Is Cranberry Juice Good For A Uti?

Urinary tract infections, also known as UTIs, result in over 8 million doctor's office visits a year, according to the CDC. UTIs affect more women than men according to "American Family Physician," which reported in 2004 that each year 11 million women receive medication for the condition. Cranberry juice, a traditional remedy, has been shown to have a positive effect in preventing recurrent UTIs. Always consult your doctor if you think you have a urinary tract infection.

Urinary Tract Infections

A urinary tract infection is the result of bacteria contaminating the urethra, the tube that drains urine from the bladder to the outside of the body. The most common bacteria, E. coli, comes from the digestive system, and sexually transmitted bacteria, such as Chlamydia trachomatis, can also cause UTI symptoms. The UTI can be limited to the urethra, in which case it is called urethritis, but the bladder and kidneys can become infected, as well. Cystitis is a bladder infection, and pyelonephritis occurs when the infection spreads to the kidneys. Pyelonephritis, in particular, is a serious infection. If it's left untreated or if the patient is infected repeatedly, pyelonephritis can damage the kidneys.

Cranberry Juice

Cranberries have long been used in folk medicine to treat a variety of illnesses. Native Americans used cranberries for bladder and kidney ailments. Prior to the advent of antibiotics, cranberry juice was used in conventional medicine to treat UTIs. Dr. Darren Lynch of the Beth Israel Center in New York writes that initially, cranberry juice was thought to prevent or treat UTIs because of its high acidity. However, the current theory is that drinking the juice prevents bacteria from sticking to the cells that line the inside of the urinary tract, and this prevents a UTI from developing. In a 2004 study reported by Dr. Lynch in "American Family Physician," cranberry extract tablets were found to have the same effect.

Research and Recommendations

A review of scientific studies concludes that cranberry juice has no effect on urinary tract infections, according to Dr. Lynch. However, while cranberry juice should not be used to treat a UTI, the juice has been shown to be effective in the prevention of these infections. Clinical trials reported in the "Canadian Journal of Urology" noted a decrease of over 50 percent in symptomatic UTIs per year and a similar decrease in annual antibiotic consumption when women drank cranberry juice or took tablets containing cranberry extract. The women in the Canadian study drank three cups of cranberry juice a day. Dr. Lynch recommends one tablet of concentrated cranberry extract containing 300 to 400 mg twice daily, or 8 oz. of pure unsweetened cranberry juice three times daily.

Considerations and Warnings

While cranberry juice and cranberry extract are generally noted as safe forms of treatment, Dr. Lynch cites a 2001 study in "Urology" that noted a slightly increased risk of kidney stones. If you think you have a UTI, always consult your health care practitioner, as self-treatment can be dangerous in the case of serious infections.