Your Seltzer Habit Could Be Causing Bladder Trouble. Here's Why

Caffeine, alcohol, artificial sweeteners, and anything highly acidic like orange juice are some of the most common bladder irritants (via Healthline). These beverages can cause a sudden urge to pee, and for people with sensitive bladders or overactive bladders they can be especially irritating. Sadly, the carbon dioxide in your favorite fizzy water is wreaking the same havoc on your system. In an interview with Well and Good, Austin DeRosa, a urologist and urologic oncologist in Colorado, explained, "The carbon dioxide in sparkling water tends to irritate the lining of the bladder. Carbonated beverages don't cause damage to your bladder per se, but they can cause an exacerbation of underlying bladder symptoms."

Well, at least drinking seltzer isn't doing any damage to your bladder, even if feeling like you have to go every five minutes is more than annoying. And if you really love the bubbles in your water, Alicia Jeffrey-Thomas says it's not something you have to give up entirely. In the same TikTok video, she recommends cutting back on the bubbles to just 25% of your fluid intake for the day and making the rest plain water. Dr. Derosa agrees that as long as you're getting your daily two or three liters of water a day, a little seltzer isn't going to be a problem for most people.