They Were Wrong About Cranberries

If I were to ask you to name some of the best foods for bladder health, I bet many of you would say cranberries.

After all, whenever someone had urinary issues when we were growing up, the first course of action was to often load up on cranberry juice.

How wrong the "experts" were.

You see, cranberries are highly acidic. And all that acid can irritate the bladder and increase urgency.

Plus, most cranberry juice is loaded with sugar – another trigger for overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms.

So, if you're dealing with bladder issues, skip the cranberries and definitely pass on the cranberry juice.

While you're at it, watch out for other acidic foods, as well.

Like tomatoes and citrus fruits, which are known to worsen overactive bladder symptoms.

To improve bladder control, swap out acidic fruits in your diet, like oranges, limes, lemons, and grapefruit with less-acidic ones, like bananas, melon, and papaya.

If you're a soda fan, take note.

Not only can fizzy drinks tickle your nose, they can also stimulate your bladder, which can result in leakage.

Also, many sodas have caffeine, which is another bladder irritator.

You see, caffeine is a diuretic, which can increase urine production and feelings of urgency.

In place of soda, stick with plain water and drink it in small amounts throughout the day.

And if you're a coffee or tea lover, consider switching to decaf.

You know what else is also a diuretic? Alcohol.

So, you want to watch your consumption.

Not only can alcohol increase the amount of urine you make, but if you drink too much, it can disrupt the signals that let you know when your bladder is full, leading to an accident.

Spicy foods are another troublemaker for bladders.

For the same reason they make your mouth burn and your eyes water, they can also irritate the bladder lining and worsen symptoms.

Skip the heat to keep your bladder comfortable.

I've seen firsthand the toll bladder issues can have on someone's confidence.

The fear of coughing, or sneezing, or even laughing.

The exhaustion from repeatedly getting up each night to use the bathroom.

The reluctance to leave the house out of fear of having an accident or not being able to get to a bathroom in time.

Forced to wear dark clothes all the time, to cover up any embarrassing mishap.

The helpless feeling that you've lost control of your own body.

But with a few dietary changes, you can improve bladder control and reduce the urge to go, so you can cut the tether to your toilet and enjoy your favorite summertime activities once again.