonated beverages have been linked to worsening digestive and bladder symptoms, according to a 2022 study.
In addition, soft drinks often contain some combination of caffeine, sugar, or artificial sweeteners, all of which are triggers for overactive bladder in their own right.
MSG
Monosodium glutamate, or MSG, is primarily known as a flavor enhancer and is found in many foods both in and out of restaurants. MSG is also considered a bladder irritant.
If you are sensitive to MSG, carefully read the labels of soups, broths, salad dressings, canned vegetables, frozen main dishes, and foods containing whey or soy protein to ensure they are free of the additive.
Too much (or too little) liquid
There's no reason to overload your bladder with too many fluids, which, for obvious reasons, can aggravate your bladder. Drinking too little fluid can also be a problem because it can lead to overly concentrated urine. Concentrated urine increases the urge to urinate.
"Six to eight glasses of total fluids a day is acceptable," said Dr. Winkler. "It also depends on your activity level, and you should drink if you're thirsty, because your body is telling you something."
Your healthcare provider can help if you avoid or eliminate the foods and drinks on this list and still have bladder problems. They can help determine the underlying causes of your bladder problems and which treatment plan will work best for you.