Powerade Zero linked Bladder Problems?
 

I posted a humorous (in my world) picture to facebook of my new found love(s) Powerade Zero lined up on my counter. One of my friends commented "Be careful, this causes bladder problems". I seriously have spent a total of about 2 hours scouring the internet on information about this drink linked to bladder or kidney problems. I googled unknown ingredients, etc. I can't find a thing about what she's talking about! Do any of you know of it causing problems?

Sounds like an urban legend to me, have you checked snopes.com?

if that was the case then almost all of the "zero" type of flavored waters would probably cause that problem. I havnt heard of them causing any problems.

I've not come across any information that states they cause nonspecific "bladder problems".

Maybe she was drinking too many and SHE had problems going to the bathroom too often? :shrug:

All of those are things I've considered! She told me last night that her doctor said that was the cause of her bladder problems when he found that her bladder was twice it's original size.

Here's the thing: like any drink with electrolytes, etc in it, I am only drinking it while/after working out to replace what I've lost from working out. I did drink more of it on Wednesday after being sick/dehydrated on Tuesday. I think it tastes great and honestly, I would drink it all day. But, that being said, I wait until my workout to grab one. So, I don't see it causing a problem...

Ah, the joys of sharing anything diet/healthy lifestyle-related on facebook. EVERYONE is an expert, and you are doing it ALL WRONG! :p

What doesn't cause problems these days, everything causes something it seems lol ;)

I love that too! The blue one is my favorite. My problem is that i had to cut it out due to the sodium content per serving. I hold onto sodium like you wouldn't believe. Never heard of bladder problems drinking it either.

I'm addicted to it too! I have never heard anything about the bladder issues, either. I think with all the research you've done it is safe to say your friend was probably misinformed, but it wouldn't hurt to check with your doc if YOU start having issues.

I think the bladder size may actually be a clue as to what her doctor may have said and why. If I'm remembering my human physiology correctly (and while I had to take human biology/physiology classes in college and graduate school, that wasw 20-25 years ago), but as I recall the bladder will enlarge considerably, if fluid intake drastically is increased.

My suspicion is that your friend's bladder became enlarged due to her fluid intake, not her specific fluid intake (how much she was drinking, not specifically what she was drinking.

I think it's quite likely that the doctor asked her what and how much she was drinking, and when she told him, he may have said "well that explains it," which she interpreted as an indictment of what she was drinking (when it was the quantity that was the real culprit).

Again, this is only a guess, so if you're still concerned, I would suggest talking to your own doctor or a dietitian, but I suspect that if there was a connection, you would have found it in a google search.