Bladder-friendly foods and drinks in summer

Summer is barbecue season and often involves indulging in alcoholic drinks like beers and cocktails With lots of tempting food and drink on offer, your bladder may feel a little overwhelmed, especially if you have bladder weakness. With that in mind, we would like to make some recommendations for bladder friendly foods and bladder friendly drinks. 

Drinks  

First of all, it is important to remember that there are some drinks that should be avoided, including caffeine, carbonated drinks and alcohol. You can read more about foods and drinks to avoid in our article on changing your diet for bladder weakness. You should also make sure you stay hydrated, by drinking plenty of water.^[1] Don’t worry though, there are still plenty of drinks out there for you to enjoy and that will keep you refreshed during the warm summer months:  

Milk  

Milk might not seem like the most interesting option for a summer’s day, but semi-skimmed or whole milk can help to alleviate symptoms.^[2] Combine with some fresh bladder-friendly fruits, like blueberries (see below for more ideas) to make a delicious milkshake! 

Water  

Again, this might seem a little plain, but you could spice it up with some chopped fruit. Plus, the benefits to your overall health and skin will be enormous! Why don’t you try a homemade coconut-water-lemonade? Freshly made and stored in the fridge, it will refresh you on a very hot summer day and is still beneficial for your bladder health. 

Diluted Fruit Juice 

You can still enjoy a glass of self-made delicious fruit juice as long as it’s diluted with water.^[3] Make sure to avoid overly acidic fresh juices, such as orange and grapefruit, as these can irritate your bladder. You could even mix more than one juice together to make a tasty mocktail! 

Decaffeinated tea and coffee 

Caffeine is not great for your bladder, so switch to decaf tea and coffee. You could enjoy one on those cooler summer evenings as the sun goes down.  

Food 

Once again, there are, of course, some foods you may wish to avoid if you experience bladder weakness issues, such as spicy dishes and acidic foods like tomatoes, which can irritate your bladder.  Nonetheless, there are plenty of delicious foods for bladder health: 

Yoghurt 

Yoghurt is not only refreshing, but it is a great addition to a fruit salad and it is a great food for bladder health too. It is full of probiotics that promote a healthy bladder.^[4] Try some yoghurt and bladder-friendly fruits for your breakfast or make a tasty side dish for a barbecue.

Fruit and vegetables 

Fruit and vegetables are great foods for a healthy bladder. Upping your intake could really help to improve your symptoms, as they contain vitamins that promote bladder health as well as general health.^[5]  Some great examples of fruit and vegetables to enjoy during the summer are:

• Bananas 
• Strawberries 
• Blueberries 
• Watermelon 
• Coconut 
• Asparagus 
• Kale 
• Cucumber 
• Lettuce 
• Peppers.^[6] 

You could make a delicious smoothie, milkshake or salad for a lovely summer lunch! They are the perfect accompaniment to a barbecue. 

If you are considering changing your diet or if you feel that for some reason your bladder weakness issue is getting worse, iD recommends to first consult your GP or a healthcare professional.  

Whatever your plans are this summer, iD wants to help you live life in full view. Do you have any other ideas on how to consume more food and drink that benefits your bladder health? Comment below: 

^[1] « Bladder control: Lifestyle strategies ease problems », Mayo Clinic, 18 juillet 2017, source : https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/urinary-incontinence/in-depth/bladder-control-problem/art-20046597 

^[2] « Soothe bladder pain with these foods », Urology Specialists of Georgia, 22 juin 2015, source : https://www.usofga.com/general/soothe-bladder-pain/ 

^[3] « Drinking for a healthy bladder », NHS, n.d., source : https://www.bladderandbowel.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/BBC021_Healthy-Drinking.pdf 

^[4] « Diet Tips for a Healthy Bladder », 180 Medical, n.d., source : https://www.180medical.com/blog/your-diet-can-keep-bladder-healthy/

^[5] « How to Create a Diet for Your Overactive Bladder », Corey Whelan, n.d., source : https://www.healthline.com/health/overactive-bladder/overactive-bladder-diet 

^[6] Ibid