Native American Indians used cranberry as a food and medicine for a wide range of ailments, including bladder and kidney problems. Cranberry is rich in antioxidants and research has shown that it has other beneficial properties, such as antibacterial effects against bacteria that commonly infect the bladder. Human studies are limited so there is not enough information at this time to support the use of cranberry for bladder infections. Consult your physician before using cranberry medicinally.
About Bladder Infections
The urinary tract system is comprised of the kidneys, the tubes called ureters that transport urine from the kidneys to the bladder, the bladder, and the tube that transports urine from the bladder to the outside of your body, which is called the urethra. Infections within these components of the urinary tract are called urinary tract infections or UTIs. You can help prevent these infections by adopting some self-care activities, such as drinking plenty of fluids and taking cranberry supplements. [
How It Works
Cranberry has been shown to prevent the E. coli bacteria, the most common bacteria causing UTIs, from attaching to the wall of the bladder. This prevents the bacteria from causing an infection in the bladder. A research study published in the "Journal of Urology" in 1984, showed that the E coli bacteria was significantly inhibited within 1 to 3 hours of taking cranberry juice in most people participating in the study.
Dosing
It is not known if taking cranberry supplements offers more benefit as compared to eating whole cranberries. Cranberry is available as tablets or capsules, which are normally taken in doses of 300 or 400 milligrams. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, up to six pills can be taken daily in divided doses. One study used 200 mg of a concentrated cranberry extract standardized to contain 30% phenolic antioxidants taken twice daily to prevent UTIs.
Effectiveness
Preliminary research suggests that cranberry extract may help prevent urinary tract infections. A study published in the journal "Phytomedicine" in 2007, evaluated the benefits of cranberry extract for preventing infection in women with a history of recurrent UTIs. Results showed that none of the women had a UTI after 2 years of treatment. Additionally, no side effects were reported from cranberry extract during the 2-year study period.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Cranberry
- National Institutes of Health: UTI
- PaloAltoMedicalFoundation.org: Cranberry
- "Journal of Urology"; Inhibition of bacterial adherence by cranberry juice: potential use for the treatment of urinary tract infections; AE Sobota; May 1984
- DrugDigest.org: Cranberry
- "Phytomedicine"; Can a concentrated cranberry extract prevent recurrent urinary tract infections in women? A pilot study; DT Bailey, et al.; Apr 2007
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