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Vital organs in our body perform functioning including fighting, resisting, healing, etc. One of most important functions is that of the urinary tract – body’s drainage system for removing toxics (liquid-waste). In this drainage system, bladder is the storage unit that can accommodate of around 10 to 20 ounces urine until the person finds an appropriate time and place to urinate. This temporary accommodation of liquid-waste in the bladder is important as kidneys filter waste and water from the blood, they can’t contain that waste as it has bacteria, germs that are unhealthy. Bladder can take this waste and store it to be flushed out later.
So, a person with a healthy bladder has this under control, having proper intervals in urination. Weak bladder can lead to malfunctioning of this process causing the urine to leak out at any time without one’s control or may leak out to other organs. This can be seen in people suffering ‘weak bladder’ problems such as urinary tract and exacerbating symptoms like stress incontinence, anxiety incontinence. These cases are often observed in age group of 40s to 60s but can also happen in an early age due to eating disorder, stressed routine, artificial foods, etc.
If bladder habits are changed it may cause a problem with the bladder itself or the pelvic organs, or it may signal a larger systemic problem in the urinary tract. To avoid such medical conditions it is recommended to have a healthy diet with exercising schedule. But what foods can really help? The effects of various foods on your bladder vary from person-to-person, depending on the levels of reactions in the body. Common foods that are recommended to be avoided or reduce the use of, for a healthy bladder are listed below.
Tomato Product:
Tomatoes are an acidic food that can potentially irritate the bladder and lead to overactive bladder syndrome (OBS) with symptoms including an urge to go to the toilet, frequently going to the toilet, and sometimes leaking urine. So, foods such as pasta or pizza sauce, ketchup, and salsa cause acidic reactions irritating the bladder and must be avoided.
Coffee and Tea:
Caffeine causes hyperactivity of the bladder and may result in exacerbated symptoms, causing increased urge to urinate and very frequently, as well as increased incontinence.
Plenty of Fluids:
While it is said that liquid intake help avoid constipation and allow lubrication, but too much drinking can be harmful to your bladder. Excessive liquid intake can put pressure on kidneys to filter and flush them. This burden is passed onto the bladder and hence a person feels like urinating again and again, sometimes small amount of blood can be seen in the urine.
Chocolate:
Chocolate, like coffee and tea, also contains some caffeine, about ¼ of that present in a cup of coffee. Replacing your caffeine craving with dark chocolate is an alternative which contains more cocoa and very less of caffeine.
Acidic fruits:
A group of citrus fruits such as oranges, limes, lemons, and grapefruits cause acidic reflux in the body as they contain high amounts of citrates. This high volume of citric acid esterifies bladder control leading to incontinency, according to the National Association of Incontinence.
Alcoholic Beverages:
Alcohol can interrupt signals from bladder to the brain that makes you aware of when to urinate. This can cause bladder overflow and dehydration.
Spicy Foods:
The Urology Care Foundation has advised that as spicy foods have explosive effects that can cause unnecessary reactions, irritating your bladder. Spicy peppers, sauces and spicy salsas can make the bladder hyper. Avoid salads with tomatoes.
Artificial food ingredients:
According to the Cleveland Clinic, artificial sweeteners such as aspartame, saccharin contain harmful substances that caper our bodies especially weakening our bladder and are often linked to cancer. Eating calorie-free sugar can be a wise option. These can trigger overactive bladder symptoms like urinary incontinency, reactive incontinency, etc.
Tobacco:
Tobacco consuming leads to urinary bladder cancer due to carcinogenic chemicals that are present in the urine can damage bladder cells. So, minimize the consumption of tobacco and finally quit it which is a must.
Dairy products:
Although, dairy products are a healthy option but for some people all dairy products are of no good. It also depends on person-to-person how dairy products are going to react. Avoid aged cheese or milk products as they might contain bacteria that can cause urinary infections while travelling through the body. Boil milk fully before use this will kill the harmful bacteria that may be present.
To keep the body’s drainage system intact, plumb up the above foods in your diet to keep your digestion at ease and avoid the chances of you being embarrassed for leaking every time outside a toilet. One can get better results when this practice is clubbed with other important things such as keeping a healthy fluid intake; avoiding constipation and practicing pelvic floor exercises that keep your pelvis muscle in functioning.
