Cranberries are definitely a superfood, being high in antioxidants and nutrients that can benefit the body. Yet, their nutritional content isn’t what makes these red fruits so popular. Rather, it’s the old wives’ tale of them being the perfect cure for urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women. Yet, a new study has suggested that it’s anything but a fallacy. The new findings propose that cranberry juice can in fact protect against UTIs.
The relationship between UTIs and cranberry juice
According to statistics, around 10 in 25 women and 3 in 25 men will experience a UTI in their lifetime. Symptoms include a burning sensation when urinating or a persistent urge to urinate that won’t go away. If a UTI is left untreated, it can lead to sepsis, which can be fatal. There are antibiotics that exist to clear away this infection. Unfortunately, people do experience recurrent UTIs where the infection keeps coming back.
So how do cranberries fit into this?
Research has found that cranberries contain high concentrations of proanthocyanidins. These compounds give cranberries their bright red color. Proanthocyanidins also contain anti-microbial properties. In humans, these properties prevent bacteria from sticking to the walls of the bladder and causing infection.
“Unfortunately, in some people, UTIs keep coming back. Without being sure if or how it [cranberry products] works, some healthcare providers began suggesting it to their patients. It was a harmless, easy option at the time,” explains epidemiologist Dr. Jacqueline Stephens.
Alongside Dr. Gabrielle Williams, an epidemiologist at the University of Sydney, Dr. Stephens and a team of researchers from Flinders University and The Children’s Hospital at Westmead assessed the effectiveness of cranberry products in preventing UTIs in susceptible populations.
For the study, the team reviewed 50 published randomized controlled trials that featured 8857 participants. The study is the fifth update to review the initial findings that were published in 1998 and later refined in 2003, 2004, 2008, and 2012. It should be noted that the 2012 review, which analyzed 24 trials, found no association between cranberry products and UTI prevention.
It’s True: Cranberry Juice Prevents UTIs
“The vast majority [studies] compared cranberry products with a placebo or no treatment for UTI and determined drinking cranberries as a juice or taking capsules reduced the number of UTIs in women with recurrent cases, in children and in people susceptible to UTI’s following medical interventions such as bladder radiotherapy.”
The study’s findings, published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews journal, revealed that cranberry products can reduce the risk of recurrent UTIs in women by over 25% and in children by over 50%. The study also reduced the risk of people developing UTIs after a medical procedure by 53%.
Elena Zajchikova/Shutterstock
Dr. Gabrielle Williams shares that back in 1973, her mum was told to try cranberry juice to prevent her horrible and frequent UTIs,
“Despite me niggling in her ear about evidence, she’s continued to take it daily, first as the nasty sour juice and in recent years, the easy-to-swallow capsules.”
Dr. Williams adds that as soon as her mother stops, the symptoms are back.
“As usual, it turns out that Mum was right! Cranberry products can help some women prevent UTIs.” she shares.
Should doctors prescribe cranberry juice for UTIs?
No, we would not advise that.
For one, the study did not prove that cranberry products work better than antibiotics in preventing UTIs. The data also did not show the same benefits for elderly people, pregnant women, or people with bladder emptying problems.
Yes, the study does show cranberries’ potential in preventing UTIs in women. Yet, more studies are needed to not only determine the best dose of cranberry needed to enjoy these benefits but to also see if other people besides women can benefit.
How else can cranberries help us?
As mentioned, cranberries are rich in many nutrients that can benefit the body, beyond UTI prevention. These benefits include:
- Promote healthy teeth: Proanthocyanidins preventing UTIs may also prevent bacterial buildup in the mouth. Research suggests that cranberries may work as anti-cavities agents.
- Keep your heart healthy: Cranberries are rich in antioxidants that can keep the heart healthy. Studies suggest that cranberry products work to improve levels of cholesterol and blood pressure.
Enjoy some cranberries
If you are going to include more cranberries in your diet, why not try out this delicious cranberry salad? If you’d rather indulge in cranberry juice, make sure to read the labels. Many of these products may be high in sugar and other additives that can be detrimental to your health.
References
Philip, N., & Walsh, L. J. (2019). Cranberry Polyphenols: Natural Weapons against Dental Caries. Dentistry journal, 7(1), 20. https://doi.org/10.3390/dj7010020
Richter, C. K., Skulas-Ray, A. C., Gaugler, T. L., Meily, S., Petersen, K. S., & Kris-Etherton, P. M. (2021). Effects of Cranberry Juice Supplementation on Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Adults with Elevated Blood Pressure: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Nutrients, 13(8), 2618. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13082618
Williams, G., Hahn, D., Stephens, J. H., Craig, J. C., & Hodson, E. M. (2023). Cranberries for preventing urinary tract infections. The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 4(4), CD001321. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD001321.pub6
Zare Javid, A., Maghsoumi-Norouzabad, L., Ashrafzadeh, E., Yousefimanesh, H. A., Zakerkish, M., Ahmadi Angali, K., Ravanbakhsh, M., & Babaei, H. (2018). Impact of Cranberry Juice Enriched with Omega-3 Fatty Acids Adjunct with Nonsurgical Periodontal Treatment on Metabolic Control and Periodontal Status in Type 2 Patients with Diabetes with Periodontal Disease. Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 37(1), 71–79. https://doi.org/10.1080/07315724.2017.1357509
