Cranberry is native to North America and has been used for centuries as both a food source and a medicinal remedy. Cranberry has been widely used to treat urinary tract ailments and kidney diseases, scurvy or vitamin C deficiency and digestive problems. Cranberry pills are still used to prevent and treat bladder infections, but new scientific research indicates that cranberry may also have important uses in preventing certain other diseases, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. The University of Maryland recommends taking six doses of cranberry per day in a capsules containing 300 to 400 mg of the fruit.
Treating Urinary Tract Infections
Cranberry pills are most commonly used to prevent urinary tract infections, or UTIs. Multiple medical studies have found that taking cranberry can help to significantly reduce the frequency of recurrent UTIs and the amount of bacteria in the bladder, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Although cranberry pills are sometimes used to treat existing UTIs, scientific evidence indicates that cranberry isn't as effective at fighting bacteria after they've attached to cells in the urinary tract, the University of Maryland says. For this reason, cranberry pills are more effective at preventing UTIs than treating already developed infections. Studies have found that cranberry can block E. coli bacteria from adhering to the bladder wall, which prevents the development of UTIs, says the University of Michigan Health System.
Preventing Stomach Ulcers
Cranberry has a similar action in preventing stomach ulcers as preventing UTIs. Cranberry prevents the bacteria H. pylori, which can cause peptic ulcers, from attaching to the stomach walls, says the University of Maryland Medical Center. Although medical studies have yielded mixed results, cranberry pills have "been proposed for preventing or treating ulcers," notes the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Preventing Heart Disease
If you are at high risk for heart disease, taking cranberry pills may help. Preliminary medical studies have suggested that cranberry may be effective in helping to reduce heart disease risks, says the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Cranberry contains antioxidants that may have several effects in preventing heart disease. Cranberry helps to lower LDL, or "bad cholesterol" levels in the blood, relaxes blood vessels and prevents plaque buildup in the arteries, explains the University of Maryland Medical Center. The Universities of Maryland and Pittsburgh agree that more research is needed to investigate the effects of cranberry on the cardiovascular system, however.
Fighting Cancer
If you have or are at risk of cancer, taking cranberry pills may help to inhibit the growth of cancer cells. This claim has been proven only in laboratory test tube studies, points out the University of Maryland Medical Center. No "meaningful evidence" exists yet to prove that cranberry can reduce the risk of cancer, but the antioxidant properties in cranberry are likely responsible for this potential cancer-fighting action, says the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
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