Does Diet Affect Interstitial Cystitis ?

Interstitial cystitis is a chronic condition characterized by frequent urination urges and bladder or pelvic pain, pressure, and discomfort.

People living with interstitial cystitis may consider it painful and uncomfortable, as no single treatment or cure is available. Therefore, many people turn to alternative treatments to ease symptoms of interstitial cystitis, including following an interstitial cystitis diet.

Some research has found that certain foods may worsen interstitial cystitis symptoms by altering the urine's pH or potassium content or activating pain receptors in the bladder. Therefore, consider making adjustments to your diet that may help manage pelvic pain, urinary urgency, and the frequency of urination.

Therefore, it's recommended to try an elimination diet for 1-2 weeks, which involves eliminating all foods that are possible triggers from your diet and slowly reintroducing them one at a time to evaluate which may cause symptoms.

According to the Urology Care Foundation, using a food journal and adding one food back into your diet daily can help identify which ingredients your body can tolerate versus which ingredients may trigger bladder symptoms.

Foods to avoid

The interstitial cystitis diet involves eliminating certain trigger foods from your diet for 1-2 weeks and reintroducing them slowly over time.

Some foods are more likely to worsen symptoms of interstitial cystitis, including tomatoes, citrus fruits, coffee, and chocolate.

Here are some foods you might need to limit or avoid :

Fruits: oranges, grapefruits, lemons, pineapples, strawberries

Vegetables: tomatoes and tomato products, pickles, chilli peppers, sauerkraut

Processed sandwich meats: bologna, ham, salami, cold cuts

Soy foods: tofu, tempeh, soybeans

Dairy products: yogurt

Chocolates: chocolate bars, chips, and candies

Condiments: chilli, horseradish, salad dressings, soy sauce, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup

Beverages: alcohol, coffee, tea, carbonated drinks, juices (including orange, grapefruit, cranberry, and pineapple juice)

Food additives: monosodium glutamate (MSG), artificial sweeteners

In addition to the ingredients listed above, you may also want to limit or avoid spicy foods, pizza, and certain types of cuisines — such as Thai, Indian, or Mexican food — to evaluate how these foods affect your symptoms.

Foods to eat

Though certain foods may affect symptoms differently for different people, some are less likely to trigger pain or discomfort than others.

Here are a few foods that are considered less bothersome, according to the Interstitial Cystitis Association of America (5):

Fruits: bananas, apricots, blueberries, dates, melons, prunes, pears, raisins

Vegetables: avocados, asparagus, broccoli, beets, eggplant, peas, mushrooms, spinach

Grains: oats, rice

Proteins: beef, lamb, pork, poultry, fish, eggs

Nuts: walnuts, almonds, cashews, macadamia nuts, pistachios

Nut butter: peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter, sunflower butter

Dairy: low-fat and whole milk, mild cheeses

Herbs and spices: rosemary, garlic, basil, oregano, thyme

Beverages: water, grain-based coffee substitutes

An interstitial cystitis diet could be beneficial for alleviating symptoms like bladder or pelvic pain and discomfort.

One study also found that removing common trigger foods from the diet reduced symptoms after three months.

Potential disadvantages

The interstitial cystitis diet may be challenging for some people depending on your current diet.

It also eliminates many nutrient-dense foods, including citrus fruits, tomatoes, soy products, and fermented vegetables.

Some people may also have to avoid soy-based protein sources like tofu, tempeh, making it more challenging for vegans and vegetarians to meet their nutritional needs.

However, keep in mind that these foods are only temporarily eliminated from your diet and may be able to be reintroduced, depending on whether or not they worsen symptoms for you.

Conclusion

The interstitial cystitis diet is an elimination diet that can help you identify foods and beverages that may worsen your symptoms.

For many people, avoiding foods that trigger symptoms can be easy, effective, and non-invasive to reduce pain and discomfort caused by interstitial cystitis.

However, remember that dietary modifications may not work for everyone, and other treatment methods may also be required to help provide long-lasting relief from symptoms.

The medical information on this site is provided as an information resource only, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes.

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/interstitial-cystitis-diet