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The red fruits of Vaccinium macrocarpon Aiton, called cranberry, are well known to most of us. They have been used in jams, fruit juices, and as a coloring for many other food products. The juice (and powdered concentrate) has been known for sometime to help prevent urinary tract infections.
The fruits contain a variety of compounds including anthocyanins, flavonol glycosides, catechin, various organic acids, and small amounts of alkaloids. While some of these components have bacteriostatic activity, it seems that an uncharacterized polymer in these fruits acts as a potent anti-adhesive. This compound seems to prevent E. coli (the primary cause of chronic UTIs) from attaching to the lining of the urinary tract; thus preventing an infection. The cranberry fructose may assist in this function. Cranberry is quite acidic and is not recommended to be taken with arbutin containing products (Uva Ursi, etc) as they will only work in a basic pH.
Cranberry extract is also available in powder form.
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Cranberry Juice can help with the following: | | | | | Digestion |  IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) |
Infections |
 Cystitis, Bacterial bladder Infection | There is evidence to suggest that drinking cranberry juice in addition to water can help fight a bladder infection. Since the mid-1800s, cranberry juice has been associated with urinary antibiotic properties. The juice does not appear to work by acidifying the urine, but rather contains compounds that have a mild antibacterial quality or help prevent E. coli from adhering to tissues. There is evidence that if you consume a glass of cranberry juice each day, it could reduce the incidence of urinary tract infections (UTI). The most widely-accepted dose is 3 ounces of 33% pure cranberry juice daily to prevent an infection and 12-32 ounces per day for treatment.
It has been reported that cranberries contain more mannose than any other food. This sugar, D-mannose, blocks E. coli attachment. Since the mannose content in cranberries is relatively low, many natural doctors now use supplemental D-mannose to deal with the most common form of cystitis, an E. coli infection. D-mannose can be used for preventive purposes also.
A study was conducted at the Finnish Student Health Services at Oulu University with 150 women with persistent UTIs. Fifty drank just under 2oz of cranberry juice concentrate per day for six months. Another 50 drank a preparation of Lactobacillus, while the final 50 women were given no treatment. After six months, only eight women taking cranberry juice had experienced a UTI, compared with 19 of those taking Lactobacillus, and 18 not taking anything.
50ml of cranberry juice concentrate seems to be well-tolerated and is effective in preventing bladder infections. Larger quantities should be considered when an infection is present. Cranberry cocktail or juice may be very diluted and may produce no benefit if not taken in sufficient quantities to approximate a 50ml (just under 2 ounce) dose of concentrate. Check labels to ensure a high proportion of actual cranberry juice in whatever preparation you choose, or use only concentrate or powder forms. |
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KEY | | May do some good | | | Highly recommended |
GLOSSARY
Bacteriostatic
Preventing multiplication of bacteria.
Chronic (Chronicity)
Usually referring to chronic illness: Illness extending over a long period of time.
Cystitis
Inflammation of the urinary bladder.
Fructose
A simple sugar which occurs naturally in fruit or honey.
Lactobacillus
A genus of gram-positive, acid-resistant bacteria in the Lactobacillaceae family. We know of lactobacillus because of its use in making yogurt and the conventional wisdom of taking it in one form or another after antibiotic therapy, but it is an integral part of the colon and mouth flora, and is the critical acidifying agent in vaginal flora. There is a growing body of rather ignored data showing the value of regular consumption of a lactobacillus-containing food in immunosuppression, slow virus, and candidiasis conditions.
Milliliter (mL)
0.001 or one thousandth of a liter.
Ounce (Ounces, oz)
Approximately 28 grams.
pH
A measure of an environment's acidity or alkalinity. The more acidic the solution, the lower the pH. For example, a pH of 1 is very acidic; a pH of 7 is neutral; a pH of 14 is very alkaline.
Urinary Tract (UT)
The kidneys and the lower urinary tract, which includes the ureters, bladder, and urethra.
UTI
Urinary Tract Infection.
Last updated: Apr 13, 2008
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