Can decaffeinated coffee help with an overactive bladder (OAB)?

Recent research has been shone a light on the potential association between wet overactive bladder (OAB) conditions and the consumption of tea, coffee and caffeine, but what about decaffeinated coffee?

Research by Fucai Tang, Jiahao Zhang, Ruiying Huang, Haobin Zhou, Ting Yan, Zhicheng Tang, Zhibiao Li, Zechao Lu, Shuqiang Huang, and Zhaohui He published in Clinical Nutrition provides new insights into the relationship between the consumption of tea, coffee, caffeine and the risk of wet OAB.

What was the Study?

The study leverages data from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) spanning from 2005 to 2018 offering a comprehensive analysis of this association.

The researchers aimed to clarify the relationship between the consumption of various caffeinated beverages and the risk of developing wet OAB.

The study included 15,379 participants from the NHANES database, of which 2207 were diagnosed with wet OAB.

Wet OAB was diagnosed based on an OAB symptom score of ≥3 with urgent urinary incontinence, excluding other diseases affecting diagnosis.

What were the Results?

Participants with wet OAB had higher mean consumption of tea (233.6 g/day), total coffee (364.3 g/day), caffeinated coffee (301.6 g/day), decaffeinated coffee (62.7 g/day), and caffeine (175.5 mg/day).

High tea consumption (>481 g/day) was most associated with an increased risk of wet OAB (OR: 1.29; 95% CI: 1.01–1.64).

Likewise, caffeinated coffee was also associated with an increased risk of wet OAB.

But, decaffeinated coffee consumption (0.001–177.6 g/day) was associated with a decreased risk of wet OAB (OR: 0.66; 95% CI: 0.49–0.90).

However, this only applied when the participants did not also drink caffeinated tea!

The highest risk was when High total coffee consumption (>527.35 g/day) in conjunction with high tea consumption increased the risk of wet OAB (OR: 2.14; 95% CI: 1.16–3.94).

So, high tea consumption is linked to an increased risk of wet OAB. Individuals should consider moderating their tea intake, especially when combined with high coffee consumption.

Low to moderate consumption of decaffeinated coffee may reduce the risk of wet OAB providing a safer alternative for coffee lovers.

Total coffee and caffeine consumption alone were not significantly associated with wet OAB risk, indicating that the combination of these beverages with tea might be more influential.

So, if you are prone to OAB, consider reducing your tea intake to lower the associated risk.

Incorporating decaffeinated coffee into your diet may also help manage OAB symptoms while still enjoying the taste of coffee.

Be mindful of the combined intake of tea and coffee, particularly if consuming high amounts, as this combination can increase the risk of wet OAB.

The study by Fucai Tang and colleagues sheds light on the intricate relationship between tea, coffee, caffeine consumption, and wet OAB. It emphasizes the need for balanced beverage intake to manage and potentially reduce the risk of wet OAB.

Note: This information is intended to support, not replace, discussions with your doctor or healthcare professionals. Always consult with your healthcare provider for personalized medical advice and treatment plans.