Can Cranberry Help Prevent or Treat UTIs?

You might have heard that cranberries help prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs). But are these berries really as medicinal as they are tart and tasty?

There has been some doubt about the power of cranberries with regards to UTIs. Some studies have found that drinking cranberry juice or taking cranberry pills can prevent UTIs, especially in women who are at risk for these infections. But others haven???t come to that conclusion.

Cranberries don’t seem to work for everyone. And they don???t treat UTIs that you already have.

The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology says that unsweetened cranberry juice and cranberry supplements may make UTIs less likely, but that it is not yet clear how much you need to take and for how long.

The bottom line? Cranberry won???t hurt, but it may help. It could be worth trying if you struggle with frequent UTIs, as the risk in doing so is low.

Urinary tract infection (UTI) affects more than 150 million people worldwide and is the most common urologic disease in the United States. More specifically, women have a 50-per cent risk of a UTI episode over their lifetime, and approximately 20 to 30-percent of women experience a subsequent UTI recurrence. The most common treatment of UTIs is antibiotics however recurring infections and antibiotic treatments may result in antibiotic resistance and gastrointestinal problems. Therefore alternative methods, specifically through nutrition can be beneficial if proven to be an effective way to help treat UTIs.

How you actually can help prevent UTIs

Here are several measures that women should do to help prevent UTIs:

• Drink lots of water and urinate frequently.
• Avoid fluids such as alcohol and caffeine that can irritate the bladder.
• Urinate shortly after sex.
• Wipe from front to back after urinating and bowel movement.
• Keep the genital area clean.
• Showers are preferred to baths and avoid using oils.
• Wear cotton underwear and loose-fitting clothing to keep the area around the urethra dry.

In the event of a urinary tract infection, antibiotics are the most common treatment. If left untreated, particularly in children, the elderly, or people with other chronic medical conditions, urinary tract infections can become more severe.