Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) are among the commonest of conditions, especially among women. These can become extremely uncomfortable, causing you to urinate frequently, develop soreness and itchiness or pain in the lower back, abdomen and hips. The problem is most sufferers choose home remedies to deal with these conditions. One of the most commonly believed myths about treating Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) is that drinking cranberry juice will cure it. However, cranberry extract can at best be a preventive measure against UTIs, it has no use once the infection has set in and cannot replace a visit to your doctor or proper medication. “The data on cranberry juice or its supplements is fairly inconsistent. Some studies have established its preventive potential but there is no scientific data yet about its use in therapy. There is a chemical compound, which is a part of cranberry extracts, called proanthocyanidins. This prevents the growth of E. coli, which is the most common UTI-causing bacteria. It prevents it from sticking to the urinary tract. So, this is a mechanism by which a cranberry extract can help in preventing UTIs. But if the infection has already happened, then you have to take an antibiotic to treat it,” says Dr Astha Dayal, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, CK Birla Hospital Gurugram. “But for people who get recurrent UTI, we advise cranberry extract or tablets so that a repeat infection is prevented. But do not have cranberry juice, which is very sweet. The sugar actually becomes a good medium for the bacteria to grow and multiply. Besides, it can also cause fungal infection. A juice will have similar levels of sugar as soft drink and is definitely not advisable for those with Type 2 diabetes. Studies have shown that for every sugar-sweetened drink you have per day, there is an 18 per cent increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Why go for this option then at all? Fresh cranberries are slightly better than juice. Also, if you have a UTI, then you must get a urine culture to identify the right strain of the bacteria. That will determine the kind of treatment to eliminate the bacteria,” she adds. “Cranberries are related to the family of blueberries. About 100 ml of unsweetened cranberry juice has 46 kcal, 9.3 mg Vitamin C and 12.1 gm sugar. Many studies have shown how it inhibits the growth of bacteria, making it a key preventive against chronic bacterial infection. Cranberries do not remove bacteria that are already stuck to these cells. Which is why it cannot treat such infections,” says Nidhi Sahai, Head, Dietetics, Max Hospital, Vaishali. Of course, there is an existing body of research to suggest that cranberry tablets and supplements may reduce the risk of UTIs in certain populations. One study involving 1,498 healthy women found that taking cranberry juice and supplements reduced the risk of their UTI recurrence by 26 per cent. Another review found that cranberry supplements may not even be as effective as a preventive among people who are at an increased risk of contracting UTIs. So, trust your doctor's guidance on this.
