A cup of coffee in the morning is usually all that you need to start your day on a high note. You may be in love with your coffee, but you may also be wondering why you have to pay frequent visit to the bathroom. Is caffeine the culprit? How much caffeine you can take without experiencing any side effects? Can caffeine cause any permanent damage to your system?

Does Caffeine Make You Pee?

Yes, it is possible to start peeing more after drinking large amounts of caffeinated beverages. Caffeine acts as a diuretic, causing your bladder to fill more frequently. This makes you pee more than usual. Moreover, excessive intake of caffeine can affect the nerves that transfer signals from your bladder to your brain. Overtime, the nerves become so dull that your brain fails to recognize when your bladder is already full and this can lead to involuntary urinary leakage and other problems.

It is also important to point out that caffeine can affect the number of times you use the bathroom, but you have to consume a large amount to see its effects. In fact, you may experience caffeine's diuretic properties only when you consume more than 500mg of caffeine a day. It means you may start urinating more often if you are drinking more than 5 cups of coffee a day. You should not worry a lot if you have a cup or two throughout the day.

Just remember that coffee is not the only source of caffeine; in fact, you are consuming more caffeine than you might think if you also take energy drinks, soda, chocolate, tea, and some medications. In this case, you might end up noticing caffeine diuretic effects even if you are drinking fewer than 5 cups of coffee a day.

What to Do

Does caffeine make you pee? Yes, it can, especially when taken in a large amount. If you are experiencing any bladder urgency, the best treatment option is to keep away from coffee and other caffeinated beverages. People who drink more than 5 cups a day may become too dependent on caffeine, so they have to leave it slowly. Start by reducing your caffeine intake instead of leaving it suddenly.

Other Foods That Irritate Your Bladder

Besides caffeine, many other foods can also lead to an overactive bladder, commonly known as urge incontinence. Eating these foods may contribute to potential loss of bladder control.

While certain foods can irritate your urinary tract, the effects of those foods may vary from person to person. You may have to experiment a bit to identify exactly which foods are irritating your bladder. Here are some of the most common foods that may irritate your bladder.

1. Tomato Products

Experts believe that since tomatoes contain acid, they can irritate your bladder. Not only should you avoid tomatoes, you should also avoid tomato products. Some common products to avoid are ketchup, pizza sauce, pasta, and salsa.

2. Chocolate

Does caffeine make you pee? Yes, what about chocolate? Just like tea and coffee, chocolate is also a good source of caffeine, and caffeine is a diuretic. If you really want to eat chocolate, you should be going for white chocolate instead as it contains little caffeine. Dark chocolate is also a good option as it contains more cocoa – you might need a small amount to satisfy your craving.

3. Limes, Oranges, and Lemons

Just like tomatoes, you should avoid oranges, limes, and lemons because they are all citrus fruits. Eating fruits rich in citric acid can affect bladder control. Some of the most common citrus fruits to avoid are limes, oranges, lemons, and grapefruits. While these fruits contain citric acid, you can still eat them in moderation. Not everyone eating these fruits may experience bladder irritation, so be sure to experiment a bit first.

4. Alcoholic Beverages

If you are struggling with an overactive bladder, you should also avoid adult beverages such as wine, beer, and liquor. Keep in mind that alcohol in any form can irritate your bladder and dull your nerves that send signals to your brain to empty your nerves.

5. Carbonated Beverages

It is important to avoid carbonated beverages, including soda water, soft drinks, and energy drinks because the fizz in these beverages can aggravate your OAB symptoms. You may notice things go seriously bad if you drink carbonated beverages that also contain caffeine.

6. Spicy Foods

Eating spicy foods can cause watery eyes, burn your lips, and irritate your bladder as well. Consider eliminating spicy sauces and peppers from your diet to improve your symptoms. Spicy salsas should also be avoided, especially because they contain tomatoes. Just remember that not everyone having OAB symptoms experience bad effects of spicy foods, so experiment a bit before you cut out spicy foods from your diet.

7. Sweeteners

Does caffeine make you pee more? Yes, so do sweeteners. Research shows that natural and artificial sweeteners may also contribute to bladder incontinence. That is mainly because you have to limit your sugar intake when you already have bladder issues. Not everyone with bladder issues needs to eliminate sugar from their diet, so exclude it from your diet for some time to see if your symptoms improve.

8. Processed Foods

Processed foods are not good for your overall health. They are packed with artificial ingredients, such as preservatives and flavoring that can cause bladder irritation. Your aim should be to have a balanced diet that includes fresh and natural fruits and veggies. Whole grains should also be an integral part of your diet.