For several thousand years, people have passed down a saying attributed to the Greek philosopher and physician Hippocrates: “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food”. Physicians today agree that nutrition and the foods we eat can play an important role in maintaining our health. In today’s article, we will discuss how common foods can negatively or positively impact the urinary tract.
Urinary Tract Infections (UTI)
Staying hydrated is one of the best ways to keep your urinary tract healthy. Drinking water throughout the day helps flush bacteria from the urinary tract, which may reduce the risk of bladder or kidney infection. Staying on top of hydration can also prevent constipation – something that is not only unpleasant but increases your risk of UTI.
Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes are good sources of fiber. Fruits and vegetables are also beneficial because they contain antioxidants and vitamin C, which supports the immune system, an important line of defense against infection. There is also some evidence that cranberries and cranberry juices may reduce the risk of UTI in some people. Cranberries contain proanthocyanidins, substances that can prevent bacteria from sticking to the walls of the bladder. If you do choose to consume cranberry juice, aim for unsweetened varieties. Sweetened cranberry juice contains a lot of sugar, which can have negative impacts on health.
Overactive Bladder and Urinary Continence
Overactive bladder symptoms can be exacerbated by consuming foods or beverages that irritate the lining of the bladder. Some common bladder irritants include caffeinated products like coffee or chocolate, spicy foods, acidic foods such as citrus or tomato-based products and certain artificial sweeteners such as those found in diet beverages. One study found that women consuming more than one serving per day of artificially sweetened beverages had 10% greater odds of reporting urinary incontinence. While eliminating these items entirely may be a challenge, consider limiting intake and consuming water along with them. This way, the irritants can be diluted and flushed from the bladder more effectively.
Fiber intake can also help with overactive bladder. Constipation causes the bowel to distend, placing pressure on the bladder. This can contribute to urinary frequency, urgency, and incontinence.
Kidney and Bladder Stones
Normal urine contains dissolved minerals and salts. When your body holds excessive amounts of these substances, it can result in the formation of kidney or bladder stones. Certain health conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity may increase the risk of stones, but people without underlying conditions can also form stones.
There are four main types of urinary tract stones - calcium stones, uric acid stones, struvite stones, and cystine stones. If you have urinary tract stones, you should see a urologist. The urologist can test the stones to see what they are made of. Depending on the type of stone, specific dietary changes may help reduce the risk of stone recurrence. Ask your doctor about what types of foods to avoid if you have been diagnosed with urinary tract stones.
Smoking Cessation
While the use of tobacco is not technically a food, quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your bladder. While most people are familiar with cigarettes causing lung cancer, smoking is also a major cause of bladder cancer, thought to be responsible for approximately 50% to 65% of new cases every year. Smoking also contributes to the risk and severity of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). Because smoking harms the blood vessels, the delicate vessels used in the kidney’s filtration system are particularly vulnerable to damage, resulting in the need for dialysis or a kidney transplant. Quitting smoking can improve kidney health, slow the progression of existing kidney disease, and reduce the risk of kidney cancer. Cigarettes are addictive, and it can be hard to stop. Talk to your doctor about a smoking cessation program – there are medications and other interventions that can help.
Surgery
If you have recently had bladder surgery, protein can be an important component of healing. It is recommended to consume between 1.5 to 2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight throughout the day. Protein is essential for wound healing and tissue repair, and individuals who eat enough protein tend to have faster recover rates and less surgical complications than those who are deficient. Aim to eat lean protein such as fish, chicken, nuts, or beans with each meal to help ensure you are getting your protein requirements met.
Conclusion
Nutritional changes alone are not recommended as a substitute for medical treatment; however, nutritional changes may support your overall bladder health and compliment the medical treatment you are currently receiving. Please discuss your nutritional intake with your healthcare provider prior to initiating changes.
If you want to learn more about bladder health, consider visiting the American Urological Association’s collection of educational materials about urinary health. You can access these resources here: https://www.urologyhealth.org/educational-resources
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Disclaimer: This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For medical advice, please speak with your healthcare provider.
References
Leslie SW, Sajjad H, Murphy PB. Renal Calculi, Nephrolithiasis. [Updated 2024 Apr 20]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK442014/
Mori K, Mostafaei H, Abufaraj M, Yang L, Egawa S, Shariat SF. Smoking and bladder cancer: review of the recent literature. Curr Opin Urol. 2020;30(5):720-725. doi:10.1097/MOU.0000000000000804
Nunes EA, Colenso-Semple L, McKellar SR, et al. Systematic review and meta-analysis of protein intake to support muscle mass and function in healthy adults. J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle. 2022;13(2):795-810. doi:10.1002/jcsm.12922
Ringel NE, Hovey KM, Andrews CA, et al. Artificially sweetened beverages and urinary incontinence-a secondary analysis of the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study. Menopause. 2023;30(3):283-288. doi:10.1097/GME.0000000000002129
