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Cranberry juice does not prevent cystitis, says research
October 18, 2012
Cranberry juice, tablets and capsules are not as effective as previously thought.
Cranberries have been found not to prevent urinary tract and bladder infections, such as cystitis.
Any benefit, if at all, is likely to be small and only for women who suffer from recurring urinary tract infections (UTI), according to researchers at the University of Stirling.
The fruit has been used to prevent UTIs for decades, however it is not clear exactly how it does so.
One theory states that flavanol compounds and specific sugars in cranberries stop bacteria from sticking to cells lining the walls of the urinary tract.
Dr Ruth Jepson and her team from the university collected evidence from 24 studies involving 4,473 people.
Those in control groups were given placebo cranberry products, water, methenamine hippurate, antibiotics, lactobacillus or nothing, while people in treatment groups were given cranberry tablets, capsules or juice.
"The results suggest that cranberry juice is even less effective at preventing UTIs than was shown in our previous research," said the doctor.
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