Bladder incontinence occurs frequently, particularly as people age. Around 50 percent of women and 30 of men experience some type of urinary incontinence in their lifetime, the American Urological Association Foundation explains. There are several types of urinary incontinence, including stress incontinence, which occurs when you put pressure, such as coughing, on the your bladder; urge incontinence, a sudden, uncontrollable need to urinate; overflow incontinence, where you dribble urine constantly; and mixed incontinence, where several types of incontinence occur at the same time. Some foods can increase urinary incontinence; eliminating them from your diet may help with bladder control.
Alcohol
Alcohol, including beer, champagne and wine, all stimulate your bladder in addition to acting as a diuretic, the Mayo Clinic explains. Eliminating alcohol from your diet or decreasing the amount you drink may decrease incontinence. Substitute late-harvest wines, which are less acidic.
Acidic Fruits
Acidic fruits can irritate the bladder. The Cleveland Clinic recommends avoiding apples, bananas, cantaloupe, cranberries, grapes, lemons or lemon juice, peaches, pineapple, plums, prunes, raisins, strawberries and tomatoes for several weeks, then introducing them back into your diet one at a time to see if certain foods cause more of a problem with incontinence. Substitute blueberries, pears, or reduced-acid orange juice for more-acidic fruits.
Caffeine
Foods that contain caffeine act as a bladder stimulant, which causes urge incontinence, as well as a diuretic, which increases urinary output. Carbonated drinks and caffeinated drinks also irritate your bladder. Avoid soft drinks containing caffeine, coffee, chocolate and tea; substitute sun tea for brewed tea or switch to herbal tea, which usually doesn't contain caffeine. Although decaffeinated drinks contain less caffeine than regular versions, coffee and tea are still bladder irritants, so avoid even decaf drinks. Try white chocolate to satisfy your chocolate cravings, as it contains less caffeine.
Spices
Spicy foods can also irritate the lining of your bladder, increasing bladder spasms and the chance of incontinence. Avoid foods that contain barbeque sauce, catsup, chilies, mustard, onions, pepper, pickles and vinegar. Salsa contains both spices and tomatoes, a double whammy for your bladder. Avoid processed meats, which often contain spices, the Humboldt Senior Resource Center suggests.
Sweeteners
Artificial sweeteners such as aspartame, saccharin and corn syrup can also irritate your bladder. Avoid vitamins that contain added aspartame as well, the Cleveland Clinic advises.
