Diet Modification for Overactive Bladder: an Evidence-Based Review

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a clinical diagnosis defined by the presence of urinary urgency with or without urgency urinary incontinence (UUI) and is often associated with frequency and nocturia. First-line treatment for OAB is behavioral and dietary modifications because they have minimal side effects and high potential benefits. There is evidence that diet can have a significant effect on the symptoms of OAB. This has led to increasing interest in characterizing the effect of specific dietary changes on OAB prevalence and severity. The aim of this paper is to review the specific nutritional factors that have been found to be associated with OAB and describe the relationship between OAB and diet-related medical conditions such as obesity and insulin resistance.