Common Bladder Irritants in Soda
“Caffeine is probably the most common and worst offender,” says Lamia Gabal, MD, a urologist in Tustin, California. “It’s a diuretic, so it causes your body to produce more urine. Caffeine is also a bladder stimulant, so it makes your bladder squeeze tighter and at smaller volumes.”
Seltzer Water and Bladder Health
Alicia Jeffrey-Thomas, DPT, CLT, a Boston-based pelvic floor physical therapist, says the carbonation of seltzer water and soda is also a bladder irritant that can contribute to both urgency and frequency of urination. She recommends limiting your intake of seltzer water (and other non-aqueous drinks) to just 25% of your daily fluid intake for optimal bladder health.
Urologists also advise against sipping seltzer water all day.
The problem is the carbon dioxide content of seltzer, according to Austin DeRosa, MD, a urologist and urologic oncologist at UCHealth Cancer Center – Highlands Ranch in Colorado. “The carbon dioxide in sparkling water tends to irritate the bladder lining,” he says. “Soft drinks don’t cause damage to your bladder per se, but they can cause an exacerbation of underlying bladder symptoms.” So drinking sparkling water instead of plain water could lead to bladder pain and increased urgency and frequency of urination, especially for anyone who already has a sensitive, irritated bladder or urgency symptoms.
If you think your love of seltzer might be impacting your bladder health, Dr. Gabal advises removing it and other common bladder irritants from your diet. “Then add the items slowly, one at a time, to determine if your bladder is sensitive to those items,” she says.
If you can’t go a day without seltzer, just make sure you don’t drink it all day. Dr. DeRosa says that if you consume 2 to 3 liters of fluid (preferably water) per day, drinking a little seltzer shouldn’t be too much of a problem.
If you regularly experience bladder irritation, consult your primary care physician or urologist for help. With their help, you can resolve the underlying problem while still enjoying your favorite foods and drinks.
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