Study Confirms Cranberries’ Role in Preventing UTIs

Cranberries are perhaps best known for the role their juice plays in the prevention of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women, particularly those with recurrent UTIs, but now results of a new study published by Archives of Internal Medicine reveal the use of cranberry-containing products is associated with prevention of infection in some individuals.

Researchers at the National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine reviewed available medical literature to re-evaluate cranberry-containing products for the prevention of UTI. They identified 13 trials, including 1,616 individuals, for qualitative analysis and 10 of these trials, including 1,494 individuals, were included in quantitative analysis. The random-effects pooled risk ratio for cranberry users versus nonusers was 0.62.

They found cranberry-containing products tend to be more effective in women with recurrent UTIs, female populations, children, cranberry juice drinkers, and people using cranberry-containing products more than twice daily.

Nutritionally speaking, good things come in sweet—and tart—little packages. Research is discovering berries pack a nutritional punch due to their vitamin, fiber and antioxidant content. Click here to find out more about berry nutrition.