​​​​What you eat and drink can affect your bladder. Foods and drinks can irritate the bladder lining and cause the bladder muscle to contract. This creates a strong urge to empty your bladder (urgency).

Cut back on the items below that you eat regularly for a few days to see if there’s any improvement. Check that you don’t eat or drink too much of the items below.

Acidic Juices and Fruits

• Apple
• Cranberry
• Grapefruit
• Lemon
• Lime
• Orange
• Pineapple

Spicy Foods

• Cajun
• Indian
• Mexican
• Thai

Tomato Products

• Fresh tomatoes
• Juices
• Sauces

Alcohol

• Acts like a diuretic (your body makes a large amount of urine quickly, which then fills the bladder quickly)
• Irritates the bladder wall and causes it to contract.

Caffeinated Products

Coffee, tea, colas, chocolate

• Acts like a diuretic (your body makes a large amount of urine quickly)
• Irritates the bladder wall and causes it to contract.
• Cut down your caffeine intake slowly.

Other Products

These irritate the bladder if used regularly:

• Artificial sweeteners
• Carbonated drinks
• Corn syrup
• Honey

Fibre

• Eating 25 to 30 grams each day plus drinking extra water prevents constipation and straining with bowel movements.
• Straining puts pressure on your pelvic floor and weakens the support structures.
• Eat bran, fresh vegetables and fruits, grains and whole-wheat products.