Reducing caffeine consumption from chocolate and related products has been linked to fewer enuresis episodes and a softer course of bedwetting in children aged 6 to 15. Findings come from a study published in a pediatric medical journal.
Researchers from a Tehran university conducted a trial with 534 children in the 6 to 15 age group who experience nocturnal enuresis. The intervention group kept daily caffeine intake below 30 mg, while the control group consumed between 80 and 110 mg per day.
To lower caffeine, participants were advised to abstain from cocoa milk, cocoa ice cream, coffee, Coca-Cola, chocolate, chocolate cake, and chocolate cookies.
At baseline, the average weekly nocturnal enuresis episodes stood at 3.5 for the intervention group and 3.4 for the control group. One month after reducing caffeine, the intervention group averaged 2.3 episodes per week, compared with 3.2 in the control group.
Moreover, the severity of enuresis diminished notably in the caffeine-restricted group, with 20.2% of children showing improvements versus 6.7% in the control group.
These results contribute to a growing discussion about how mild caffeine reduction may influence bladder control during sleep. The study adds to prior observations suggesting that even small dietary changes can impact enuresis in children who wet the bed. The researchers emphasize that caffeine is a known stimulant that can affect sleep architecture and urinary frequency, which might help explain the observed reductions in symptoms.
However, it is important to consider limitations common to pediatric trials, including potential differences in appetite, sleep patterns, and adherence to dietary restrictions. Additional research with diverse populations and longer follow-up would help determine whether caffeine restriction can be a reliable, standard recommendation for managing enuresis in children. In the context of pediatric care, clinicians may discuss caffeine intake as one of several behavioral strategies to support families dealing with bedwetting. Future investigations could also explore whether gradual caffeine reduction yields similar benefits and how parental guidance and daily routines influence outcomes.
In interpreting these findings, clinicians should weigh the potential benefits against practical challenges of sustaining dietary changes in children. Nonetheless, the study provides a practical example of how a simple adjustment in everyday nutrition may translate into meaningful improvements in nocturnal bladder control for some children. Further work will clarify which patients are most likely to benefit and how best to integrate caffeine management into comprehensive enuresis treatment plans.
— Attribution: BMJ Pediatrics Open