Table 4.
Bench Science Findings on the Associations Between Consumption of Caffeine, Citrus Products, and Drinks with Onset of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms.
| Item | LUTS | Mechanism of Action | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Artificial sweeteners |
Urinary urgency, overactive bladder |
Rat and in vitro: Activation of T1R2/3 sweet taste receptors in bladder urothelium may result in bladder contraction | [29] |
| Urinary urgency and frequency, nocturia |
In vitro: Artificial sweeteners modulate L-type Ca+2 channels provoke detrusor muscle contraction | [30] | |
| Caffeine | Urinary urgency | In vitro: Increased expression of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) mRNA in bladder lining mucosa | [31] |
| Urinary urgency | Rat model: Affects capsaicin-sensitive ion channel which regulates pain perception and bladder contractions | [32] | |
| Urinary frequency | Mouse model: Elevated transcription factor c-Fos and nerve growth factor activate neuronal micturition centers | [31] | |
| Urinary urgency/frequency, incontinence, nocturia | In vitro: Heightened bladder sensory signaling, generating detrusor overactivity |
[31] | |
| Urinary urgency, overactive bladder |
In vitro: Affects bladder epithelium, causes changes in the biological pathways integral in muscle contraction | [31] | |
| Citrus foods | Urinary urgency and frequency, incontinence |
In vitro: Ascorbic acid increases both the frequency and intensity of muscle contractions in the bladder | [33] |
| Soda | Urinary urgency and frequency, incontinence |
In vitro: Ascorbic acid, citric acid, phenylalanine, and colorants in carbonated sodas disrupt bladder functioning and enhance bladder muscle contraction |
[33] |
| Spicy foods (Wasabi, horseradish, mustard, chili peppers) | Bladder pain | In vitro: Capsaicin and other chemicals found in spicy foods activate sensory nerve endings via TRP channels producing irritation and inflammation | [28,34] |