Are you accustomed to pressing cravings, at the office, at the supermarket or on transport? Certain drinks consumed may explain this situation.
The “normal” number of urinations per day
Each kidney contains about 1 million nephrons, small filtering factories. After the nephrons filter the blood, excess water and waste become urine. Urine flows from the kidneys to the bladder through tubes called ureters. The bladder stores urine until it is full. On average, it is estimated that an individual without any particular health problem will go to the toilet between four and eight times a day. Concerning the urge to urinate at night, it depends on age. To find out more, read our article “How often is it normal to get up at night to go to the toilet? Our experts’ answer”.
If you’re going more often, it could be because of what you’re drinking, says Dr. Justin Houman, an American urologist at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, as reported by the Daily Mail.
Alcohol is the drink that makes you want to go to the toilet the most
According to the specialist, one drink in particular leads those who consume it to the toilet: alcohol. Whether it’s a beer or a glass of wine, alcohol plays a role in your body’s production of urine. How ? By blocking the antidiuretic hormone, also called HAD or vasopressin, produced by the hypothalamus, a gland in our brain.
The role of HAD is to regulate the quantities of water and salt in our body. It therefore acts on the kidneys, to reabsorb more water and reduce the quantity of urine produced. When it is blocked by alcohol, the consequence is the opposite: it makes you want to urinate. “Alcohol suppresses HAD, which normally signals the kidneys to reabsorb water. Without HAD, the kidneys excrete more water, increasing urine production.” confirms Dr. Houman.
Additionally, alcohol also irritates the bladder wall. “This irritation stimulates the detrusor muscle, which contracts during urination, making the bladder more sensitive and causing the feeling of having to urinate.”.
Energy drinks, in second place
After alcohol, energy drinks are the second drinks pointed out by the expert. Indeed, their high caffeine content from stimulants like guarana can irritate the bladder and reduce bladder control. “This irritation tells the brain that the bladder is full, even if it is not, signaling a need to go to the toilet.” explains the urologist.
The doctor also cites the example of Red Bull, which contains taurine, an amino acid. “Taurine helps maintain cell volume and increases the amount of interstitial fluid, which surrounds cells and transports nutrients and wastes. This can then suppress HAD, just like alcohol does.”
Coffee and tea are also particularly diuretic
Next, the doctor cites coffee and tea, which can act as bladder irritants. Coffee has the particularity of being a diuretic drink, thus increasing the amount of urine produced by our body. A recent study published in the journal
Current Urology found that just under half of participants over 60 who complained of an overactive bladder also consumed more than 300 milligrams of caffeine per day. That’s the equivalent of three cups of coffee or six cups of tea.
Sweet drinks, in fourth place
Dr. Houman finally mentions carbonated sodas. “These soft drinks contain dissolved carbon dioxide, which creates an acidic environment and stimulates the bladder wall”
he explains. This leads to cravings, not to mention the fact that some also contain caffeine. The urologist adds that “sugar and artificial sweeteners can also contribute to irritation“. He classifies fruit juices in this same category, explaining that “those made from citrus fruits are very acidic and can also irritate the bladder“.
What drinks are the least likely to encourage you to go to the bathroom?
Decaffeinated coffee and smoothies are the drinks that least encourage you to go to the bathroom, according to the expert. But be careful of the fruit used!
“Highly acidic fruits like oranges, berries or pineapples can irritate the bladder, while those made from low-acid fruits (like apples, melons or bananas) are less likely to cause problems.”
In addition to being annoying, frequent urination can lead to long-term problems such as incontinence, urgency and restless sleep, disrupted by trips to the toilet.