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 Excellence‘s 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.
How To Take Cranberry Juice For Uti:
If you wish to use cranberry juice to treat UTI then you must take it 114 to 296ml or in doses of 4 to 10 oz. of pure juice, a day. Since cranberry juice is very sour the cranberry juice which is available commercially contains added sweeteners. You should therefore purchase that brand which has the lowest amount of added sugar.
The Truth About Cranberry Juice And Utis
Urinary tract infections affect 50-60% of women at some point in their lives. The condition can be painful, characterized by a strong urge to urinate, burning sensations, and cloudy or reddish-colored urine with a strong smell.
While antibiotics are the go to remedy for a UTI, you may have heard that simply drinking cranberry juice or taking a cranberry supplement is just as effective. Before you treat yourself with the tart drink, know the facts about cranberry juice and UTIs.
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Does Cranberry Juice Make You Poop
One question that many people have when they consider cranberry juice for constipation is, does cranberry juice make you poop? While a large amount of cranberry juice will definitely increase your bowel movements, it is also essential to understand that consuming cranberry juice in large quantities is not healthy. The reason for this is that cranberry contains fructose, which is a sugar that can be hard for the body to digest.
Although cranberry juice is a very healthy fruit, it can cause laxative when consumed in excess. Its a natural laxative, and it can help people suffering from constipation to poop. However, it should be kept in mind that cranberry juice is highly processed and therefore contains added sugar. While cranberry juice is highly nutritious, it does contain high levels of sugar and is often mixed with other fruit juices.
While drinking cranberry juice can cause poop, it doesnt have any side effects. In fact, cranberry juice has many other beneficial properties. It is also great for your overall health and can be used as a laxative if you suffer from a low stomach acid problem. Moreover, cranberry juice can increase vitamin B12 levels, which aid in the production of stomach acid. As a result, cranberry has laxative effects. But, consuming this juice should be done in moderation.
Can Cranberry Juice Really Help Treat A Uti
Now for the million-dollar question: Is cranberry juice really the magic elixir people claim it to be for UTI relief?
Wellnot totally. Some studies have shown that cranberry products can help prevent UTIs, but other research calls this into question, saying that its really impossible to consider whether this works for everyone.
Why does cranberry juice supposedly help UTIs? Cranberries are chock full of antioxidants and vitamin C. Also, some evidence suggests that compounds in cranberries called proanthocyanidins may help stop E. coli and other bad bacteria from adhering to the urinary tract.
The American Urological Association even says that clinicians can offer cranberry juice as an option for patients to prevent recurring UTIsbut it shouldnt take the place of other, more well-established treatments doctors have been using for years.
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The Magic Of Cranberries
UTIs are most often caused by bacteria called Escherichia coli, or E. coli for short. Cranberries contain compounds called A-type proanthocyanidins that prevent E. coli from adhering to the bladder walls. Whether theres enough of this compound in a serving of juice or supplements to make a difference in your health has not been categorically proven by research.
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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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.
When To See A Doctor
Its a good idea to consult a healthcare provider anytime you might have a UTI. They can help you figure out if your symptoms are consistent with a urinary tract infection or if you might have something else, like a yeast infection, sexually transmitted infection, or interstitial cystitis.
Talking about sexual health or any kind of issue down there can be uncomfortable, but trust us when we say your doctor is here to help. The worst case scenario is that you avoid your symptoms and then come in only when they start to get worse.
If you start noticing the following symptoms, its a sign your UTI might be turning into a kidney infection:
- Fever
- Nausea or vomiting
- Back pain
This is serious business and will require medical expertise to avoid further complications. No home health remedy takes the place of expert care when you need it most.
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What Did The Research Involve
Researchers set out to test whether cranberry juice and other products were more effective than either placebo or no treatment, or any other treatment in the prevention of UTIs in susceptible populations. They also wished to test whether different cranberry products differed in how well they prevented UTIs.
They searched a number of electronic databases for all randomised controlled trial and quasi-RCTs on the effectiveness of cranberry products in the prevention of UTIs.
They also contacted companies involved in the promotion and distribution of cranberry products for information on both published and unpublished studies, and searched reference lists of review articles and relevant studies.
They also searched by hand a number of specialist journals and the proceedings of major relevant conferences. Non-English language studies were included.
The studies included were of the following groups:
- those with a history of recurrent UTI
- elderly people
- people with abnormalities of the urinary tract
- children with a UTI
They excluded any studies in which cranberry products were tested as a treatment for UTI, and studies of any urinary tract condition not caused by a bacterial infection.
Two of the authors independently assessed the quality of all the studies eligible, using a validated tool to assess the risk of bias, and extracted the relevant data on study methods, participants, interventions and outcomes.
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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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.
Do Girls Enjoy Cranberry Juice
The answer to this question is complicated. Some girls are absolutely in love with cranberry juice, while others cant stand the taste. What you want to look for is the pH level of the juice. Cranberry juice that has a low pH level is thought to have more health benefits than cranberry juice that has a high pH level.
You might be wondering why you should care about pH levels if you dont know what they are. Dont worry! Well get into what pH means in an instant, but first lets discuss some of the other benefits of drinking cranberry juice.
Cranberry juice offers many different health benefits, including protecting your urinary tract from bacteria and treating yeast infections. The drink also may help relieve mild bladder irritation and discomfort during menstruation by increasing acidity in urine, which helps prevent bacteria from growing unchecked in the bladder. The acidity also may help stop vaginal yeast infections by lowering pH levels at the vaginas surface and making it difficult for yeasts to thrive there
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How Cranberry Juice Treats Urinary Tract Infections
A mixture of cranberry juice, water, and sweeteners found in cranberry juice cocktail was used for the study because it is the most popular cranberry beverage. The researchers discovered that in petri dishes, cranberry metabolites in the juice prevented E. coli from sticking to other bacteria, limiting its ability to grow and multiply. If E. coli is able to connect with other bacteria, such as the bacteria found in the urinary tract, it forms a layer or “biofilm.” This allows the bacteria to multiply and produce an infection.
“A number of controlled clinical trials — these are carefully designed and conducted scientific studies done in humans — have concluded that cranberry juice really is effective for preventing urinary tract infections,” says study researcher Terri Anne Camesano, PhD, in a news release. “That has important implications, considering the size of the problem and the health care costs involved.”
Urinary tract infections are more common among women than men. According to the researchers, one in three women has had a urinary tract infection.
Urinary tract infections can occur anywhere along the urinary tract, which includes the bladder, urethra, and ureter. These infections account for 8 million trips to the doctor’s office every year and cost more than $1.6 billion to treat.
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Probably Not A Great Treatment For Active Utis
While cranberry products help protect against UTI recurrence in some people, evidence supporting the use of cranberry juice and cranberry juice products for improving symptoms in people who have active UTIs is weak.
One review that included three high quality studies concluded that, overall, there wasnt enough evidence to show that cranberry extract helps treat active UTIs .
Another study that included 46 women found that taking cranberry capsules both alone and when combined with antibiotics may help reduce the need for antibiotic use and improve certain UTI-related symptoms in women with active UTIs .
Its important to note that this was a feasibility study with 46 participants, designed to assess whether a larger scale study would be feasible. Thus, its results may not be as robust as the results of a larger, high quality study.
Some women in the study noted that taking the cranberry supplements helped reduce antibiotic use and helped clear the infection more quickly than antibiotics alone, while others reported no improvement when they took the cranberry supplements.
Its important to note that most available research focuses on using cranberry products to prevent UTIs, not treat active infections.
Currently, theres not enough evidence to suggest that cranberry products are effective at reducing UTI symptoms or speeding recovery from active UTIs.
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Cranberry Juice A Word Of Caution
Cranberry is touted as an effective treatment for urinary tract infections. It is often sold in pill form or as an herbal supplement. Healthcare providers worry that cranberry can increase the risk of developing kidney stones. Therefore, they recommend avoiding the consumption of consuming a large amount of berries.
There are several potential side effects of cranberry. While consuming this product does have some benefits, you must consult your doctor first. It may cause problems if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Furthermore, it is not safe if you are taking blood-thinning medications or are diabetic.
- This is because the juice contains salts called oxalates that may raise the risk of kidney stones.
- Additionally, women of all ages can suffer from bladder control issues and incontinence.
- Although cranberry has many benefits, the use of this supplement during pregnancy should not be pursued if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- It has been known to pass into breast milk, which could be harmful to the baby.
- So, it is advisable to consult a health professional before taking any herbal supplements. Always follow the instructions on the packaging of the supplements. It is also important to remember not to take more than the recommended dosage.
Why Do Girls Drink Cranberry Juice: The Science Behind This Well
Cranberry juice has grown in popularity over the years. Its been called a miracle drink, and its been said to have healing properties for everything from bladder infections to yeast infections. But what is this fruit that garners so much attention? Cranberries are a type of berry that grow on low-lying vines in boggy alluvial soils.
They have a sour taste and a white, seedy center. Native Americans used to pick cranberries by hand and boil them with sugar for use during winter months. Today, we can find cranberries in a variety of foods and drinks, including cranberry juice cocktails, pastries, sauces, jams, jellies, muffins, cakes even wine!
In this article we answer all your questions about why girls drink cranberry juice.
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