Cranberries have been used to treat conditions such as urinary tract infections, kidney stones and gout for hundreds of years. Modern medical research seems to confirm their efficacy for the prevention and treatment of urinary tract infections and, more recently, kidney stones. More research is needed, however, especially concerning the use of cranberries to treat gout.
Gout
Gout occurs when crystals of uric acid form and lodge in the joints and tissues, especially in the big toe, causing irritation, inflammation, redness and swelling. The use of diuretics to control high blood pressure is a common cause of gout. What causes people not taking these medications to develop gout is controversial, says "The People's Pharmacy Guide to Home and Herbal Remedies." Stress, which raises uric acid levels, over-consumption of alcohol and foods high in purines are among the suspects.
Hyperuricemia
Hyperuricemia is a high level of uric acid in the blood. Uric acid is a waste product of purine, a substance found in many foods, especially high-protein foods. Normally the uric acid is carried through the kidneys and eliminated in the urine. A high uric acid level does not always cause problems, but it leads some people to develop gout, kidney stones or even kidney failure, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Cranberry
Native Americans have used cranberries to prevent and treat urinary tract infections for hundreds of years. Modern medical research seems to confirm their efficacy for this purpose. Cranberries also appear to prevent kidney stones, 75 percent to 85 percent of which are made up of calcium salts. Cranberries can decrease the amount of ionized calcium by as much as 50 percent in patients with recurrent kidney stones, according to "The Condensed Encyclopedia of Healing Foods."
Cranberries also have a long folk history as a treatment for gout, according to "The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook." Although more research is needed to confirm the efficacy of cranberries to treat gout, many believe that since kidney stones and gout have related causes they may be treated similarly.
Forms and Dosages
Drink at least 3 oz. of pure cranberry juice or 10 oz. of cranberry juice cocktail daily. Alternatively, take 300 mg to 400 mg of cranberry extract in capsule form. Or eat 1.5 oz. of fresh or frozen cranberries, says the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC).
Cautions
Cranberry juice and cranberry supplements are generally considered safe, with no serious side effects, even in pregnant women, according to the UMMC. Since most cranberry juice products contain added sugar, people with diabetes or hypoglycemia should look for artificially sweetened or unsweetened juices or use the extract. Preliminary research suggests that cranberry may interfere with the blood-thinning drug warfarin.
References
- "The People's Pharmacy Guide to Home and Herbal Remedies"; Joe Graedon and Teresa Graedon, Ph.D.; 1999
- MayoCliic: High Uric Acid Level
- "The Condensed Encyclopedia of Healing Foods"; Michael T. Murrary, N.D., and Joseph E. Pizzorno, N.D., with Lara Pizzorno, M.A., L.M.T.; 2006
- "The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook"; James A. Duke, Ph.D.; 2000
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Cranberry
