Bow Down To The Medicinal Power Of Cranberries
UTI’s are one of the most common bacterial infections. And according to the Archives paper, each year UTIs are the cause of nearly 7,000,000 doctor’s office visits and about 100,000 hospitalizations in the United States. The estimated annual cost of UTIs in this country? A cool $1.6 billion.
If you’re looking for new ways to incorporate cranberry juice in your life, check out this recipe from Washington, D.C. bartender Gina Chersevani:
Cranberry Antioxidant Punch
6 to 8 pears, medium size
1 cup quince simple syrup make ahead, recipe below
Feed cranberries and whole pears into a juice machine. Double strain the juice through a fine mesh strainer to remove the cranberry seeds. In a pitcher, mix the pear and cranberry juice with the quince simple syrup. To serve, pour over ice and garnish with fresh cranberries.
To make alcoholic, add 1 1/2 ounce of vodka per cocktail.
Quince Simple Syrup
2 cups water
3 medium-sized quinces, sliced with seeds removed
In a small pot, combine honey, water and quince. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and allow quince to simmer for about 10 minutes or until fruit is soft. Remove from heat, strain the quince out, discard. Let syrup cool to room temperature before using.
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.
But What About Cranberry Juice Can It Really Help
Cranberries, and in turn cranberry juice, contain a group of chemicals called proanthocyanidins . These can prevent the bacteria responsible for UTIs attaching properly to tissues in the urinary tract. If the bacteria cant attach properly then they cannot grow and cause the infection. However there are mixed opinions on whether or not it works in preventing UTIs. Some studies have shown some small benefits to healthy, non-pregnant, women who suffer from repeated infections while others have showed no benefit at all. Interestingly, there was a large number of drop-out in some of these studies due to volunteers finding it difficult to consume so much cranberry juice!
This is where the problem with cranberry juice can lie. Cranberries are very bitter and so to make cranberry juice easy to drink, lots of sugar is added about three teaspoons of sugar in every 100 ml! This means with a typical 300 mL glass of cranberry juice you would have had more than your recommended intake of sugar for the day!
If you suffer from repeated urinary tract infections, you might want to consider a low dose of antibiotics Hiprex is used commonly in the UK to prevent repeated infections. Discuss it with your doctor and look at trying to prevent infections by following the steps outlined above.
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Uti Prevention Tips You Might Try Instead
In summary, if you currently have a UTI, skip the cranberry altogether and schedule an appointment with your doctor instead. A mild UTI may resolve on its own, but antibiotics are sometimes needed to treat them.
And as mentioned, if you get UTIs frequently and are looking for ways to prevent your next one, unsweetened cranberry juice may help. But it might also not.
Here are five other ways to help reduce your risk of getting a UTI:
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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Can Drinking Apple Cider Vinegar Treat Utis
Studies, such as one published in January 2018 in Scientific Reports, have shown that apple cider vinegar has some antibacterial and antifungal properties, but theres no scientific or medical evidence that drinking apple cider vinegar cures UTIs. Drinking large amounts of apple cider vinegar could lead to throat irritation and tooth decay.
Drink Cranberry Juice For Uti:
A very popular remedy for UTIs is to drink cranberry juice. A lot of scientific researchers have shown that cranberries can inhibit bacteria from attaching to the lining of the urinary tract which will prevent and even treat UTIs. You must however, remember to drink cranberry juice in its natural form meaning that there should not be any added sweeteners and it should have higher concentrate of cranberries when compared with some cranberry juices and a lot of grape or other juice type.
You will not be able to purchase this type of juice in a regular grocery store. You can however, purchase it from a natural foods store. To effectively treat a UTI, you should drink lots of cranberry juice until symptoms clear up. After that you can drink about half as much for a minimum of 10 additional days.
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Can Cranberry Pills Cure A Urinary Tract Infection
The research on this isn’t totally clear. Some studieshave found that drinking cranberry juice or takingcranberry pills can prevent UTIs, especially in womenwho are at risk for these infections. And they don’t treatUTIs that you already have.
In this regard, can you get rid of a UTI with cranberry pills?
Cranberry juice is a popular home remedy for mildUTIs. Antibiotics are an effective treatment forUTIs. However, the body can often resolve minor,uncomplicated UTIs on its own without the help ofantibiotics. By some estimates, 2542 percent ofuncomplicated UTI infections clear on theirown.
Secondly, is it OK to take cranberry pills everyday? There is no standard dose of cranberry. Somestudies have used 8 ounces of unsweetened cranberry juicethree times a day.prevent UTIs. Other studies have used between600-800 milligrams daily of cranberry supplementcapsules.
In this manner, why does Cranberry help with UTI?
The active ingredients in cranberries preventbacteria from adhering to the bladder wall. A urinary tractinfection can affect any part of the urinarysystem, kidneys, bladder or urethra. However, new research suggeststhat while cranberry capsules can help,cranberry juice may be little more than apanacea.
What are the side effects of taking cranberry pills?
Common side effects of Cranberry include:
- Stomach or abdominal upset.
- Kidney stones at high doses.
- Increased risk of cancer oxalate uroliths in predisposedpatients.
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Other Methods To Prevent Utis
Lifestyle habits may be just as helpful in preventing UTIs. Stay well hydrated and always urinate after sexual intercourse. Make a habit of wiping from front to back, so you minimize contact between bacteria from your rectum and your vagina.
Avoid the use of douches and scented powders. Certain birth control methods are likely to cause UTIs, too. These include spermicides and spermicide-lubricated condoms as well as diaphragms, which contribute to bacterial growth.
If you have frequent urinary tract infections, the team at Southeast Urogyn also recommends you take other precautions to discourage bacterial growth. Stick mostly to cotton underwear and avoid baths. Tight clothing that keeps bacteria trapped near your urethra can also encourage UTIs.
In some cases, the doctors might prescribe a low dose of antibiotics for you to take regularly or to take as a single dose after having sex. Women whove experienced menopause can ask about estrogen vaginal cream to prevent dryness, which increases the chance of bacterial infection.
The bottom line? Cranberry juice can be part of your UTI prevention protocol, but not your only strategy. If you suffer from frequent UTIs and want to discuss preventive treatments with a trusted doctor, call Southeast Urogyn in Jackson, Mississippi, or click to make an appointment.
References:
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Does Cranberry Juice Really Help Utis
You think you might have a urinary tract infection. Should you call a friend, call a doctor, or make an immediate trip to urgent care?
First of all, dont panic. Although UTIs are uncomfortable, theyre common and easy to treat. Around half of women will experience at least one UTI in their lifetime, and the vast majority of those infections will clear up within a week or two.
Do a little internet sleuthing, and youll quickly find that cranberry juice is a popular DIY remedy. Some people swear by drinking this sour beverage to prevent UTIs or treat existing ones.
But does cranberry juice actually help, or is it just a placebo? And if it does help, which type of cranberry juice is best for UTI relief? Before you run to your local grocery store, lets talk about the science behind this surprising and controversial alternative treatment.
A Note About Cranberry Juice And Utis
Cranberry juice or cranberry extract in supplemental form has long been used as a home remedy for UTIs.
The thought is that the proanthocyanidins in cranberries may help prevent bladder infections by keeping the bacteria from clinging to the bladder wall, says Sonya Angelone, MS, RDN, a nutrition consultant based in San Francisco, and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Yet theres scientific controversy over how effective cranberry juice is at preventing UTIs due to conflicting conclusions in studies on the topic, according to an article published in May 2016 in Advances in Nutrition. Some studies have found it might work, while others have found no effect.
Bottom line, there is some evidence it may help, and it doesnt hurt to try it, says Angelone. Just be sure to chose unsweetened cranberry juice . Mix this with sparkling water or plain yogurt, she recommends.
Another low-calorie option choose a cranberry pill that contains d-mannose, she says.
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Cut Back On Meat And Poultry
Some studies, such as one published in August 2018 in the journal mBio, have linked contaminated poultry and meat to E.coli bacteria strains that can cause UTIs. These studies havent proven that eating meat or poultry causes UTIs. In fact, some E.coli can live in the intestines without causing any problems. However, bacteria from the gut can enter the urinary tract and cause infection. This risk is greater in women than men, because women have shorter urethras than men, meaning the bacteria has less distance to travel to reach the bladder.
Cutting back on meat and focusing on fruits and veggies may slightly cut your risk of UTIs. According to a study of Buddhists in Taiwan, published in January 2020 in Scientific Reports, compared with nonvegetarians, vegetarians had a 16 percent lower risk of UTI.
Related: Vegetarian Diet Linked to Lowered Risk Of Urinary Tract Infection
Cranberry Juice For Urinary Tract Infections It Really Can Help
Cranberry Antioxidant Punch Maggie Starbard/NPRhide caption
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Native Americans and Pilgrims were onto something when they turned to cranberries as an infection fighter. American settlers believed the bitter food could stave off scurvy. But there’s more than just Vitamin C in this indigenous berry.
A new meta-analysis finds drinking cranberry juice on a regular basis may help prevent urinary tract infections in women. The study, published in The Archives of Internal Medicine, concluded that regular cranberry-juice drinkers were 38 percent less likely than non-cranberry-juice-drinkers to develop UTIs.
The authors conclude that women with recurrent infections and those consuming cranberry products more than twice a day tended to get the most protection. The amounts of cranberry given in the trials varied, and more research is needed to figure out exactly how much cranberry you’d need to consume, the paper says. .
Also, the cranberry supplements were not as good as the real thing. “We are surprised,” author Chien-Chang Lee of the National Taiwan University Hospital tells The Salt that cranberry-containing capsules or supplements were less effective than cranberry juice in reducing the risk.
And how does it work? Previous studies have found that cranberries contain compounds that seem to inhibit bacteria from setting-up-shop and infecting the lining of the urinary tract.
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Can Drinking Cranberry Juice Cure A Urinary Tract Infection
Drinking cranberry juice is good for your body. Cranberry juice is a great beverage, with important antioxidants that help reduce your risk of heart disease. Antioxidants also strengthen your immune system, allowing your body to fight off infections. However, according to the Urology Clinic at UAMS, cranberry juice cannot cure a urinary tract infection on its own.
The myth about cranberry juice may have started because the juice helps alleviate some of the discomfort and pain of a urinary tract infection. In addition, studies have shown drinking cranberry juice can help reduce your risk of getting a UTI. However, if you have an infection, your doctor will need to prescribe antibiotics to clear up the condition. Drinking cranberry juice, as well as other liquids, while you have an infection will help flush the bacteria from your system and speed healing.
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Get Your Fill Of Water And Water
One of the first things to do when you have a urinary tract infection is drink plenty of water. Thats because drinking water can help flush away the bacteria that’s causing your infection, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases . It puts you on the right track for recovery.
Most people can be assured theyre getting the water they need by simply drinking water when thirsty, according to the health and medicine division of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. But to be safe, you may want to make sure youre drinking at least six to eight 8-ounce glasses of water each day. General recommendations have suggested that women get about 91 oz of water daily and men get about 125 oz each day, including water from food, as also noted in that group’s report.
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Cranberry Juice And Combinations Of Its Organic Acids Are Effective Against Experimental Urinary Tract Infection
- 1Department of Bacteria, Parasites and Fungi, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
- 2Natural Products and Peptides, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
The antibacterial effect of cranberry juice and the organic acids therein on infection by uropathogenic Escherichia coli was studied in an experimental mouse model of urinary tract infection . Reduced bacterial counts were found in the bladder of mice drinking fresh cranberry juice. Commercially available cranberry juice cocktail also significantly reduced bacterial populations in the bladder, as did the hydrophilic fraction of cranberry juice . Quinic, malic, shikimic, and citric acid, the preponderant organic acids in cranberry juice, were tested in combination and individually. The four organic acids also decreased bacterial levels in the bladder when administered together , and so did the combination of malic plus citric acid and malic plus quinic acid . The other tested combinations of the organic acids, and the acids administered singly, did not have any effect in the UTI model. Apparently, the antibacterial effect of the organic acids from cranberry juice on UTI can be obtained by administering a combination of malic acid and either citric or quinic acid. This study show for the first time that cranberry juice reduce E. coli colonization of the bladder in an experimental mouse model of urinary tract infection and that the organic acids are active agents.
Does Cranberry Juice Work For Uti:
Traditionally, cranberry juice has been used for the treatment and also for the prevention of urinary tract infections . Research has suggested that it can be used to prevent these infections. The studies have also acknowledged the fact that regular drinking of cranberry juice may have a protective effect against UTI in pregnancy.
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Are Bananas Good For Utis
The American Urological Association calls bananas a bladder-friendly food. Thats because bananas arent likely to irritate the bladder in most people. Other bladder-friendly fruits and veggies include: pears, green beans, winter squash, and potatoes. While eating bananas may help to lessen bladder irritation, eating bananas alone wont make a UTI go away.