Nearly 15% of men suffer from male incontinence. Although commonly observed in men above 60 years, male incontinence can occur between 15 and 64 years as well. One of the most common causes is prostate removal due to cancer treatment. Damaged and weak bladder muscles, nerve damage, and overactive muscles of the bladder can also cause unintentional loss of urine in men, leading to incontinence. By modifying one’s diet, it is quite easy to alleviate the symptoms of male incontinence. Although there is no specific diet for incontinence, it becomes easier to manage by eating more of certain foods and avoiding others.
What
to eat to ease male incontinence?
Having a healthy diet is always good for overall
well-being. It is often the first line of defense against any ailment,
including male incontinence. Certain foods fortify the urinary and bladder
system, thus, helping in the better management of incontinence symptoms.
- Nuts
One of the most nutritious foods, nuts are highly beneficial for overall health. Pistachios, brazil nuts, almonds, pecans, and others are packed with antioxidants. Moreover, nuts like brazil nuts contain selenium, while pistachios are highly effective in lowering cholesterol levels. Moreover, almonds have been known to assist in weight loss. Snacking on a handful of nuts can do a lot of good to the prostate, bladder, and the urinary tract. Adding nuts to salads and breakfast cereals is a great way to include them in the diet to manage men’s urinary incontinence. - Berries
Packed with vitamin C, berries are really healthy for the prostate and the bladder system. Moreover, they are loaded with antioxidants that are really beneficial for the body. Berries have also been known to help manage urinary tract infections. A regular intake of strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries can ease the symptoms of male incontinence by alleviating bladder swelling. These berries can be easily added to salads, smoothies, and even breakfast cereals to get the best nutritious benefits. - Whole grains
Lentils, millets, rye, buckwheat, bran, oats, quinoa, and barley are loaded with fiber, which help in easing constipation symptoms. Constipation has been known to flare up symptoms of incontinence. Eating food high in fiber will help regulate bowel movements, thus keeping constipation and incontinence in check. Whole-grain based foods such as pasta, bread, crackers, and breakfast cereals must be an essential part of diet to tackle male incontinence. Those who prefer gluten-free options, buckwheat, oats, millets, and brown rice are good options. - Cruciferous veggies
Benign prostate enlargement is often a major cause of urinary incontinence in men. Veggies such as cooked cabbage, kale, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and broccoli have been known to be effective against prostate enlargement. Therefore, eating these cruciferous veggies can be helpful in the management of male incontinence as well. Furthermore, broccoli and kale are rich in antioxidants and vitamin C. Adding these veggies to salads, soups, stews, and stir-fried meals can be an excellent way to include in one’s diet. - Protein-rich foods
Lean meats are great sources of protein. Furthermore, they are easily digestible, thus, helping in the management of incontinence. Chicken and fish are packed with protein. Additionally, foods such as eggs and tofu must be included in the diet. Adding these to one’s breakfast or lunch will not only keep energy levels up but also ease incontinence symptoms.
What
to avoid to alleviate male incontinence symptoms?
Certain foods cause irritation in the bladder,
aggravating the symptoms of male incontinence. Eating these foods can cause
bladder spasms, men’s urinary incontinence, and a frequent urge for urination.
Avoiding these foods can help in easing these symptoms.
- Alcohol
Drinking alcohol has a diuretic effect onthe digestive system and the bladder system. It leads to high production of urine in the body, thus, triggering the symptoms of incontinence. Furthermore, alcohol can irritate the bladder. This can aggravate an already overactive bladder. - Caffeinated beverages
Tea, coffee, hot chocolate, and fizzy beverages have high amounts of caffeine. The bladder lining experiences inflammation and irritation in the presence of caffeine. Furthermore, caffeine-based beverages have a diuretic effect on the body, similar to alcohol. Even decaf versions have small amounts of caffeine which can cause bladder irritation and aggravate incontinence. Also, it is recommended to keep away from chocolate milk, made from either milk chocolate or dark chocolate. - Sugary foods
With chocolate being excluded from the diet, many may opt for other sugary foods to satiate cravings. However, sugary foods containing fructose, honey, and corn syrup can also aggravate incontinence symptoms. Even artificial sweeteners can cause bladder irritation. Thus, controlling sugar cravings can be quite effective in controlling incontinence. - Hot and spicy foods
An overactive bladder and incontinence can be easily triggered by the consumption of foods with too much heat and spice. Curry, cayenne pepper, and chilli are best to be avoided to lower the symptoms of male incontinence. Spicy food can cause irritation and inflammation in the bladder lining as well as the urinary tract system. Frequently adding hot spices to meals must be avoided in order to prevent the aggravation of urinary incontinence symptoms in men. - Citrus fruits
Oranges, limes, lemons, and grapefruits are loaded with vitamin C. Although these citrus fruits can meet the daily dietary requirements of vitamin c, these are not recommended to those with incontinence. This is because citrus fruits are highly acidic. These can irritate the bladder, worsening the symptoms of incontinence.
