Blueberries, bananas, watermelon, pears, papaya, and apricots are generally “safe” fruits that should not irritate the bladder.
Bananas and other high-fiber foods can be good for urinary tract health and preventing urinary tract infections (UTIs) by encouraging regular bowel movements and relieving pressure on urine flow.
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.
A person with interstitial cystitis can include the following foods in their diet: Certain fruits: avocados, bananas, blueberries, melons, pears, apricots, dates, prunes, and raisins. Some vegetables: asparagus, celery, bell pepper, broccoli, beets, eggplant, peas, mushrooms, and spinach.
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.
Bladder irritants
Certain foods and beverages might irritate the bladder, including: Coffee, tea and drinks with bubbles, even without caffeine. Alcohol. Chocolate.
Okay to try: white chocolate, non-aged cheeses such as cottage or American, frozen yogurt and milk. Vegetables Avoid: fava beans, lima beans, onions, tofu, soy beans & soy-based products, and tomatoes.
Allowed: Bananas, coconuts, dates, blueberries, melons and pears Avoid: All other fruits and juices (especially acidic and citrus fruits) Special note: Avoid cranberry juice. The acid is a strong bladder irritant.
Coffee, soda, alcohol, tomatoes, hot and spicy foods, chocolate, caffeinated beverages, citrus juices and drinks, MSG, and high-acid foods can trigger IC symptoms or make them worse.
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.
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.
Try increasing your consumption of fruits and vegetables, but be careful to avoid those that are too acidic and may end up irritating your bladder further. Fruits and vegetables to include: Broccoli. Bananas. Cucumbers.
Blueberries, bananas, watermelon, pears, papaya, and apricots are generally “safe” fruits that should not irritate the bladder.
You should start by eliminating, or at least cutting down, on the top seven irritants: coffee, tea, cola drinks, chocolate, alcohol, artificial sweeteners and cigarettes. You should allow at least two weeks without the food or drink before noticing any change in your bladder control.
In fact, only banana skins or extremely overripe bananas may have enough tyramine to bother IC bladders. Unlike many other fruits, bananas are fairly low-acid so they make an ideal choice for IC patients to experiment with.
Carrots (usually bladder friendly)
Oftentimes cooked onions are less acidic and more tolerable. However, if your bladder can't tolerate them or you don't want to risk it, omit the onion.)
Dairy: Avoid aged cheeses, sour cream, yogurt, and chocolate. American and cottage cheese, milk, and white chocolate are fine. Carbohydrates/Grains: Avoid rye and sourdough breads. Meats/Fish/Nuts: Avoid anchovies, caviar, livers, and meats that contain nitrates or nitrites.
The most proven treatment for interstitial cystitis is natural. Pelvic floor physical therapy resolves IC symptoms naturally and gets to the underlying 'why' of symptoms for lasting relief. Natural supplements and remedies have also been tested and proven to help those with IC.
What is this? The best diet to promote bladder health and improve IC symptoms will include: Water: Drinking enough water helps you void your bladder regularly. Chamomile and peppermint tea: Chamomile tea and peppermint tea promote bladder health.
When meal time rolls around, eggs are an IC patient's best friend. Naturally alkaline (with a pH of about 8), egg whites can help neutralize the bladder-provoking acids in other foods you may be eating.
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.
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.
Acidic Fruits Can Worsen Symptoms of a Bladder Infection
So try to avoid lemons, oranges, grapefruits, and tomatoes when you're treating a UTI.