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. 

Study results are published in the article "Artificially sweetened beverages and urinary incontinence-a secondary analysis of the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study."

"This study is important in that it may guide clinicians, counselling women, with urinary incontinence to focus more on behavioural modifications, such as total volume intake, rather than on the type of beverage consumed. Further, given the multiple potential adverse health effects associated with consuming sugar-containing beverages, counselling should be directed away from avoidance of artificially sweetened beverages," says Dr. Stephanie Faubion, NAMS medical director.

Reference:

Ringel, Nancy E. MD, MS1; Hovey, Kathleen M. MS2; Andrews, Chris A. PhD3; Mossavar-Rahmani, Yasmin PhD4; Shadyab, Aladdin H. PhD5; Snetselaar, Linda G. PhD6; Howard, Barbara V. PhD7; Iglesia, Cheryl B. MD8. Artificially sweetened beverages and urinary incontinence—a secondary analysis of the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study. Menopause: December 13, 2022 - Volume - Issue - 10.1097/GME.0000000000002129 doi: 10.1097/GME.0000000000002129