Cranberries for UTIs

Cranberries contain compounds called proanthocyanidins (PACs) that can prevent harmful bacteria, especially Escherichia coli, from adhering to the cells lining the bladder. Because of this property, cranberry products such as juice and capsules have been widely used for many years to prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs). A review, published in the Cochrane Database of Systemic Reviews (the fifth update of a study first published in 1998), evaluated the effectiveness of cranberry products for preventing UTIs in people prone to these infections. The review included 50 studies involving 8,857 participants that compared cranberry products with placebos, no treatment, or other interventions like antibiotics and probiotics.

The analysis found that cranberry products moderately reduce the risk of developing UTIs. Specifically, cranberry products were effective in women who experience recurrent UTIs, in children, and in people who are susceptible to UTIs following medical procedures. For these groups, the risk of a UTI was lowered by approximately 26% to 54% with cranberry use. However, cranberry products did not show clear benefits in elderly men and women living in long-term care facilities, pregnant women, or adults with bladder emptying difficulties caused by neuromuscular problems.

When compared directly to antibiotics, cranberry products appeared to have a similar effect on UTI prevention, although fewer studies have investigated this comparison. Cranberries were found to be more effective than probiotics in a small number of trials.

Cranberry products were generally safe and well tolerated with a similar occurrence of gastrointestinal side effects as placebos. There was no clear relationship between the dose of PACs consumed and the level of protection against UTIs, nor did different cranberry formulations such as juice versus tablets show significant differences in effectiveness.

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