From the Guidelines
Individuals with interstitial cystitis should avoid certain foods known to be common bladder irritants, such as coffee or citrus products, as suggested by clinical experience and limited literature 1. When managing interstitial cystitis, it's essential to consider dietary modifications to alleviate symptoms.
- Foods that can worsen symptoms include:
- Acidic foods like citrus fruits and tomatoes
- Spicy foods containing hot peppers or curry
- Artificial sweeteners, particularly aspartame
- Caffeinated beverages such as coffee, tea, and soda
- Alcoholic drinks
- Chocolate
- Certain fruits like cranberries and pineapple
- Foods high in potassium like bananas and potatoes These foods can irritate the sensitive bladder lining, increasing inflammation and exacerbating symptoms like urgency, frequency, and pain. The American Urological Association guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome suggests that patients become aware of and avoid specific behaviors that worsen symptoms reproducibly for a particular patient, which can provide some sense of control in a disease process that can be a devastating ordeal 1.
- Keeping a food diary to identify personal triggers is recommended, as each person's triggers may differ. Gradually reintroducing eliminated foods after symptoms improve can help determine individual tolerance levels. Staying well-hydrated with plain water and focusing on bland, non-irritating foods like rice, eggs, and certain vegetables can help manage symptoms effectively. Using an elimination diet to determine which foods or fluids may contribute to symptoms is also a useful strategy, as suggested by the guideline 1.
From the Research
Foods to Avoid for Interstitial Cystitis
Foods that can exacerbate interstitial cystitis symptoms include:
- Citrus fruits
- Tomatoes
- Coffee
- Tea
- Carbonated and alcoholic beverages
- Spicy foods
- Artificial sweeteners
- Vitamin C 2, 3
Dietary Recommendations
It is recommended that patients with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) avoid the above-mentioned foods and beverages to reduce symptom sensitivity. The use of calcium glycerophosphate and/or sodium bicarbonate before consumption of these trigger consumables may also help reduce sensitivity 2.
Alternative Dietary Approaches
Some studies suggest that a plant-based, low saturated fat diet may help lessen symptoms and improve the quality of life for women with IC/BPS 4. However, more research is needed to confirm the effectiveness of this approach.
Importance of Individualized Dietary Management
Dietary sensitivities can vary between patients and may be influenced by comorbid conditions, highlighting the need for individualized dietary management and the potential benefit of an elimination diet to determine specific trigger foods 3.