Best Foods To Eat For An Interstitial Cystitis Diet

How Diet Affects Interstitial Cystitis

Certain foods and beverages have been found to trigger and worsen bladder irritation and inflammation, leading to increased appearance of symptoms and overall discomfort.  Though the underlying mechanisms are not well understood, current theories suggest that inflammatory foods can irritate the gastrointestinal tract that leads to a “neural crosstalk” that produces bladder discomfort. (1)

While dietary triggers can vary from person to person, keeping a food diary and noting any correlations between diet and symptom flare-ups can help identify individual triggers. And focusing on foods that lower overall inflammation and GI distress can greatly improve the way symptoms present. 

Symptoms and Causes

While symptoms vary from person to person, IC presents much like an ongoing UTI and can include:

1. Pelvic Pain: Chronic pelvic pain is a hallmark symptom of IC. The pain may range from mild discomfort to severe, debilitating pain.
2. Urgency: People with IC often experience a sudden and intense urge to urinate, even when the bladder is not full. 
3. Frequency: Increased urinary frequency is common in IC, with individuals often needing to urinate more frequently than usual, sometimes as often as every 10-15 minutes.
4. Nocturia: Nighttime urination, or waking up multiple times during the night to urinate, is a frequent symptom of IC. This can disrupt sleep and contribute to fatigue.
5. Painful Urination: Many individuals with IC experience pain or discomfort during urination, which may be described as a burning sensation or irritation in the bladder or urethra.
6. Discomfort During Intercourse: For some individuals, sex can exacerbate symptoms of IC, leading to discomfort or pain in the pelvic region.
7. Incomplete Emptying of the Bladder: Despite frequent urination, individuals with IC may feel like their bladder is not fully emptying, leading to a sensation of pressure or discomfort in the pelvic area.
8. Blood in Urine: In some cases, blood may be present in the urine (hematuria), either visible to the naked eye or detected under a microscope.

Potential causes of IC include:

1. Bladder Lining Defects: Abnormalities in the protective lining of the bladder may lead to increased permeability, allowing irritating substances in urine to penetrate the bladder wall and trigger inflammation and pain.
2. Pelvic Floor Dysfunction: Dysfunction of the muscles, ligaments, and connective tissues in the pelvic floor can contribute to bladder symptoms and pelvic pain in individuals with IC.
3. Autoimmune Reaction: Some researchers believe that IC may involve an autoimmune component, where the immune system mistakenly attacks the bladder tissue, leading to inflammation and pain.
4. Nerve Dysfunction: Dysfunction of the nerves that control bladder function and sensation may contribute to the symptoms of IC, including urinary urgency, frequency, and pelvic pain.
5. Inflammation: Chronic inflammation of the bladder tissue may play a role in the development and progression of IC. Inflammatory mediators and cytokines released in response to irritation or injury can contribute to bladder symptoms.
6. Genetics: There may be a genetic predisposition to IC, as it tends to run in families. Certain genetic factors may influence an individual's susceptibility to developing IC or their response to treatment.
7. Hormonal Factors: Fluctuations in hormone levels, particularly estrogen, may influence bladder health and contribute to IC symptoms. Some women report changes in symptoms related to their menstrual cycle or menopause.

If you want to learn more about IC and whether you might have it, you can read more here.

Following A Healthy Interstitial Cystitis Diet 

Foods To Avoid

• Acidic Foods: Citrus fruits, tomatoes, vinegar, and acidic beverages like coffee, tea, and alcohol can irritate the bladder lining and worsen symptoms.
• Spicy Foods: Spices and spicy dishes can be irritating to the bladder and may exacerbate urinary urgency and discomfort.
• Artificial Sweeteners: Some artificial sweeteners, particularly those containing saccharin, can make symptoms worse
• Caffeine: Caffeinated beverages like coffee, tea, and soda can act as diuretics, increasing urinary frequency and aggravating bladder symptoms.
• Highly Processed Foods: Processed foods, fast food, and foods high in preservatives or additives may contain ingredients that can trigger bladder irritation.
• Carbonated Beverages: Carbonated drinks can irritate the bladder lining and worsen symptoms of IC.
• Foods High in Potassium: Certain foods rich in potassium, such as bananas, avocados, and potatoes, may exacerbate bladder symptoms in some individuals.
• Artificial Food Additives: Some individuals with IC may be sensitive to artificial food additives like MSG or artificial colors, which can trigger bladder irritation.
  

Best Foods To Eat

While the list of foods to avoid when dealing with IC is long, the foods to embrace (foods that love you back!) is even longer.

• Water: Staying well-hydrated with plain water is essential for maintaining bladder health and minimizing irritation.
• Non-Acidic Fruits: Some fruits, particularly those with low acidity, are less likely to irritate the bladder. Try pears, apples, blueberries, and watermelon.
• Vegetables: Most vegetables are totally bladder-friendly, especially those that are not highly acidic. Try cucumbers, squash, carrots, and green beans.
• Whole Grains: Whole grains like rice, oats, quinoa, and barley are generally well-tolerated and provide essential nutrients and fiber without aggravating bladder symptoms.
• Lean Proteins: Lean sources of protein such as chicken, turkey, fish, and tofu can be included in an IC-friendly diet.
• Dairy Alternatives: For individuals sensitive to dairy, non-dairy alternatives like almond milk, rice milk, or oat milk may be better tolerated.
• Herbal Teas: Some herbal teas, such as chamomile, peppermint, and ginger, can be soothing to the bladder.
• Cooked Vegetables: Cooked vegetables are often better tolerated than raw vegetables, as cooking can help break down compounds that might be irritating.
• Low-Acid Foods: Foods low in acidity, such as most grains, non-citrus fruits, and non-tomato-based sauces, are less likely to irritate the bladder.
• Low-Oxalate Foods: Some individuals with IC find that reducing intake of high-oxalate foods, such as spinach, nuts, and chocolate, can help alleviate symptoms.
• Moderate Amounts of Healthy Fats: Including moderate amounts of healthy fats from sources like olive oil, avocado, and nuts can provide essential nutrients without exacerbating bladder symptoms.
• Limited Sweets: While some individuals with IC can tolerate small amounts of sweet treats.. Home made options tend to be recommended, using sweeteners like brown sugar, honey, sugar, maple syrup

Tips to keep symptoms at bay

1. Keep a diary of foods and symptoms each day: This will help you hone in on exactly what is causing your symptoms and help you identify your biggest triggeres.
2. Try an elimination diet: This can help give you insight on your unique triggers and give your system a rest and reset. Learn more about how to do an effective elimination diet here.
3. Drink lots of water: No surprises here. Staying hydrated helps your entire body function better, especially a condition related to your bladder.
4. Moderate sugar, fat, salt, and alcohol: No surprises here either. Moderation is key when enjoying the foods that don’t always love us back.
5. Check labels for sodium, added sugars, and trans fat/sat fat: These can be sneaky. Avoiding processed foods altogether is the best way to avoid hidden triggers.

Begin Healing From Interstitial Cystitis

If you are ready to get to the root cause of your symptoms of interstitial cystitis and get hands-on diet and lifestyle coaching, we are here for you. Schedule your health consultation today!