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4 foods to keep your bladder healthy and what to avoid

Not everybody knows this, but the food you eat has a massive impact on your body. Including your bladder. If you think of your body as a car, food is the fuel that’s used to power it. If you put in the wrong fuel, the car starts to break down. Your body is the same! In this article we’ll be taking a look at some of the food you can eat to maintain a healthy bladder, as well as what you ought to avoid.

Food that will help your bladder

Do you love eating? I do. So, let’s get it right. You’d be surprised at how much your diet can affect your bladder. Some foods can irritate the bladder and some foods can support good bladder health and even help you manage your incontinence. Here are some of the best foods to include in your diet if you’re working on your bladder weakness.

1. Cranberries

Cranberries are often associated with urinary tract health, and for a good reason. They contain compounds called proanthocyanidins (a big word to describe the chemical that gives fruits and flowers their colours) which can help prevent bacteria from sticking to the bladder walls, reducing the risk of infection. Cranberries can be enjoyed in many forms, including juice, dried fruit, or as a supplement. Cranberry juice is readily available in most supermarkets so it’s easy to find and not overly pricey.

a large amount of cranberries, the shot is quite close up

2. Foods rich in fibre

Constipation can put pressure on our bladders, which can sometimes end in leaks or accidents. Eating fibre-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can help keep the digestive system regular, reducing the risk of constipation and keeping the pressure off of your bladder. Getting enough fibre into your diet is sometimes easier said than done. If you’re one of those people that find it difficult, then perhaps consider picking up some Fybogel (a powder that when mixed with water and consumed will soften your poo).

3. Leafy greens

Do they taste great? Not really. Will they turn you into Popeye? Possibly. Leafy greens like spinach and kale are rich in nutrients that can support your regime of good bladder health. Most leafy greens are high in vitamin C, which can help prevent urinary tract infections. Adding more leafy greens to your meals is an easy and inexpensive option with plenty of health benefits. They’re low in calories and high in health benefits so you can pile them onto your plate guilt-free.

a close up shot of kale, a leafy green that is great for bladder health

4. Bananas

Unlike leafy greens, bananas taste great. They’re an excellent source of potassium, which can help regulate fluid balance in the body. This can be particularly helpful for those with incontinence, as too much fluid can put pressure on the bladder.

Food and drink you should avoid

As you may have guessed, unfortunately there are some foods and drinks that you’ll want to avoid if you want to maintain a healthy bladder. If you’re experiencing incontinence, the last thing you want to do is make it worse. But, if you’re not clued up, it’s easily done.

Don’t shoot the messenger, but alcohol, caffeine, fizzy drinks, spicy food, and artificial sweeteners are all bladder irritants. They can cause the bladder to contract more frequently or with more intensity, leading to leaks and accidents.

an infographic showing which food and drink you should avoid if you are experiencing incontinence

Alcohol is a diuretic, which means it increases urine production and can make incontinence worse. Caffeine also sits in the same camp, it has diuretic effects and can irritate the bladder lining; this is a difficult one to avoid if you’re a coffee fiend. Try switching to decaf if you need to break the habit. Fizzy drinks like lemonade, cola and sparkling water can be problematic because the bubbles can create gas in the bladder, leading to urgency and leaks. Spicy foods and artificial sweeteners have also been linked to bladder irritation and incontinence.

By limiting or avoiding bladder irritants, you may be able to reduce the frequency and severity of your incontinence symptoms. This can help you feel more confident and comfortable in your daily life, and may also reduce your reliance on incontinence products.

What to do in the meantime?

Let's be real, building a strong bladder and cutting out the bad stuff won't happen overnight. In the meantime you'll need a reliable, absorbent, affordable incontinence product right? We at Vivactive pride ourselves on providing premium incontinence items at an affordable cost. We're not here to squeeze you for every penny like supermarkets; we're here to give you the items you need at a cost that's fair. Take a look at our range below.

Shop the Vivactive range

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