What Should You Avoid For Your Bladder?

​Tomato Products ​

Tomatoes are acidic and can irritate your bladder, worsening OAB symptoms. This includes foods like pasta sauce, pizza sauce, ketchup, and salsa. If your bladder is sensitive, it's best to limit or avoid these tomato-based items.

​Coffee and Tea ​

Caffeine in coffee and tea increases bladder activity. This can lead to more urgency, frequent urination, and incontinence. Reducing or switching to decaffeinated versions might help, though even decaf has some caffeine.

​Chocolate ​

​Oranges, Limes, and Lemons ​

Citrus fruits are high in citric acid, potentially worsening bladder control. Watch out for oranges, limes, lemons, and grapefruits. Opt for less acidic fruits like apples or bananas as part of your balanced diet.

​Alcoholic Beverages ​

Alcohol can irritate the bladder and interfere with brain signals related to bladder fullness. Limit beer, wine, and liquor if you have an overactive bladder, as they can increase urgency and frequency.

​Carbonated Beverages ​

The fizz in carbonated drinks can aggravate OAB symptoms. Be cautious with soft drinks, soda water, and energy drinks. Drinks combining carbonation with caffeine or alcohol (like champagne) are especially problematic for sensitive bladders.

​Spicy Foods ​

Spicy foods, like hot peppers and sauces, can irritate your bladder. They can cause the same burning sensation internally. Be especially careful with spicy salsas, which often combine spice with acidic tomatoes.

​Sweeteners ​

Both artificial and natural sweeteners can increase OAB symptoms. You might not need to cut out all sugar, but experimenting with limiting sweeteners in your diet could help reduce your bladder discomfort.

​Processed Foods ​

Processed foods contain artificial ingredients, flavorings, and preservatives that can irritate your bladder. A healthy, balanced diet focusing on natural, fresh foods like vegetables and whole grains is especially important for OAB sufferers.

​Onions ​

Like spicy and acidic foods, onions can cause bladder problems and increase the urge to urinate. Raw onions are typically the main culprits. Try cooking them before eating to lessen their irritating effect on your bladder.