A kidney infection is a specific type of urinary tract infection that may cause serious complications and often requires hospitalization as part of effective treatment. Talk to your doctor about using antioxidant-rich cranberry juice to help prevent possible kidney infections. Never try to treat these potentially deadly infections with just cranberry juice.
The Facts
Urinary tract infections generally develop when bacteria--usually E. coli--invade and proliferate in part of your urinary tract, which includes the urethra, bladder, ureters and kidneys. Although most urinary tract infections limit themselves to the lower portions of your urinary tract, namely the urethra and bladder, severe infections sometimes spread to include your kidneys. According to the Mayo Clinic, an improperly treated kidney infection may lead to permanent kidney damage, blood poisoning and pregnancy complications.
Features
Although scientists lack a thorough understanding of the exact manner in which it happens, cranberry juice seems to inhibit bacterial growth in the different parts of the urinary tract, including the kidneys. Possessing anti-inflammatory properties, cranberry juice is rich in antioxidants, such as vitamin C, flavonoids and phenolic acids. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) notes that studies suggest proanthocyanidins--the type of flavonoid that causes the dark red color of the fruit--may keep bacteria from adhering to the cells that line the walls of your urinary tract.
Prevention/Solution
Drinking cranberry juice regularly may help lower your chances of developing urinary tract infections, including kidney infections. Recommended amounts vary, depending upon the percentage of cranberry present in the juice. According to general guidelines from the National Institutes of Health, you should aim to drink 3 to 16 oz. of cranberry juice cocktail or ½ to 1 oz. of pure cranberry juice each day. Due to its bitter taste, most people choose to add a small amount of natural sweetener, like honey, to plain cranberry juice to improve its taste.
Efficacy
Although the NCCAM notes that small-scale studies indicate cranberry juice may help prevent urinary tract infections, under no circumstances should you attempt to use cranberry juice as a stand-alone treatment for a kidney infection or any other type of urinary tract infection. Once the bacteria attach to the cells lining your urinary tract, the antibacterial effects of cranberry seem to diminish. The NCCAM states that it continues to support ongoing research investigating the effect of cranberry on urinary tract infections, but as of May 2010, there is a lack of high-quality evidence to support your using cranberry to treat potentially serious kidney infections.
Warning
Prevent a serious kidney infection by arranging a visit with your primary care doctor as soon as you begin to notice signs of a urinary tract infection. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDKD), urinary tract infection symptoms include painful or frequent urination, discolored, smelly or blood-tinged urine and abdominal discomfort. Do not drink cranberry juice as a kidney infection preventative if you have a personal or family history of developing kidney stones, as the juice may increase your chances of developing certain types of kidney stones.
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