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Does Drinking Cranberry Juice Help A Bladder Infection

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Can Cranberry Juice Prevent A Uti

Does cranberry juice helps in urinary tract infection? – Ms. Sushma Jaiswal

Maybe. There is some good evidence in the research that consuming cranberry juice or cranberries can help lower bacteria in the bladder and prevent recurrence of UTIs in both human and animal models, says Seattle-based functional nutrition expert Ginger Hultin, RD, a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and owner of Champagne Nutrition.

A review of studies, published in 2017 in the Journal of Urology, found that consuming cranberry products reduced the risk of UTIs by up to 33 percent. The cranberry products seemed especially effective for those who had recurring infections.

Cranberry Juice Might Not Be So Good For Bladder Infections

Cranberry juice might not be so good for bladder infections When you get down to the scientific evidence, many natural health products turn out to be a bit disappointing. Vitamin C when youve got a cold? Doesnt work. Glucosamine for joint pain? Not enough research to be sure.

One natural treatment that does have some scientific evidence behind it is cranberry juice for women who get bladder infections. Two studies found that cranberry juice or capsules helped cut the proportion of women who got repeated infections from 37 percent to 21 percent.

Now, though, a new study has raised doubts about whether cranberry juice really does work. The study looked at 319 women, who were all college students. They’d all recently had a bladder infection. Half were given 8 ounces of cranberry juice to drink every day. The other half were given a drink that looked and tasted similar, but didn’t contain any cranberry juice.

Why should the previous studies have had positive results, but not the new one? One possible explanation is the dose of juice. In one of the positive studies, women drank 8 ounces of cranberry juice three times a day, and some also took cranberry capsules. That compares with just the one 8-ounce serving in the new study.

Given the conflicting studies, its still possible that cranberry juice could prevent bladder infections, especially if you drink lots of it. In any case, its easily available and there shouldnt be any side effects, so you might think its worth a try.

What Causes A Urinary Tract Infection

Most UTIs are caused by E. coli, bacteria that normally live in your intestines, where they help to break down and absorb nutrients from your food. But when E. coli bacteria get into parts of your body where they dont belong like your bladder they can cause infection.

E. coli is the most common cause of urinary tract infection, but other bacteria, too, can travel from your rectum to your bladder, where they may cause an infection.

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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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Whats A Cpac And Why Is It Helpful

The Research on Cranberry Juice and Urinary Tract Infections

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 :

Also Check: Can Too Much Sugar Cause A Bladder Infection

Also Check: How Quickly Can A Bladder Infection Start

What Is A Uti

A urinary tract infection is an infection in your urinary system caused by unwanted bacteria.

Heres how it works: Bacteria, often from the rectal area, enters the urethra and triggers inflammation. The most common type of bacteria to cause a UTI is escherichia coli , which is already present in the digestive system and sometimes on the skin.

However, when E. coli gets where its not supposed to be , the area can quickly become irritated.

Important Tips To Use Cranberry Juice For Yeast Infection

Cranberry juice for yeast infection is a natural method and can prove highly helpful. Experts say that microscopic fungi always live on the surface of the body, however, if the area remains moist or warm and other organisms are eliminated with the help of antibiotics, the fungus may spread at a quick pace and can turn to infection.

Recommended Reading: Mild Bladder Infection Home Remedies

Uti Home Remedies: Does Cranberry Juice Really Help

If you have a urinary tract infection , you want it gone ASAP.

UTI symptoms aren’t just inconvenient and annoying, they’re downright uncomfortable with notable ones including a frequent urge to urinate and a burning sensation, or even pain, as you do. Having to deal with these symptoms is common, especially for women.

What’s more, UTI recurrence can be fairly common too. The chance of a UTI cropping up again within six months falls just shy of 25% for women between the ages of 18 and 40.

So if you get them frequently, you’re likely looking for ways to prevent the next one.

Cranberry juice is a classic UTI home remedy. In fact, maybe the only reason you even stock the juice in the fridge is because you get such infections often or when you feel one coming on. If you can’t stand the sour taste of cranberry juice, you might be thinking about trying a cranberry pill or tablet instead.

But can cranberries, whether the fruit itself, juice or a supplement, actually help relieve or prevent UTI symptoms?

What Vitamin Helps With Bladder Control

“Does Cranberry Juice Really Cause Urinary Tract Infections? with Dr. Melanie Crites-Bachert

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.

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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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What Should You Do If You Keep Getting Urinary Tract Infections

Its best to see a healthcare provider and get a culture of your urine if you have a recurrent infection one that comes back after treatment. The type of bacterial infection you have will influence how a healthcare provider treats it. Its also a good idea to get checked out to be sure that nothing else is going on, says Stapleton.

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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.

So Much Of What I Read Led Me To Believe Two Things About Utis In Men:

Does Cranberry Juice Help Prevent or Treat a UTI?

#1: Men dont suffer from UTIs as much as women, based on their anatomy.

Longer urethas mean its easier to flush out bacteria when urinating.

#2: When men do contract a UTI, they tend to be whats called a complicated infection.

There is a need to be observant and prudent in treatment.

Id be interested to know if any guys reading this have tried any of these home remedies and what they discovered.

Also Check: Start Of Bladder Infection What To Do

Is Cranberry Juice Good For You

Whether youre wondering Is Cranberry juice good for you? or are you curious about their health benefits, youve probably wondered, Is Cranberry juice good for you? , but are there any other benefits to eating cranberries? It all depends on your personal preferences and the type of cranberry you choose. If youre looking for a healthy snack that tastes great, cranberries can be a great choice. The fiber content in cranberry juice makes it a convenient food for those who are trying to lose weight. And with a high level of proanthocyanidins, cranberries may also prevent oral and stomach cancer.

Although cranberries are more tart than blueberries and have a lower sugar content, they still contain important vitamins and minerals that promote digestive health and the antioxidant system. Theyre also a great source of fiber. Despite their alleged health benefits, cranberries are not recommended as a cure-all for urinary tract infections, but they can help lower the risk of certain cancers. Another benefit is that theyre known to help the body fight off certain food-borne diseases, such as salmonella and listeria.

Also Check: How To Cure Urinary Retention Naturally

What Causes A Uti

Urinary tract infections have a variety of causes, and some people are more likely to get them than others. Here are the factors at play:

  • Biological sex: People with vaginas are more likely than people with penises to develop UTIs. Blame genital anatomy. In people with vaginas, the rectal area is close enough to the urethra that its not inconceivable that bacteria would end up in the wrong place. By contrast, the urethra and rectum are farther apart when someone has a penis. It is possible for someone with a penis to get a UTI, its just much less common than it is for those with vaginas.
  • Age: Post-menopausal women are more likely than younger women to get UTIs due to things like urinary incontinence and estrogen deficiency. Women who had recurrent UTIs in their younger years might get them even more often after menopause.
  • Sexual activity: One major downside to sex is that it increases your risk of getting a UTI. Think about it: Any type of friction in your genital area can allow bacteria to move around down there, potentially getting into your urethra and triggering infection.

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How To Choose A Cranberry Supplement For Uti Prevention

Thinking of trying cranberry supplements for a UTI? Check in with your doctor first. While cranberry tablets probably wont hurt you, its always a good idea to talk with a medical professional before trying any new supplement.

If youre taking the blood thinner warfarin, for instance, you may want to avoid cranberry products, per the Cleveland Clinic. While NCCIH notes the evidence is conflicting, the concern is that cranberry may boost warfarins anti-coagulation effects, leading more bruising or bleeding.

You can find a number of cranberry products at the drugstore, but not all supplements are created equal. Dietary supplements have far less regulation than, say, pharmaceutical medications, and whats stated on their packaging may not be whats actually inside the pills. In fact, a 2018 study in JAMA Network Open revealed that a whopping 776 dietary supplements contained unapproved ingredients, so youll want to do your homework to make sure youre getting a decent cranberry tablet for UTIs .

People should look for a high-quality supplement that has some sort of certification, like the USP Verified Mark or NSF certification,Bruce Sloane, MD, urologist at Philadelphia Urology Associates, tells Health. That means its been sent to an independent lab that has verified that what the companies have said is in the supplement is actually in the supplement. Note: If a supplement has been verified by a third-party lab, it will usually promote it on its label.

Can Spermicide Use Increase The Risk Of Utis

“Does Cranberry Juice Really Cause Urinary Tract Infections? with Dr. Melanie Crites-Bachert

Our skin, gut and urogenital system are all normally inhabited by a variety of bacteria, which are part of our natural microbiome and play a beneficial role, including helping to protect us against harmful microbes. Like other microbial systems of our body, the urogenital microbiome is a balance of good and bad bacteria.

“Spermicide, specifically nonoxynol-9 spermicide, kills lactobacillus, a good bacterium, says Stapleton.

If youre using spermicidal condoms or a diaphragm with spermicide and also getting UTIs, you may want to try alternative birth control methods and see if that makes a difference, she says.

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What Juice Is Good For Kidney Function

The potassium content of grapes, apples, and cranberries is lower than that of oranges and orange juice, so they are good substitutes. Potassium is a major component of orange juice and should be consumed only on a renal diet. Instead of grapes, apples, cranberries, or their juices, try grapes, apples, or cranberries.

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:

Also Check: Why Does My Bladder Feel Full After I Pee

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