UTI's and cranberry juice

August 31, 2001

For your information:

Ora

August 31, 2001

NUTRITION NEWS FOCUS

Today's Topic: Cranberry Juice and Urinary Tract Infections

Although many people have heard that cranberry juice can help prevent

urinary tract infections, there is disagreement among researchers. A

study in the June 30, 2001 edition of the British Medical Journal

addressed this by providing 150 Finnish women who had already had a

urinary tract infection with 50 ml (2 ounces) of cranberry-lingonberry

juice concentrate, 100 ml of a drink containing Lactobacillus GG, a

bacterial strain that is thought to promote a variety of healthful

effects, or no treatment. About a third of women who have had a

urinary tract infection will experience another within one year.

The study was designed to last one year, but the drinks were no longer

made after 6 months. Nevertheless, only one in four women drinking

the cranberry juice had recurrent infections, while almost half the

controls did. The Lactobacillus group had a small, but not

statistically significant, reduction in infection rate.

HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: While this one

study will not be considered definitive, it strongly suggests that

self treatment with cranberry juice may reduce the need for

antibiotics for recurrent urinary tract infections. Years ago, people

thought that cranberry juice acidified the urine to inhibit growth of

bacteria, but this is not the case. It contains phytochemicals that

prevent bacteria from attaching to the lining of the bladder.

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