Incontinence affects millions of Americans, including over 50 percent of seniors. 

If you’ve been struggling with incontinence, regardless of your age, you may want to take a closer look at your diet. You may be consuming foods on a regular basis that exacerbate your problems. 

 Read on to learn about some foods and drinks that are most likely to make incontinence symptoms worse.

Coffee and Tea

 Coffee and tea (both caffeinated and non-caffeinated) have diuretic properties. For sensitive people who struggle with incontinence, this can cause them to have to visit the bathroom more often or be more prone to accidents. 

Citrus 

Citrus foods are often not recommended for those with incontinence. Foods like oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruits (as well as their juices) have the potential to be irritating and are known to make bladder control issues worse for lots of people.  

Alcohol 

Alcohol is another diuretic beverage that’s not ideal for people with incontinence. It can irritate the bladder, and it may also cloud your judgment. This, in turn, can make it harder for you to stick to a bathroom schedule and avoid accidents. 

Chocolate 

Yes, unfortunately, chocolate can cause irritation for some incontinent individuals. This is because it contains a small amount of caffeine. If you don’t want to give up chocolate altogether, consider switching to white chocolate, which does not contain any caffeine at all. 

Spicy Foods 

For many people with incontinence, spicy foods cause problems. They can be irritating to the bladder, and they can also make for some rather uncomfortable trips to the bathroom. 

Sweeteners 

Both natural sweeteners like sugar and artificial sweeteners like Splenda or Stevia can make incontinence symptoms worse. You don’t have to cut them out completely, but reducing your intake can help.  

Processed Foods 

Finally, it’s best to avoid processed foods (chips, crackers, cookies, fast food, etc.) or at least enjoy them in moderation when you’re dealing with incontinence. They often contain artificial ingredients and preservatives that can trigger bladder irritation. 

Is It Time for a Diet Change? 

As you can see, there are quite a few different foods and beverages you may want to start avoiding if you struggle with incontinence. Eliminating these items for a while and then adding them back in one by one can help you figure out which ones are most problematic for you.If you need more information on managing incontinence or shopping for incontinence products, check out some of the other articles on our site today.