Question

I have heard that by drinking plenty of cranberry juice one can eliminate or lower the pain and/or irritation of a urinary tract infection? Is this true?

Answer

In a recent letter to the New England Journal of Medicine, researchers revealed that cranberries prevent urinary tract infection because they contain specific compounds that make it difficult for the most common infecting organism, E. coli, to stick to the bladder and urinary tract walls. One of the compounds is fructose, which is present in all fruits, but the other compound - a polymer - is found only in cranberry and blueberry juices.

If you have a urinary tract infection that is not causing fever or great distress, a trial of cranberry juice (1-2 cups a day) is quite justified. Otherwise, visit your doctor for appropriate care, as recurrent urinary tract infections can, rarely, have severe consequences.

Links

• Cranberry for Urinary Infection
• HeliosHealth.com