In a nutshell
This study examined the effects of coffee consumption on urinary symptoms.
The authors concluded that high caffeine intake is associated with increased urinary frequency and urgency.
Some background
It is believed that high caffeine intake can cause or exacerbate urinary incontinence. However, evidence to this effect is mixed, with some studies reporting no effect, and others linking coffee consumption to urinary symptoms.
Methods & findings
A total of 49 young men and women took part in the study. After a five-day abstinence, participants were randomly assigned to either consume regular coffee (450 mg of caffeine per day) or decaffeinated coffee (12 mg of caffeine per day) over the course of five days. Urinary symptoms were recorded throughout the study.
High caffeine intake was associated with a significant increase in urinary symptoms. Both urinary frequency and urgency were increased in the high caffeine intake group. No changes in urinary symptoms were noted in the decaffeinated coffee group over the course of the study.
Coffee drinking habits before the study were an important factor in how caffeine intake affected urinary symptoms during the study. Participants who had a history of ‘low coffee use’ (less than half a cup per day) showed a more dramatic increase in urinary symptoms with high caffeine intake. In contrast, those with a history of ‘frequent coffee use’ (more than 1 cup per day) were less affected by regular coffee consumption. However, frequent coffee users showed a significant decrease in urinary symptoms while consuming decaffeinated coffee.
The bottom line
This study supports current recommendations to limit caffeine intake. Among frequent coffee drinkers, decaffeinated coffee may provide improvement in urinary symptoms.
The fine print
This study included only a small number of healthy participants, and did not account for gender differences.
Published By :
Neurourology and urodynamics
Date :
Dec 24, 2015
