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Q. My wife has had several urinary tract infections lately. Will cranberry juice be effective for prevention?
A. Cranberry juice has a reputation for reducing the number of urinary tract infections women suffer. Doctors and nutrition scientists have been arguing ever since the 1960s about how effective this strategy may be.
In the most recent analysis, Dutch researchers compared cranberry tablets to the antibiotic trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Septra) for one year (PLOS One, online Apr. 4, 2014). Although the antibiotic was slightly more effective at preventing urinary tract infections, it also led to bacterial resistance. Cranberries didn’t cause resistance.
The researchers could not find a statistically significant difference between outcomes of the two treatments. If your wife tries cranberries, she will need to be monitored to make sure the infection has not returned.
We would like to hear from others about their experience with cranberry juice or cranberry extract. Has it worked for you or was it an expensive waste of time? We do worry about the high sugar content of some commercial cranberry juice products. Let us know how you have avoided that problem?
hd
Drs. told me that Elem. School Teachers had frequent UTIs. (We often can not get to bathroom when needed.) So I took various Doctors’ Advice: Absolutely make sure to EMPTY BLADDER as frequently as possible, to always cleanse area after sex, to be sure to wipe cleanly & toward rear after Bowel Movements & to use cotton panties. (I was already doing all that Drs. advised, but still had frequent UTI Symptoms of Bladder Infections.)
I wanted to PREVENT INFECTION. (So as to avoid pain/discomfort & avoid use of frequently prescribed or necessary antibiotics. Then Learned about & used Cranberry Capsules 3x @ week, used Baby wipes after Bowel Movements. (cleans away Coli Bacteria that may “catch” on panties.) Have not had UTI for over 5-6 years since adding practice of Cranberry Capsules & Baby wipes. Hooray !!! (Cotton panties v. other cloth seemed to make no difference for me.)
CAR
Over the years I’ve had problems having UTI’s, but since I have been taking cranberry pills everyday I have not had the problem.
d.s.
I too suffered “apparent” frequent UTI. (no proof since most doctors did not do specific labs.) had no usual issues that could have been the cause. I wanted to prevent any occurrences. I heard about & used cranberry juice, but meant having on hand, even when did not use & much was thrown out. So I switched to baby wipes !!! (figured using after each bm would properly clean & eliminate coli bacteria.–wipe away from urethra.) I use religiously.
I have had no UTIs diagnosed since. 1 time a “possibility” of UTI symptoms in 2010. I took cranberry capsules. I had Dr. do specific lab test. no infection. Thus no need for rxs. (have been victimized many years as fluoquinolone toxicity, thus chronic pain disability from: tendons, nerves, muscles, spasms etc. cannot take chance on any more careless drs. recklessly, needlessly prescribing rxs in quinolone family for “possible UTI.”
So I take occasional cranberry capsule –4x @month, plus I now always use baby wipes after a bowel movement—wipe toward rear. I have not had a UTI infection in 5 years !!! No symptoms since 2010. I swear by baby wipes & cranberry capsules. Other good medical: no reason to take careless Drs. rx of dangerous antibiotics quinolones: avelox, levaquin or cipro which were never designed for 1st line defense of any infection.
Ruth
I’ve used both the juice and pills to help get rid of UTI’s. It’s best to start it as soon as you feel one starting. And the advice about urinating immediately after sex is important, it helps clear out any residual bacteria that may be harmful. In fact, putting it off at any time will increase the chances of having a UTI, always empty your bladder as often as you can.
DLain
I have taken cranberry juice capsules, and I have not had a bladder infection since.
VH
You can buy unsweetened cranberry juice in health food stores. Since it can be tart, I mix it with natural orange juice.
L. L. Akerlund
I make my own cranberry sauce – using Stevia as part of the sweetener thus reducing the calories. I use about 1 tablespoon mixed with greek style yogurt on my cereal. I have this for breakfast about 4 time a week. I haven’t had a uti for 2 1/2 years. Previously I had 3 bout in one year.
JA
Women over 50 need to request that their partner use a condom. Our tissue is thin and prone to every bacteria and virus coming down the pike. The protection prevents the bacteria and viruses from getting into our already compromised tissue. Request a condom!
Fran U.
After years of treating UTIs with antibiotics, I started using Unsweetened cranberry juice from Traders Joe’s. The juice sold as cranberry juice in grocery stores is mostly grape & apple juice loaded with high fructose syrup and other sugars so avoid that stuff.
The pure unsweetened cranberry juice is quite sour and strong so I mixed it with some water to make it easier to drink. And I drank it frequently all day until I consumed the entire bottle (about a qt) in a day. It never failed to cure the UTI and gradually they decreased in frequency until now I have only an occurrence about once every 3 – 4 years, if that.
I still keep a bottle in my pantry just in case.
SP
I am also using D-Mannose powder. I’m convinced it is preventing bladder infections. Intercourse had just about guaranteed a bladder infection. I use it prophylactily afterwards, a teaspoon three times a day for two days. I haven’t an infection since, and I suspect it cleaned up the last traces of the last one after a course of Cipro.
Sarah H.
I have been using D-mannose and cranberry tablets for a year now and it has helped. Both of these were suggested by my urologist.
PE
No but if you will google D-Mannose or UTI’s you can read lots of comments of lots of ladies that use it. Glad it’s working for you.
TW
I have used cranberry capsules when I have felt a UTI coming on, effectively stopping UTI’s in their tracks for 45 years. I have not had any kidney problems since I was 28 yrs old. (Don’t even try the juices in the regular grocery stores! They are nothing but white grape juice or apple juice and added sugar or fructose corn syrup!) the capsules are less expensive than the 100% juices unless you make your own.
PSD
I have not. My problems were in the early 70’s. I am now 69. I don’t get the uti’s much anymore. Now I understand drug sensitivity is routine. Nothing can help my leakage. Thank’ for answering.
Noemi
As soon as I sense the start of a urinary tract infection I start drinking cranberry juice, and continue doing so for about two days. It does work for me. I even found cranberry juice NOT from concentrate to be healthier (just like other juices not from concentrate). It doesn’t have all that other stuff in it. However, my doctor said if one gets a flareup often it may be a sign of something else going on..
hs
I am happy to share my experience that Cranberry Juice Cocktail has kept me from trotting to the bathroom 3 – 4 times nightly. I recently discovered that it is important to get the “Cocktail” brand, as the other Cranberry Juice has other fruit juces, sugars and other additives, and just does not do the job. Look for “Cocktail” on the label. Personally, this has been very helpful for my continual bladder issues.
Fmh
I use to have a lot of urinary infection and mtg doctor put me on Cranberry pills and I have been much better I only get about one infection a year now. I am very happy about the results.
Anne
As a high school teacher, I had my first urinary tract infections. I read a short article that said that getting to the bathroom more often was preventive. At that time, I was teaching 4 morning classes in a row, and ordinarily didn’t get to the bathroom until lunchtime.
I decided that standing at the classroom door, as I was supposed to do, was less important than risking the next UTI, and I made a point of getting to the bathroom mid-morning.
I became a believer.
I don’t think that cranberries will overcome an established infection, but as a preventive, I think they are effective. Luckily, I found that I really like dried cranberries as a snack, to add to salads, or as an alternative to raisins in cereal or cookies. (Trader Joe’s orange flavored ones are my favorite, but I buy others in larger bags.) I think they work. It’s been several years now since I’ve had a UTI.
Cranberry capsules are also available. I put a bottle in my suitcase when travelling.
Mel
Pure cranberry juice, just the berry juice, works for me and has for years. I take it at the very first sign of infection—frequent urination, fatigue—and the infection is gone. I drink two big bottles…one the first day and another the second for good measure.
DO NOT USE THE ADULTERATED PRODUCT, mixed with other juices, sugar added etc.
The 100% pure juice is very sour and I thin it half and half with water and keep sipping it all day long or sometimes, I just put on my big girl pants and slug down a big glass all at once.
My take is that the bacteria that grow in the bladder like sugar and when I see the signs of a urinary tract infection, I also cut out sugar.
I don’t know if pure cranberry juice alone would be enough to defeat a full-blown bladder infection of some duration. I never let it get that far.
Hope this helps. I always have two bottles on the pantry shelf just in case.
RAW
I have been taking ‘cranberry soft chews’ (500mg) for over a year and really feel like they have helped me. I take one every day. If I even think a UTI might be starting I take 2 a day for a week or so. (I have a pessary so I’m more likely to get UTIs) I have found Walmart has the best cranberry chews and also the best price.
Tom M.
I took cranberry caps for several years after a couple UTIs. I also had BPH for 20+ years. For several years, possibly the same time frame I was taking cranberry caps, I had urinary dribble. After a rotorouter procedure, I continued the cranberry caps; but, continued to have a dribble problem, at times worse than before the procedure.
I selectively started eliminating some vitamins and minerals in as controlled a means as possible. I feel pretty certain that the cranberry caps were causing the dribble problem and I no longer have that symptom. I have been reluctant to resume the cranberry caps for fear of a resumed dribble situation. Anyone comment on a positive relationship between cranberry caps and urinary dribble?
EH
I easily get UTI infections from sex which is extremely common for women. I took Bactrim for years but decided to find something more natural when changing my overall health. I found that taking D-Mannose with cranberry or cranactin after sex (2,000mg) works wonders. It is basically a natural sugar that creates bacterial anti-adherence. Make sure to bathe and urinate immediately after as well.
cara
My naturopathic doctor uses cranberry extract capsules on me when I get a iUT infection. Works for me.
PSD
In the late 60’s, I had uti’s every two weeks for a long time. I had been given an old antibiotic every time. I was finally sent to a urologist who decided to cut my opening to the bladder (too small) which has caused leakage ever since.
After the procedure, I had kidney pain and went to an internist who wanted to do a drug sensitivity test. Sure enough, my specialist original Dr. said NO! “I cuter her”. Sure enough the wrong antibiotic was used every time. Thank God that drug sensitivity test are done now regularly, now. But, I am plagued with severely damaged bladder that does not hold urine. PSD
EL
I am diabetic and was prone to bladder infections. Although I tried drinking cranberry juice made from unsweetened concentrate, I didn’t like it so switched to cranberry softgels and have continued to take a softgel daily. I haven’t had a bladder infection since the early ’90s. Coincidence or cranberries?
Karin M.
Re: UTI’s. UNSWEETENED cranberry Juice, tart cherry juice or loganberry juice always helped me and everyone in the family who tried it. It helps to prevent and/or ameliorates gout, as well. Stay away from sugars and too much meat. Eat plain Joghurt, NOT the sugary kind.
PE
I started taking D-Mannose for UTI’s and it works. At fist sympton I mix 1 teaspoon with 8 ounces of water and drink. Within a day it is gone. I got mine from Whole Foods. If it is worse, I do that every three hours for a day. I don’t like taking antibotics. I have recommended this to a lot of friends and it has worked for them.
DS
I had infections for years and at one time was put on an antibiotic for a year. End of problem for a while, then after maybe ten years I started gating UTI s again. The doctor would insist on an expensive culture before giving an antibiotic, and by the time I started the med I would be most uncomfortable.
I stumbled upon D Mannose and that cured the problem most of the time without even seeing the doctor. Then I discovered a product online containing cranberry, d mannose and a probiotic. This is the best. I need to add that when I started eating lacto- fermented cabbage and especially kefir, with which I make berry smoothies, things got even better.
It is insulting to be told to wipe from front to back when you have never done it any other way. But women’s bodies do allow for migration of bacteria and planting really good bacteria in the digestive tract can be helpful for urinary problems.
JV
I used to have many UTI infections and used Bactrim and Septra many times and have become allergic to those drugs from use. I take cranberry pills instead of drinking juice. I think it works well. The minute I feel like I am going to get a UTI, I start taking a pill. Also when traveling and not able to drink water as much. Take cranberry pill to prevent a UTI. IT works for me.
laf
I take cranberry capsules at the very onset of a UTI for two to three days. It works every time. My boyfriend takes it also.
cjf
I have been using D-mannose. Do you have more information about this? It seems to be working better than the antibiotics.
Jackie H.
I have been taking cranberry pills for over a year, and I still get uti’s, I have had 5 in the past year. so I quit taking them.
CRL
There are a couple of unsweetened pure cranberry juices out there, found at better grocery stores and most health food stores; you will want to avoid the blends because they have hidden sugar. They go great in fruit smoothies with apple to sweeten them but they are hard to drink straight without a major pucker!
Stevia makes for a good alternative when drinking “straight” to sweeten it. I used the juice and lots of it when already had an infection but used the capsules after, as a daily prevention to prevent return. Being diabetic, I avoid added sugar in anything and get my “sweet” from natural fruits.
MLJL
I find that 100% Organic Cranberry Juice helps almost every time. I avoid the sugar by making sure I do not purchase Cranberry Juice Cocktail. There are at least two brands that make 100% Organic Cranberry Juice. The one I buy is a store brand.
Betty France
Nice but there are meds that you had best not be taking at the same time.
CBL
UTI infections have plagued me for 40 years. After 30 years of struggling using LOTS of antibiotics to treat infections, I began using cranberry pills; one every morning.
Also, avoiding caffeine and showering and taking Bactrim immediately after intercourse significantly reduced the number of infections. A year ago, however, I stopped using Bactrim. All was well until recently I drank two glasses of tea and a Coke; the caffeine brought on another infection. Drinking a gallon of Cranberry juice a day stopped symptoms, but of course I had to stay near a bathroom.
Also, the extra calories caused me to gain weight. When I stopped drinking juice, UTI symptoms reappeared and I had to take a course of Cipro. So, my advice is to realize that antibiotics are sometimes necessary. Cranberry pills and avoiding caffeine does help, though.
Kathy
I take a cranberry tablet (found at local pharmacies) every day. I am prone to UTI’s and the theory is that the cranberry make your urine more acidic. The bacteria in your bladder cannot stick to the sides of the bladder in an acidic environment and therefore is flushed out with urination. I have taken it for years and as long as I take it every day, I do not get a UTI. I have heard that vitamin C can give the same results.
Deborah A.
I am a 64y/o female who has had UTI’s in the past but not in recent years. 100% cranberry juice was always my go-to remedy. I would drink about 2oz every hour & within 24 hours the UTI would be gone. I have probably had about a half dozen UTI’s in my life, & I discovered cranberry juice early on…..I went to a doctor the first time for antibiotics (in my 20’s), but there after used pure cranberry juice.
D
Although cranberry may be effective, it also irritates the bladder for some, which is a problem in interstitial cystitis or chronic bladder infections.
Eddy P.
As a pharmacist, I advised my clients with periodically colibacillosis uniraire, of the myrtylle dye (vaccinum myrtillus), the cousin of Canadian cranberry, a spoon coffee morning and evening for five days. Remarkable efficiency. Really need to use an alcoholic extract but not the juice of the fresh fruit.