If you've ever had a urinary tract infection, you know the urgency to treat the symptoms and alleviate your pain. You may have heard of using cranberry juice for the treatment and prevention of cranberry juice. Derived from the cranberry, white cranberry juice can provide you with the same benefits of cranberry juice if you have a UTI.
Urinary Tract Infections
Urinary tract infections are bacterial infections of any portion of your urinary system including your kidneys, bladder, urethra and ureters. Symptoms of a UTI include the frequent urge to urinate, pain or burning during urination, voiding little urine at a time, cloudy urine, foul smelling urine, abdominal pain, pelvic pain, chills, vomiting, nausea or back pain. The University of Maryland Medical Center indicates that women are 10 times more likely than men to develop UTIs. Other risk factors include diabetes, pregnancy, a history of urinary tract infections, urinating infrequently and being sexually active. UTIs are rarely dangerous, but if left untreated they can spread to your kidneys and require hospitalization to treat. A urine specimen, physical exam and medical history help to diagnose UTIs. Antibiotics are the normal course of treatment.
White Cranberry Juice
The white cranberry as well as cranberry juice is derived from your usual red-colored cranberry. White cranberries are cranberries that have been harvested before they are able to develop there characteristic red-color. The taste or white cranberries is milder and less tart. The differences in taste and appearance does not change the health benefits of cranberries, including the treatment and prevention of UTIs.
White Cranberry Juice and UTIs
White cranberries contain antioxidants. The antioxidants properties of cranberries in all form including juice, the fruit and concentrate can help to prevent bacteria from sticking to the walls of your bladder. Cranberries also contain vitamin C. Vitamin C can help boost your immune system and fight off infections. Drinking plenty of cranberry juice can also help to naturally flush your kidneys of bacteria through means of urination. The University of Maryland Medical Center indicates you should consume six to eight glasses of liquid per day with a UTI.
Dosage
The University of Michigan Health System recognizes the benefits of cranberries when it comes to treating urinary tract infections. UMHS recommends 4 to 10 oz. of cranberry juice on a daily basis. You can also opt to consume 400 mg of cranberry concentrate, twice a day. UMHS recognizes a double-blind trail of elderly women who consumed 10 oz. of cranberry juice daily. Women, who drank cranberry juice regularly, saw a decrease in the amount of bacteria found in their urine.
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