To the chagrin, if not devastation, of thousands of IC patients world wide, cranberry products (cocktail, juice, supplements, pills) are not beneficial for IC patients and, worse, can provoke severe bladder discomfort. Why? Cranberry is profoundly acidic and is severely irritating to the wounds found in our bladders. This has been confirmed not only in diet research studies but also decades of patient testimonials.
Citrus fruits and fruit juices which contain high amounts of citric acid should also be avoided such as orange, grapefruit, lemon and lime. Fruits that are considered more IC friendly are pears, mild sweet apples, blueberries and coconut.
Several resources are available which will help you understand the IC diet, including:
ICN Guide to the IC Diet
IC/BPS Food List – contains an alphabetized list of hundreds of foods
2012 Guide to the IC Diet – a 40 page introduction to the diet
The ICN Food App now available in the iTunes store for the iPhone, perfect for use when dining out or shopping!
