How Does Cranberry Juice Work?

If you have a lot of, urinary tract infections,UTIs, you may have tried cranberry juice. You may have had success with it, but still wonder what there could possibly be in a cranberry that helps. Cranberry juice works by adding to your body's natural defense system.

Defense Systems

The body has some clever defense systems to prevent UTI. As explained in "Understanding Pathophysiology," the urinary tract is designed to prevent bacteria on the outer skin from reaching the bladder. The urine itself, which is a sterile and acidic fluid in a healthy person, washes away a lot of bacteria near the entrance to the urethra. If intruders do get into the bladder, the acid urine and the immune system usually stop them. Cranberry juice does help to maintain an acidic state and the extra fluid is helpful.

Causes

Women have more UTIs. An important part of the natural defense system in women involves the mucous membranes around most of the urethra that trap bacteria and contain natural chemicals and probiotic bacteria that help to prevent infection. Most UTIs are caused by E. coli bacteria, which are usually found on the skin in the genital area.

They often reach the opening of the urethra, but in most people, the bacteria are not able to adhere to the mucous membrane and they are washed away with urine. When the conditions are not right, the bacteria can enter the urethra. Cranberry juice mimics the action of some enzymes that nature might not be providing. It helps to prevent infection from E. coli bacteria. This is the primary benefit that cranberry products provide for UTI.

Factors

The urethra is much shorter in women than in men and that gives bacteria less distance to travel to reach the bladder There may be some genetic factors that increase susceptibility to UTI, as the tendency to these infections has been seen in some families.

According to interesting information in the "British Medical Journal," the non-secretors of ABO antigens have more UTIs. These are factors you can't control. You can remember that good hygiene practices can reduce the number of infections. Drinking plenty of any fluid produces more urine for flushing away bacteria. Cranberry juice has the added features of acid and the chemicals that have been proven effective in preventing UTIs. You might drink cranberry juice just because you enjoy the tart-sweet flavor. It still works in favor of your health.

Goals

You may be one of those women that does everything right and still gets infections. A painful bladder infection, cystitis, needs medical attention. The infection can travel through the bladder and up the ureters to the kidneys. This can be serious. If you get frequent UTIs, you know your own body's signals that one is starting.

That is the time to take cranberry products, and better yet, it can be taken daily as a preventative. The goal is to greatly reduce the number and severity of UTIs and avoid overuse of antibiotics. This will help with the growing problem of antibiotic resistance. Cranberry juice also contains significant nutrients. It contains a wide range of natural vitamins and minerals as well as valuable antioxidants. It is readily available and in a wide range of products.

Prevention/Solution

Cranberry juice has been proven to help with UTI. Through the action of a substance called epicatechin, cranberry inhibits bacteria from adhering to the urethral wall. It mimics the natural defense system that is lacking in some women. A recent study done at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts shows that cranberry juice begins within eight hours to inhibit bacteria from adhering to urinary tract surfaces. The form of cranberry juice used in the study was a popular cranberry juice cocktail with added sugar.

You may not want that sugar and so prefer to drink the straight juice. If you can't manage the juice, there are cranberry capsules. Always be sure to drink plenty of water. You may have to experiment a little to find the amount of cranberry preparation that works for you. Ask your pharmacist and physician for help. There is research into the use of probiotics and vaccines to prevent urinary tract infection, and research into other ways that cranberry juice might benefit your health.