Header Links
Image with Border Independence Australia Logo

Optimising Bladder and Bowel Health Through Diet and Hydration

07 May 2025

Essentials

Diet & Hydration for Bladder and Bowel Health in Patients
Jane Clarke author

Jane Clarke

Continence Nurse Consultant

Jane is a Continence Nurse Consultant with over 25 years of experience. She has worked in public health, private enterprise, and industry spheres, and has achieved a Masters in both Nursing and Business Administration. Jane is passionate about health equity and education. In her spare time Jane loves spending time in nature and exploring new places with her family.

References

1. National Association for Continence. 2025. Diet tips for incontinence [online]. Available from: https://nafc.org/diet-habits-for-bladder-health/ [accessed 14 April 2025].

2. Epstein, M. 1997. Alcohol’s impact on kidney function. Alcohol Health and Research World, 21(1), pp. 84-92.

3. Bode, C. and Bode, J. C. 2003. Effect of Alcohol Consumption on the gut. Best Practice and Research Clinical Gastroenterology, 17(4), pp. 575-592.

4. Nehlig, A. 2022. Effects of coffee on the gastro-intestinal tract: a narrative review and literature update. Nutrients, 14(2), pp. 399.

5. Kempinski, R., Arabasz, D., and Neubauer, K. 2024. Effects of milk and dairy on the risk and course of inflammatory bowel disease versus patient’s dietary beliefs and practices: a systematic review. Nutrients, 16(15), pp. 2555.

6. Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust. 2024. How drinks affect your bladder and bowel [online]. Available from: https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/health-information/how-drinks-affect-your-bladder-and-bowel [accessed 14 April 2025].

7. Hoyle, J. 2020. How to keep your bowels healthy [online]. Available from: https://www.bbuk.org.uk/how-to-keep-your-bowels-healthy-in-2020/ [accessed 15.4.25].

8. National Health Service. 2022. How to get more fibre into your diet [online]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/digestive-health/how-to-get-more-fibre-into-your-diet/#:~:text=Government%20guidelines%20say%20our%20dietary,ways%20of%20increasing%20our%20intake. [accessed 15 April 2025].

9. Metalonis, J. 2022. Spicy food challenges: harmful or healthy? [online]. Available from: https://www.uhhospitals.org/blog/articles/2022/06/spicy-food-challenges-harmful-or-healthy#:~:text=An%20increased%20rate%20of%20digestion,trigger%20more%20TRPV1%20pain%20receptors [accessed 15 April 2025].

10. Narula N, Wong E C L, Dehghan M, Mente A, Rangarajan S, Lanas F et al. 2021. Association of ultra-processed food intake with risk of inflammatory bowel disease: prospective cohort study. British Medical Journal, 374, pp.1554.

11. Salazar, A. M., Neugent, M. L., De Nisco, N. J., and Mysorekar, I. U. 2022. Gut-bladder axis enters the stage: Implication for recurrent urinary tract infections. Cell Host & Microbe [online], 30(8), pp.1066–1069. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chom.2022.07.008 [accessed 19 April 2025].

12. British Heart Foundation. 2020. What foods help gut bacteria? [online]. Available at: https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/nutrition/ask-the-expert/what-foods-help-gut-bacteria [accessed 19 April 2025].