Frequent urination can be a nuisance, but if you think your vegetarian diet is the cause, it may be worth the nuisance. A vegetarian diet excludes meat, poultry and fish. If you’re eating a healthy and balanced vegetarian diet that is rich in complex carbs, fiber and essential vitamins and minerals, you may be at a lower risk of developing heart disease and diabetes. While there isn’t a direct connection between regular visits to the bathroom to urinate and a vegetarian diet, some of your food choices may increase your fluid intake or act as a mild diuretic. Talk to your doctor if you’re concerned about the increase in urination.
Advertisement
High Water Intake
Your urination frequency may be due to eating more fruits and vegetables, which have a high water content and generally contribute about 20 percent of your daily fluid needs, according to Clemson Cooperative Extension. Some fruits and vegetables, such as watermelon, celery, oranges and lettuce, contain more than 85 percent water. Fruits and vegetables are an important source of nutrients on a vegetarian diet, so you shouldn’t decrease your intake. But including fruits and vegetables with a lower water content, such as bananas, potatoes or peas, may help.
Advertisement
Video of the Day
Natural Diuretics
Some fruits and vegetables are also natural diuretics. Parsley, for example, affects the balance of sodium and potassium in your body, which alters the flow of water, leading to diuresis. A 2010 study published in “The West Indian Medical Journal” also found asparagus to be an effective diuretic. Other foods that may increase urination include onions, leeks, leafy greens, pumpkins, grapes and pineapples, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Advertisement
Getting More Potassium
Fruits and vegetables are also high in potassium. Eating foods high in potassium increases the excretion of sodium in your urine, which helps decrease fluid retention and may be partly responsible for the increase in urination. Getting more potassium in your diet and decreasing sodium levels also helps improve blood pressure, which lowers the risk of heart disease. If you have kidney disease, getting more potassium in your diet may be harmful.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Drinking More Fluids
A vegetarian diet is filled with foods high in fiber, which is an important nutrient that helps promote bowel regularity. When eating a high-fiber diet, it is necessary to drink more fluids to prevent constipation. If you’re drinking more fluids to prevent or improve constipation on your vegetarian diet, this may also increase urination. How much fluid you need to drink on a high-fiber diet varies. Generally, people need 1 quart of water for every 50 pounds of body weight, or 2 1/2 quarts for a person who weighs 125 pounds.
Advertisement
Advertisement
references
Forum of Nutrition: Vegetarian Diets: What Are the Advantages?
MedlinePlus: Frequent or Urgent Urination
Clemson Cooperative Extension: Fluid Needs
University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Services: Water Content of Fruits and Vegetables
University of Maryland Medical Center: Edema
Journal of Ethnopharmacology: Diuretic Effect and Mechanism of Action of Parsley
The West Indian Medical Journal: Acute Toxicity and Diuretic Studies of the Roots Asparagus Racemosus Willd in Rats
American Heart Association: Striking a Balance: Less Sodium (Salt), More Potassium
NYU Langone Medical Center: High-Fiber Diet
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Vegetarian Diets
references
Forum of Nutrition: Vegetarian Diets: What Are the Advantages?
MedlinePlus: Frequent or Urgent Urination
Clemson Cooperative Extension: Fluid Needs
University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Services: Water Content of Fruits and Vegetables
University of Maryland Medical Center: Edema
Journal of Ethnopharmacology: Diuretic Effect and Mechanism of Action of Parsley
The West Indian Medical Journal: Acute Toxicity and Diuretic Studies of the Roots Asparagus Racemosus Willd in Rats
American Heart Association: Striking a Balance: Less Sodium (Salt), More Potassium
NYU Langone Medical Center: High-Fiber Diet
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Vegetarian Diets
Forum of Nutrition: Vegetarian Diets: What Are the Advantages?
MedlinePlus: Frequent or Urgent Urination
Clemson Cooperative Extension: Fluid Needs
University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Services: Water Content of Fruits and Vegetables
University of Maryland Medical Center: Edema
Journal of Ethnopharmacology: Diuretic Effect and Mechanism of Action of Parsley
The West Indian Medical Journal: Acute Toxicity and Diuretic Studies of the Roots Asparagus Racemosus Willd in Rats
American Heart Association: Striking a Balance: Less Sodium (Salt), More Potassium
NYU Langone Medical Center: High-Fiber Diet
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Vegetarian Diets
