Avoid Drinking Too Much Cranberry Juice If You Have This Medical Condition

Many people incorporate cranberry juice into their diets for its purported health benefits. Some swear by cranberry juice's potential ability to counter damage that comes with the aging process, due to its antioxidant content (per MedicalNewsToday). Researchers of a 2011 study in Food Research International found that while cranberry extracts had far more powerful antioxidant activity, the benefits provided by cranberry juice are nothing to scoff at. Others may drink cranberry juice regularly for better heart health, a notion supported by findings from studies like this 2011 paper in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Some even swear by its potential to fight infections, particularly in the urinary tract (though more research is needed to measure exactly how effective cranberry juice is for this purpose).

However, despite its possible health benefits, not everyone should be guzzling this burgundy beverage. Specifically, you may want to take it easy on the cranberry juice if you have an overactive bladder, as regularly drinking it may cause you to pee even more frequently than you already do.

As noted in a 2017 paper in Frontiers in Microbiology, cranberry juice has a pH of about 2.5, which means it's quite acidic. This is the reason why your overactive bladder's symptoms might worsen when you drink this fruit juice: your bladder can potentially become irritated due to the level of acidity in the juice (via Parkland Health). Much like coffee, tea, and coconut water, cranberry juice has diuretic properties that may encourage you to make more trips to the bathroom.

Interestingly, cranberry juice's tendency to make you pee more frequently may also be contributing to its reputation as an infection-fighter, as emptying your bladder frequently can help your body get rid of bacteria that can cause UTI. Some medical professionals even recommend drinking cranberry juice to help treat urinary tract infections (UTIs), based on a number of studies. In a 2017 paper published in Frontiers in Microbiology, researchers observed reduced colonization of E. coli bacteria in the bladders of mice that were given cranberry juice over a set period of time. Meanwhile, findings of a 2016 study in Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine revealed that drinking cranberry juice may actually have some "preventive benefits" when it comes to UTI.

Aside from cranberry juice, there are other beverages you should limit your consumption of if you have an overactive bladder. WebMD lists alcoholic drinks, drinks with caffeine (e.g., coffee, energy drinks, tea), fruit juices with high acidity levels (e.g., grapefruit, orange, lemon, pineapple), carbonated drinks, and artificially sweetened drinks as beverages that can potentially irritate your bladder or cause you to pee more frequently.

Unsurprisingly, the gold standard when it comes to drinks is still simple, non-carbonated water. You're better off making sure that water comprises at least 33% of the fluids you take in each day. You don't need to drink it all at once, of course; you'll also want to consider that depending on what you eat throughout the day, you're probably getting water from other sources, too (like soups or fruits). Ultimately, if your overactive bladder is giving you trouble, it's best to see a medical professional before you try any remedies or new additions to your daily diet.