A recent review of studies looked at whether cranberry juice helps with urinary tract infections (UTIs) and the results were encouraging. Yes, cranberry juice or cranberry tablets help in preventing UTIs.
Twenty well-done studies were reviewed. Drinking cranberry juice or taking a cranberry tablet resulted in a 27 to 54% lower rate of UTIs (the numbers varied between studies), and a 49% to 59% lower rate of antibiotic use. Cranberry compounds reduced the prevalence of UTI symptoms. These are great results!
The majority of women suffer from a UTI at some point in their life, and some women suffer frequently - many times a year. Antibiotics have long been the treatment of choice, but antibiotic resistance is increasing, so finding something that prevents UTIs is important.
By the way, cranberries and cranberry juice has been promoted for decades as both UTI prevention and treatment. [Other treatment possibilities for treatment and prevention are: D-mannose, drinking more water, the probiotic L. crispatus, and an oral vaccine.]
From Medscape: It's in the Juice: Cranberries for UTI Prevention
A systematic review and network meta-analysis found cranberry juice can help prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs).
TAKEAWAY:
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- Studies used one of the following interventions: cranberry products not in liquid form such as tablets, capsules or fruit, liquid other than cranberry, no treatment, and cranberry liquid, in a variety of doses and frequencies of consumption.
- A total of 18 studies showed a 27% lower rate of UTIs with the consumption of cranberry juice than with placebo liquid (moderate certainty evidence) and a 54% lower rate of UTIs with the consumption of cranberry juice than with no treatment (very low certainty evidence).
- Based on a meta-analysis of six studies, antibiotic use was 49% lower with the consumption of cranberry juice than with placebo liquid and 59% lower than with no treatment.
- Cranberry compounds also were associated with a decrease in prevalence of UTI symptoms.
"The evidence supports the use of cranberry juice for the prevention of UTIs. "