There are food and drink options that are good substitutes for those listed above, including: Low-acid fruits: pears, bananas, apples, apricots, cherries, nectarines, papaya, grapes and raisins. KEEP HYDRATED AND DRINK THE RIGHT KINDS OF FLUIDS.
The following foods are acidic and have been shown to be irritating to the bladder. These items should be avoided: All alcoholic beverages. Apples.
Fruits – while some fruits, especially citrus, can irritate the bladder, it's still important to incorporate them into your diet. Bananas, apples, grapes, coconut and watermelon are good options for those with overactive bladder.
Cranberries, blueberries, raspberries and other berries promote urinary tract health and provide protection against infection with an important compound that helps fight bacteria and keeps it from sticking to the lining of the urinary tract. One way to get a large amount of berries into your diet is through smoothies.
Blueberries, bananas, watermelon, pears, papaya, and apricots are generally “safe” fruits that should not irritate the bladder. Vitamin A. Magnesium. Water – drink when thirsty but restrict fluids closer to bedtime.
What foods calm the bladder? The American Urological Association also recognizes some foods as potentially having a calming effect on sensitive bladders. These foods include pears, bananas, green beans, squash, potatoes, lean proteins, whole grains, nuts, bread, and eggs.
The key is to know which foods are more likely to irritate your bladder and which ones are more likely to soothe. In general, you will want to avoid coffee, alcohol, citrus fruits, tomato-based products, artificial sweeteners and spicy foods.
Meat and fish. Lean cuts of fresh meat are acceptable, as are fish and shellfish. Nonacidic foods with healthy monounsaturated fats such as olive oil, flaxseed and avocados are quite soothing to the bladder.
Acidic foods and drinks, such as grapefruits and orange juice, can also irritate your bladder, Dr. Winkler says. But don't let citrus scare you away from other fruits, such as apples, blueberries, and pears, which provide key nutrients as well as a healthy dose of fiber.
Water is the best drink of choice to keep your bladder pain under control. It will also provide other benefits such as healthy skin, increased energy, reduced toxin levels, and a boosted metabolism. You'll want to stay away from acidic, caffeinated, or alcoholic beverages such as fruit juice, coffee, beer, and soda.
However, many people don't realize that eating yogurt can also play a positive role in your bladder's health too. Yogurt has active bacteria known as probiotics that your body needs. Studies show that eating yogurt may even reduce the risk of developing bladder cancer by keeping the cells of your bladder healthy.
Pelvic floor exercises, also known as Kegel exercises, help hold urine in the bladder. Daily exercises can strengthen these muscles, which can help keep urine from leaking when you sneeze, cough, lift, laugh, or have a sudden urge to urinate.
Tomatoes – The acidity in tomatoes may irritate your bladder. Foods that contain tomatoes, such as pasta or pizza sauce, ketchup and salsa, may also affect symptoms. Citrus fruits – Foods like oranges, grapefruits, lemons and limes are also acidic and can affect bladder control.
Acidic Fruits: Tomatoes, oranges, strawberries – all of these fruits have some degree of acidity associated with them. As such, they cause irritation to the bladder liner and urinary tract, which leads to more frequent urination.
"Drinking lemon water can be a healthy habit that encourages optimal bladder health by providing much-needed hydration to the body—and that's enough of a reason to drink it in the day," she says.
Green and herbal tea have also been proven to cleanse the bladder of unwanted waste and any irritants. Clearing the bladder of irritants can help it maintain healthy function and create a calming effect. These teas contain bladder-protecting properties and hydrating effects, restoring a troubled or irritated bladder.
Bladder irritants
Certain foods and beverages might irritate the bladder, including: Coffee, tea and drinks with bubbles, even without caffeine. Alcohol. Chocolate.
Chocolate can irritate your bladder for the same exact reason: caffeine. While it has less caffeine than coffee and tea, it is still enough to exacerbate bladder symptoms. If you just absolutely need a sweet fix, though, stick with white chocolate for less caffeine.
Nuts, when not covered in salt, can be an excellent healthy snack, providing non-meat protein and fats. But some of them can cause bladder irritation. The more soothing choices are almonds, cashews, pine nuts and sunflower seeds.