Do artificially sweetened beverages affect risk of urinary incontinence?

USA: A recent study published in Menopause has claimed that artificially sweetened beverages do not significantly affect the likelihood of developing urinary incontinence in women. 

The research showed that neither stress nor urge urinary incontinence was associated with artificially sweetened beverage consumption.

Urinary incontinence, defined as the loss of bladder control and the unintentional leaking of urine, is not only embarrassing but also associated with significant comorbidities, including cognitive impairment, functional decline, falls, fractures, stroke, depression, and overall poorer quality of life. Urinary incontinence affects nearly 20% of women aged older than 50 years. Many factors can influence a woman's risk of urinary incontinence.

Several foods and drinks, such as artificially sweetened beverages, have been thought to have adverse effects on the bladder and lower urinary tract. Still, there are few actual studies to confirm the link between urinary incontinence and artificial sweeteners (although there are rat models that show artificial sweeteners enhance detrusor muscle contraction). This new study, based on an analysis of data from the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study and included more than 80,000 women, specifically sought to examine the association between artificially sweetened beverages and urinary incontinence symptoms. It also aimed to identify which type of urinary incontinence-stress or urge-was most associated.