Cranberry Juice And Urinary Tract Infection
In 2008, there was tentative evidence that long-term use of cranberry juice might help prevent symptomatic urinary tract infections , but this finding was refuted in 2012 with a conclusion that 14 further studies suggest that cranberry juice is less effective than previously indicated, and cranberry juice cannot currently be recommended for the prevention of UTIs. The European Food Safety Authority reviewed the evidence and concluded a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of cranberry products and reducing the risk of UTIs.
One systematic review in 2017 showed that cranberry products significantly reduced the incidence of UTIs, indicating that cranberry products may be effective particularly for individuals with recurrent infections. When the quality of meta-analyses on the efficacy of cranberry products for preventing or treating UTIs was examined, large variation was evident, resulting from inconsistencies in clinical research methods.
In October 2018, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellences recommendation for self-care for lower UTIs in people aged 16 and over states that no evidence was found on cranberry products or urine alkalinising agents to treat lower UTI.
Cranberry juice has a level of acidity that may erode tooth enamel.
Utis And The Benefits Of Cranberry Juice
A urinary tract infection is an infection in any part of the urinary system the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. Most infections involve the lower urinary tract, the bladder and the urethra.
Typically caused by bad bacteria entering the urinary tract and multiplying in the bladder, UTIs can affect anyone, including children. Women however are generally at greater risk of developing a UTI than men.
Symptoms of a UTI include:
- A strong, persistent urge to urinate
- A burning sensation when urinating
- Passing frequent, small amounts of urine
- Urine that appears cloudy
- Urine that appears red, bright pink or cola-coloured a sign of blood in the urine
- Strong-smelling urine
- Pelvic pain, in women, especially in the centre of the pelvis and around the area of the pubic bone.
Whilst many doctors will prefer to treat a UTI with antibiotics, the best motto is always prevention. Of course, if symptoms are worrying you, dont hesitate to see your doctor.
Here are some steps to reduce your risk of UTIs:
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Does Cranberry Juice Help Treat Utis Myth Vs Science
If you get frequent urinary tract infections , youve probably been told to drink cranberry juice and that its effective at preventing and treating these uncomfortable infections.
But is cranberry juice truly helpful for people with UTIs? And does adding cranberry juice to your diet help reduce the risk of a UTI?
This article explains everything you need to know about cranberry juice and UTIs to help you separate the myths from the science.
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Whats A Cpac And Why Is It Helpful
I know I mentioned this above, but in case youve scrolled down without reading, heres the info again:
PACs are a class of polyphenols .
The PACs found in cranberries help prevent the adhesion of certain harmful bacteria, including E. coli .
Supplements can deliver a higher dose of cPACs, compared to juice.
As soon as I suspected my UTI, I was taking 2 cranberry supplements a day throughout the infection and for two weeks post just for good measure.
This is the one I use :
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Mouse Model Of Ascending Uti
Six- to eight-week old, outbred albino female mice, Ssc:CF1, 30 ± 2 g were used. The mice were housed six to a cage and at all times provided free access to feed and water or treatment solutions. The model used was described in detail previously . Anesthetized mice were inoculated transurethrally with 50 l bacterial suspension containing ~5 × 108 CFUs using plastic catheters. The catheter was carefully inserted via the urethral orifice until it reached the top of the bladder and the bacterial suspension was slowly injected into the bladder. The catheter was immediately removed after inoculation and the mice subjected to no further manipulations until sacrifice. The mice were sacrificed 7 days after inoculation. For recovery of bacteria, bladders, and kidneys were aseptically collected in 0.9% saline and homogenized using a sterile grinder , and serial dilutions were plated on selective media. All animal experiments were conducted under the auspices of the Danish Animal Experiments Inspectorate, the Danish Ministry of Justice.
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Is One Type Of Cranberry Juice Better Than Another For Uti
No one type of cranberry juice is the best for UTI prevention, but it is important to be mindful of the ingredients list.
Pure cranberry juice is extremely bitter and practically undrinkable, so the kind you buy at the store is usually diluted quite a bit. And the more pure your cranberry juice, the more likely you are to get a health benefit.
Be mindful of the sugar content too. Most store-bought cranberry juices contain high amounts of added sugars, and the FDA recommends a maximum of about 50 grams of added sugars per day.
In other words, you wont be doing your body any favors by chugging three glasses of sweetened cranberry juice cocktail each night .
Some drug stores also sell cranberry supplements or cranberry capsules for UTI prevention, but these arent typically regulated by the FDA, so youll have to vet them yourself.
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When To See Your Doctor
See your doctor right away if you have signs of a urinary tract infection. A bladder infection is generally not a medical emergency but some people have a higher risk for complications. This includes pregnant women, the elderly, and men, as well as people with diabetes, kidney problems, or a weakened immune system.
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What Vitamin Helps With Bladder Control
Vitamin C from fruits and vegetables is associated with decreased urinary urgency. However, supplemental vitamin C, especially at high levels, is associated with worsening symptoms. Studies have found that vitamin D deficiency is associated with increased urination. So, getting enough vitamin D may be protective.
Cranberry Juice For Urinary Tract Infection
Specialist says grocery-store varieties aren’t strong enough for the job
HealthDay Reporter
THURSDAY, Feb. 25, 2016 — Contrary to popular belief, cranberry juice does not cure a urinary tract infection, a doctor says.
Many people drink cranberry juice in an attempt to ease their symptoms, but it will do nothing to help them, said Dr. Timothy Boone, vice dean of the Texas A& M Health Science Center College of Medicine, Houston campus.
“Cranberry juice, especially the juice concentrates you find at the grocery store, will not treat a UTI or bladder infection,” he said in a center news release.
“It can offer more hydration and possibly wash bacteria from your body more effectively, but the active ingredient in cranberry is long gone by the time it reaches your bladder,” Boone said.
Each year, more than 3 million Americans have a urinary tract infection — an infection in any part of the urinary system, kidney, bladder or urethra, according to the news release.
The active ingredient in cranberries — A-type proanthocyanidins — is effective against UTI-causing bacteria, but is found only in cranberry capsules, not in cranberry juice, Boone said.
“It takes an extremely large concentration of cranberry to prevent bacterial adhesion,” Boone said. “This amount of concentration is not found in the juices we drink. There’s a possibility it was stronger back in our grandparents’ day, but definitely not in modern times.”
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Healthy Benefits Of Cranberry Juice:
Prevents hair-loss: Cranberry juice contains vitamins A and C, which helps in the treatment of hair loss and other similar hair-related issues. Both of these essential nutrients promote hair growth while also make it more shinier and healthier. This makes it a life-saving product for hair loss, but only if used for an extended period of time. Also Read – Health Fact: Is it Safe to Eat Fruits Before Bed? Know the Best Time to Eat it
Healthy Heart: Cranberries contain additional phytonutrients that have anti-inflammatory properties. Inflammation contributes to the deterioration of blood vessels, including the arteries that protects heart from various risk. These phytonutrients helps in protecting against inflammation, delaying the process and saving against heart disease. Also Read – Bhutte Ke Fayde: 5 Secret Health Benefits of Maize That You Should Definitely Know
Beneficial for women suffering from PCOS: Cranberry juice is more than just a tasty beverage. In reality, it has been shown to improve internal health, leaving feeling great and refreshed in no time. Cranberry juice has been shown to benefit women with PCOS in terms of hormonal health. It assisted in lowering testosterone levels and reduces the health risks in women such as infertility, excessive hair growth, acne, and so on.
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Other Ways To Treat A Uti
Doctors most commonly treat a UTI with a regimen of antibiotics. Sometimes mild UTIs will go away on their own, but theres a risk they could get worse, even leading to medical conditions like bladder infection or kidney infection if left untreated.
No home remedy has proved to be as effective as antibiotics for treating a UTI. So while cranberry juice can be a tool in your arsenal to help prevent UTIs, it shouldnt take the place of seeing a urology expert for treatment when you develop an infection. If youre not a fan of the way antibiotics affect your digestive system, use a regimen of probiotics to counter some of those effects.
How do you get rid of a symptomatic UTI fast? Its impossible to cure an infection instantly, as much as you might want to when youre dealing with that burning, stinging feeling. But with a prescription, most UTIs can be cleared up within a week or two, and youll go back to feeling normal ASAP.
Once your UTI is clear, you can focus on hygiene tips to prevent another UTI. Always urinate after sexual activity , wipe toilet paper from front to back, and change out of wet or sweaty clothes within a few hours. This will lower your risk of recurrent urinary tract infections.
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Clinical Relevance Prostatic Carcinoma
Prostatic carcinoma represents the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men, especially in countries with high sociodemographic index. The malignant cells commonly originate from the peripheral zone, although carcinomas may arise from the central and transition zones too. It is still debatable that the latter tumors may present with lower malignant potential.
However the proximity of the peripheral zone to the neurovascular bundle that surrounds the prostate may facilitate spread along perineural and lymphatic pathways, thus increasing the metastatic potential of these tumors. Malignant cells may invade adjacent structures and/ or lymphatic and blood vessel routes to give distant metastases. Prostate carcinoma also commonly spreads via the Batson venous plexus to the vertebral bodies and cause skeletal metastases.
A DRE may reveal a hard, irregular prostate gland. In most cases the serum PSA values will be increased. However, due to the peripherally-advancing tumor, symptoms may be minimal, as obstruction occurs usually at late stages. One should also keep in mind that the high incidence of prostate carcinoma is found in elderly men, who may already have symptoms due to BPH.
Fig 4 Prostate cancer has the potential to invade nearby structures.
For prostate problems, limit water intake before going to bed at night. This will keep you from waking up at night to urinate repeatedly.
The Facts About Cranberries And Utis
More than 20 national and international studies were examined, including randomized controlled research trials, considered the gold standard for evaluating effectiveness of a treatment. These studies evaluated the role cranberries play in preventing or treating a urinary tract infection among a variety of populations, including children, adults, men, women, pregnant women, and those with certain medical conditions.
As of 2020, the current research shows cranberry products provide very little or no benefit in the prevention or treatment of a UTI when compared to a placebo.
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Combined Action Of Cranberry And Probiotics Against Utis
The vaginal microbiota, that has predominance of lactobacilli, plays a dynamic and often critical role in UTI pathology by maintaining a low pH and avoiding uropathogen colonization by competitive exclusion. However, hormonal change due to estrogen deficiency, antimicrobial therapy, contraceptives, incomplete healing and recurrence of UTIs lead to a shift in the local microbiota , increasing the risk of pathogens triggering pathologies . Therefore, the instillation of lactobacilli in the vaginal cavity is presented as a potential therapy for urinary tract care . After their oral administration, selected strains of Lactobacillus have been found in vaginal exudates and faecal samples Lactobacillus translocation from the intestinal mucosa to distal mucosal surfaces has also been reported .
Several human intervention studies have evaluated the effectiveness of specific Lactobacillus strains consumption to prevent or treat UTIs . So far, the results of these clinical studies remain inconclusive as a consequence of the wide diversity of populations, small sample sizes, different probiotic species and dosage forms such as vaginal and oral, and the use of incorrect dosing strategies. Therefore, more randomized clinical trials about the effect of probiotics against UTIs should be conducted to make a stronger recommendation as a probiotic benefit cannot be ruled out .
Benefits Of Cranberry Juice For Urinary Infection
There have been several studies that show the efficacy of cranberries to prevent and treat urinary infections , so consuming the juice made with these fruits is a good natural treatment for this condition.
This healing power of blueberries on urine infection is thanks to its significant content of proanthocyanidins , which are polyphenols that have the ability to prevent or prevent the Escherichia Ecoli bacteria , the main cause of urinary infections, it adheres to the walls of the urinary tract and produces biofilms that make it easier for said bacteria to proliferate and multiply in the body. In fact, studies carried out showed that cranberry juice prevented this bacterial adhesion and acted effectively just 8 hours after consuming it. On the other hand, lingonberries are diuretics. and, therefore, they favor the cleaning of the organs through the expulsion of urine and, therefore, of those bacteria that can cause an infection.
For all the above, we can say that cranberry juice is beneficial for cystitis and other urinary infections, especially it is effective for those people who suffer from this condition frequently or recurrently.
However, as specialists point out, it is important that its consumption is a natural complement to medical treatment and not a substitute. We must bear in mind that urine infections can only be cured by antibiotic drugs and that if they are not treated quickly, they can progress and lead to more serious diseases.
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Cranberries Help Urinary Tract Infections But Not As Juice
Dashing out for a bottle of cranberry juice when a urinary tract infection hits may not be so helpful after all. Research published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology suggests it could just be an old wives tale.
A urinary tract infection can affect any part of the urinary system, kidneys, bladder or urethra.
More than 3 million Americans, mostly women, experience a UTI every year.
Symptoms include frequent, painful urination, pelvic pain and traces blood in the urine. The infection does not normally last long, and most patients self-diagnose.
For many, the first port of call is a box of cranberry juice. However, new research suggests that while cranberry capsules can help, cranberry juice may be little more than a panacea.
Dr. Timothy Boone, PhD, vice dean of the Texas A& M Health Science Center College of Medicine in Houston, and colleagues wanted to know if cranberries can really help.
How K Health Can Help
Did you know that you can get UTI treatment online through K Health?
We have clinicians available 24/7 to get you the care or medication that you need.
K Health articles are all written and reviewed by MDs, PhDs, NPs, or PharmDs and are for informational purposes only. This information does not constitute and should not be relied on for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment.
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Cranberry Juice Wont Prevent Bladder Infections
Its a myth that cranberry juice can cure bladder infections, the Daily Mail reported today. The story was based on a large review of research that looked at the effectiveness of cranberry juice and cranberry products such as capsules, in preventing bladder and other urinary tract infections , which are most common in women.
The use of cranberry juice to protect against infection was first thought to have originated with Native Americans. It is now a popular home remedy, often recommended to women by their doctors to help prevent infections on the basis of previous research that suggested it could be helpful.
The theory is that cranberry juice contains substances that help prevent bacteria from sticking to the wall of the urinary tract. However, this new widely reported study found that overall, cranberry products did not reduce the occurrence of UTIs, such as cystitis, when compared with placebo, water or no treatment at all.
This updated review comes from the respected Cochrane Collaboration and its results are likely to be reliable. It suggests that while cranberry juice may be of small benefit to some women, it would need to be consumed in such large quantities as to make it unacceptable to many as a remedy.
Other cranberry products were also found to be ineffective, possibly due to the lack of potency of the active ingredients. Other methods women can use to reduce the risk of developing a UTI include drinking plenty of fluids and practising good hygiene.