JHPN: The Mediterranean Diet Helps Regulate Bladder Function

The Mediterranean diet reduces the risk of developing overactive bladder (OAB) — a condition characterized by frequent and sudden urges to urinate. This conclusion was reached by scientists from Lanzhou University (China), and the results were published in the Journal of Health, Population, and Nutrition (JHPN).

The authors analyzed data from more than 23,000 U.S. adults under the age of 65, collected during the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2005 to 2018. Participants were divided into groups based on how closely they adhered to the principles of the Mediterranean diet, which emphasizes high consumption of fruits, vegetables, fish, nuts, and olive oil.

The study found that people with the highest adherence to the Mediterranean diet had a significantly lower likelihood of developing overactive bladder. This association remained strong even after adjusting for multiple factors — including age, sex, income, education, chronic diseases, and lifestyle habits such as smoking and alcohol consumption.

Researchers explained that in OAB, the muscular wall of the bladder contracts even when the organ is only slightly full. This condition can occur at any age but is more common among older adults.

According to the scientists, the findings suggest that a plant-based, healthy-fat-rich diet may have beneficial effects not only on the cardiovascular system but also on urinary tract health.