Urinary Tract Infections
Urinary tract infections usually aren't a life-threatening condition, and they often go away on their own. However, UTIs are usually treated with antibiotics in order to prevent the infection from spreading and also to provide faster relief for the sufferer. However, UTIs can also become a chronic, or recurring, condition, but frequent antibiotic use can cause bacteria to become resistant and treatment less effective, so it's important to have other methods of treatment that can help prevent infection or possibly cure it. Cranberry juice is an inexpensive, natural method of preventing UTIs.
Cranberries
Cranberry juice is effective against UTIs because cranberries contain two substances that, working together, have antibacterial properties. One of these substances, fructose, is a type of sugar found in fruits. Proanthocyanidins are a kind of tannin, an astringent substance found in plants. The fructose and proanthocyanidins in cranberries work as a barrier against bacteria, keeping them from taking hold in the walls of the bladder. Drinking cranberry juice delivers these substances directly to the bladder. It's uncertain whether fructose and proanthocyandins are effective only in preventing UTIs or if they can also help cure existing UTI infections.
Practical Use
If you'd like to use cranberry juice to fight off UTIs, drink at least 10 ounces a day. That's a little bit more than one small glass of juice. Dieters should remember that cranberry juice contains calories, so buy a "light" or "sugar-free" version to keep from putting on pounds. Make sure that the brand you buy contains at least 30% cranberry content. Some juice cocktails or juice blends may not contain enough cranberry juice to be effective.
Member Comments