People who are prone to bladder infections or otherwise experience frequent bladder irritation may want to reconsider their soda consumption, including seltzer water. While these carbonated beverages don’t directly cause bladder infections, their ingredients can exacerbate irritation, worsen infection symptoms, and slow the healing process.
Common Bladder Irritants in Soda
Carbonated beverages often contain various amounts of caffeine, sugar, and artificial sweeteners, all of which can cause bladder irritation.
“Caffeine is probably the most common and worst offender,” says Lamia Gabal, MD, a urologist in Tustin, California. “It’s a diuretic, so it causes your body to make more urine. Caffeine is also a bladder stimulant, so it makes your bladder squeeze more strongly and at smaller volumes.”
Meanwhile, excess sugar can contribute to more frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs). It also increases the acidity of urine, which creates an environment that promotes the growth of UTI-causing bacteria, potentially delaying recovery. Unfortunately, swapping sugar for an artificial sweetener can still lead to bladder irritation.
Seltzer Water and Bladder Health
Alicia Jeffrey-Thomas, DPT, CLT, a Boston-based pelvic floor physical therapist, says the carbonation in seltzer water and sodas is also a bladder irritant that can contribute to both urination urgency and frequency. She recommends keeping your consumption of seltzer water (and other non-water beverages) to just 25 percent of your daily fluid intake for optimal bladder health.
Urologists also advise against sipping seltzer like water all day.
The problem is seltzer’s carbon dioxide content, according to Austin DeRosa, MD, a urologist and urologic oncologist with UCHealth Cancer Center – Highlands Ranch in Colorado. “The carbon dioxide in sparkling water tends to irritate the lining of the bladder,” he says. “Carbonated beverages don’t cause damage to your bladder per se, but they can cause an exacerbation of underlying bladder symptoms.” So chugging sparkling water in place of regular water could result in bladder pain and increased urination urgency and frequency, especially for anyone who already has a sensitive, irritated bladder or urgency symptoms.
Carbonated beverages that also contain caffeine, sugar, or artificial sweeteners can further exacerbate these symptoms.
If you think your love of seltzer could be impacting your bladder health, Dr. Gabal says to remove it and other common bladder irritants from your diet. “Then add things back slowly, one at a time, to determine if your bladder is sensitive to these things,” she says.
If you can’t go a day without seltzer water, just make sure you’re not drinking it all day long. Dr. DeRosa says if you’re getting 2 to 3 liters of fluid (preferably water) per day, drinking a little seltzer water shouldn’t be too problematic.
If you deal with bladder irritation on a regular basis, consult your primary care doctor or urologist for help. With their assistance, you can address the underlying issue while still likely enjoying your favorite foods and drinks in the process.
Christopher Wolter, MD, is an assistant professor in urology at Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, Arizona. He has been in practice since 2008, specializing in the areas of urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, urologic reconstruction, urologic prosthetics, post prostate cancer survivorship, erectile dysfunction, neurourology and neuromodulation, and overall functional considerations of urogenital health.
Dr. Wolter has been heavily involved in urologic education. He spent the last 12 years heavily involved in resident education and leadership for his department, including the last eight years as urology residency program director. He currently serves as the director of urologic education for the preclinical and clinical rotations for the Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine Phoenix, Arizona, campus.
Wolter completed his undergraduate and medical education at the University of Illinois. He then completed his urology residency at Tulane University in New Orleans, followed by a fellowship in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive urology at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee.
Tehrene Firman is a freelance writer and editor. Formerly of Teen Vogue and Dr. Oz The Good Life, she now writes for Well+Good, Prevention, and other outlets.
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
Foods and Drinks That Can Irritate Your Bladder. Cleveland Clinic. June 14, 2023.
