What Are The Benefits Of Cranberry Juice On Kidneys?

The cranberry is a tart, bright red berry full of antioxidants and phytochemicals. According to American Family Physician cranberries and cranberry products have been particularly valuable in the prevention and treatment of infections dating as far back as the 17th century. The Health Vitamins Guide reports that in more recent years, cranberry juice has proven beneficial in promoting gastrointestinal, oral and cardiovascular health. Cranberry juice also provides a number of benefits for the kidneys and urinary tract.

Urinary Tract Infections

The Cranberry Institute states that drinking cranberry juice is effective in the treatment and prevention of urinary tract infections. It is the proanthocyanidin content of cranberries which inhibits the adhesion of bacteria to the urinary tract wall and the reproduction of bacteria necessary for infection. Therefore, it is the unique compounds naturally found in cranberries which prevent urinary tract infections. It is most beneficial to consume two servings of cranberry juice at equal intervals per day, as the anti-adhesion effect lasts up to 10 hours after consumption.

Kidney Stones

The World's Healthiest Foods describes that cranberries contain quinic acid, an acidic substance which cannot be broken down in the body and therefore is excreted unchanged in the urine. This compound causes the urine to become slightly acidic, sufficient enough to prevent calcium and phosphate ions from forming insoluble stones, thereby preventing the formation of kidney stones. In patients with persistent kidney stones, cranberry juice has been shown to decrease the amount of ionized calcium in the urine by more than 50 percent---a highly protective effect since 75 to 85 percent of kidney stones are composed of calcium salts.

Potent Anti-Viral Activity

Cranberry juice benefits now extend beyond bacteria to protect against viruses, according to World's Healthiest Foods. The antiviral activity of cranberry juice is rapid, dose-dependent and unaffected by temperature. A 20 percent solution of cranberry juice was necessary to inhibit the rotovirus from attaching to the surface of cells within the body. This is a significant breakthrough in research, as up until now there is no known treatment for viruses.

Antioxidant Protection Against Cancer

The Cranberry Marketing Company reports that cranberries are among the top five foods with the highest antioxidant content per serving. Antioxidants are substances which protect the body from oxidative stress and the effects of free radicals, or highly unstable molecules with an unpaired electron. Antioxidants donate an electron, thereby stabilizing free radicals and avoiding damage to the body. Cranberries, which are extremely high in antioxidants, help fight against cancer by destroying these chemically active substances, or free radicals in the body.

Antibiotic Alternative

According to the Worcester Polytechnic Institute, the protective substances found in cranberry juice have the ability to change E. coli bacteria into compounds unable to initiate infection in the human body. The E. coli bacterium is a microorganism which is responsible for a number of illnesses ranging from kidney infections, gastroenteritis, pneumonia, meningitis, and even tooth decay. Therefore, the cranberry may provide an alternative to antibiotics, especially for those combating the E. coli bacteria that have become resistant to conventional treatment. Cranberry juice has the ability to function as a biochemical mechanism, fighting off disease-causing bacteria.