What Drinks Are Good For Incontinence?

If you’re experiencing bladder weakness or urinary incontinence, you wouldn't be alone in wondering what you should and shouldn't be drinking.

We’ve talked previously about different foods you can eat to help boost your bladder, but what about drinks? Believe it or not, there are plenty of things you can drink to help improve your bladder health.

Keeping yourself hydrated with the right drinks, can not only reduce the symptoms of incontinence, but it can also reduce the risk of infections, and support your urinary system's health. So, let’s break it down and explore three drinks with known bladder benefits. 

It’s quite common for people experiencing bladder leaks to think “If I don’t drink liquids, I’ve got nothing to leak!” and whilst the logic seems to make sense at first glance, it actually isn't accurate.

People experiencing urinary incontinence are encouraged to drink the recommended allowance of water (about 1.5 to 2 litres) daily. But why is that?

Well, the more concentrated your urine the more it can irritate your bladder, increasing the symtoms of incontinence and even lead to issues like UTIs. In fact, it’s thought that dehydration is one of the leading causes of UTIs. Whilst urinary infections aren't greta for anyone, they can be even more of an issue for people with bladder weakness, making leaks far more regular.

Routinely not drinking enough water can also limit the amount of urine that your bladder can hold over time. This can lead to your bladder becoming fuller more quickly. It's also been proven that dehydration can also increase the likelihood of constipation, which can put further pressure on the bladder.

With all that said, water comes out as the most important drink for improving bladder health. So, how does water help keep your bladder in check?

Drinking the right amount of water helps flush out toxins and bacteria from your urinary tract, which reduces the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs).

As we mentioned before, UTIs can lead to bladder inflammation and all kinds of other complications, that you simply don’t need in your life.

The NHS recommends drinking six to eight glasses daily to avoid dehydration and help prevent bladder weakness.

Concentrated urine can irritate your bladder which contributes to discomfort and urge incontinence. 

By drinking enough water, you’ll keep your urine diluted, minimising bladder irritation. You should aim for the colour of champagne. If you find your pee is frequently a darker colour then this is your first sign to drink more water. 

Regular intake of water helps prevent the formation of kidney stones, which can block the flow of urine and cause some of the most severe pain you can go through, alongside a whole range of potential bladder issues. 

Drinking enough water will help your body in the regular production of urine. This helps dissolve salts and minerals that could otherwise crystallise into stones.

Cranberry juice has long been known for its natural antioxidant properties which are known to help prevent UTIs, solidifying its poisition in this list as one of the best drinks for incontinence. 

As we’ve mentioned a few times, UTIs can be a real problem for those already facing bladder weakness. So incorporating a glass or two of cranberry juice into your day will help you keep on top of it. You can usually pick some up for a reasonable price in most supermarkets. Plus, it tastes really nice. 

We’ve mentioned that cranberries contain antioxidants, but what do they do exactly?

Cranberries contain a type of antioxidant called proanthocyanidins. It’s a bit of a mouthful, but essentially, these compounds prevent bacteria from damaging your bladder walls. By keeping the bacteria at bay, cranberry juice helps to reduce infections developing and spreading.

Don't worry, not all acidity is a bad thing for your body! In fact, cranberry juice has a natural acidity which helps to create an environment that makes it difficult for bacteria to grow and spread.

Some overly acidic drinks like alcohol can irritate your bladder, but cranberry juice, when drank in moderation, strikes a beneficial balance.

Cranberry juice is also a great source of Vitamin C, which naturally enhances the immune system. 

A robust immune system can better fight off infections, including those that affect the urinary tract and bladder.

A quintessential part of British life, did you know you can you can still enjoy a good cuppa even if you're experiencing bladder weakness or incontinence? 

The only catch here is you might want to avoid your traditional black tea. This is due to the high levels of found in black tea which can irritate your bladder. Herbal tea, on the other hand, is packed full of natural properties that have been helping support body health for generations.

Chamomile tea is well known for its anti-inflammatory properties. If you’re experiencing an irritated, or inflamed bladder, a cup or two of chamomile tea can help.

It’s also thought to help with other ailments like cystitis, a type of UTI.

Peppermint tea has antispasmodic properties, which are a group of medicines that help to control symptoms that arise from the gut such as tummy pain and cramp.

These helpful natural properties can help relax bladder muscles and reduce bladder spasms. Which makes them especially beneficial for people with an overactive bladder.

Corn silk tea is made from the silky threads found on corn. It’s commonly used to help treat bladder infections in traditional Chinese medicine.

It’s thought to soothe and relax the lining of the bladder and urinary tubules, reducing irritation and increasing urine secretion.

It turns out Aloe Vera is not just good for your skin, it can actually do wonders for your bladder too.

Aloe vera juice can help to soothe the urinary tract and reduce inflammation, making it a good choice if you're experiencing bladder discomfort.

Remember to choose a pure aloe vera juice with no added sugar, and as with all of the best drinks for incontinence, enjoy it in moderation.

If you're a tea lover but find that regular tea irritates your bladder, decaf tea can be a good alternative.

Decaf tea still contains antioxidants and can contribute to your fluid intake without the diuretic effect of caffeine. 

There's a wide variety of decaf teas available, so you can experiment with different flavours to find your favourites. Whether you prefer a classic decaf black tea or a fruity herbal blend, decaf tea can be one of the best drinks for incontinence when enjoyed as part of a balanced diet.

Managing incontinence and leaks is best done with a hollistic approach, including changes to your diet, daily routines and exercise. Whilst all the above drinks can go a long way to helping you improve you bladder health, here are some other ways to proactively manage incontinence.

The pelvic floor makes up a group of muscles that form a hammock-like structure at the base of your pelvis. Your pelvic floor has several vital functions: It supports organs like your bladder, uterus, and rectum, while also maintaining continence, and providing stability to your spine and pelvis. 

We brought in Natalie Small, a Personal Trainer and postpartum specialist, to talk through some exercises and their benefits. Learn all about them in the video below:

Caffeinated drinks like coffee, tea, and energy drinks act as diuretics, increasing urine production and potentially worsening incontinence symptoms. 

Caffeine can also irritate the bladder, leading to discomfort and making you need to go to the toilet. If you're a coffee enthusiast, try switching to decaf or limiting your intake to see if it makes a difference in your bladder control. 

This is starting to feel like we can't have nice things isn't it? Unfortunately carbonated drinks, even those without caffeine, can irritate the bladder and trigger urgency.

The bubbles in fizzy drinks can put extra pressure on your bladder, making leaks more likely. If you enjoy a sparkling drink, opt for sparkling water with a splash of fruit juice instead of sugary sodas. But remember, like with all things, it's all about moderation so don't punish yourself for wanting a Coca Cola now and then.

Alcohol is another diuretic that can worsen incontinence. It can also interfere with the signals between your brain and bladder, making it harder to control urges.

If you choose to drink alcohol, do so in moderation and be mindful of its potential impact on your bladder.

Want to learn more about this? See our blog on why alcohol is a bad choice for people with bladder weakness.

Depsite the many great things about citrus fruits and juices, for people experiencing leaks, the  acidic nature of these drinks and can irritate the bladder lining, potentially increasing incontinence symptoms.

While fruits like oranges and grapefruits are part of a healthy diet, it's best to consume them in moderation if you are experiencing bladder issues.

For some people, dairy products can trigger incontinence symptoms. This may be due to lactose intolerance or an allergy to milk protein.

If you notice that your symptoms worsen after consuming milk, cheese, or yoghurt, it might be worth exploring dairy-free alternatives.

We hope our recommendations around the best drinks for incontinence have helped you to make more informed choices.

Whilst we know it can start to feel like a lecture when hearing how many things you should be avoiding, always remember moderation matters. A glass of wine or soda now and then as part of an otherwise balanced diet, won't do any major harm.

The most important thing is to stay hydrated. Simply drinking enough water on a daily basis can go a long way to improving your bladder health, by diluting your urine and making it less taxing on your bladder and urinary tract.

If you're experiencing leaks and would like to find the best products to support you on this jouney, take a look at our range today.

Whether you’re looking for bladder supplements to limit leaks, or disposable incontinence pants that fit comfortably and work for you, the team at Vivactive are here to help.