Dr Michelle Dickinson: nanotechnologist on whether cranberry juice helps treat UTIs

The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common bacterial infections. Over 50 percent of females and 20 percent of males suffer from at least one episode throughout their lifetime, and in children this is the most common bacterial infection.

New research out this week has found that the old wives tale of drinking cranberry juice to help get rid of the infection might actually have some truth to it, and could be part of the solution to fighting against antibiotic resistance.

The research published in the journal European Urology Focus carried out a review of 20 different studies that looked at 3091 participants.

The participants were given different amounts of cranberry, ranging from drinking 300ml of cranberry juice daily, taking cranberry tablets daily or taking a cranberry concentrate over several days. Whichever form they were taking their cranberry in, they were still ingesting proanthocyanins (PACs) which are the active ingredients in cranberry that are associated with its UTI fighting benefits. Proanthocyanins are known to inhibit the adhesion of bacteria, particularly Escherichia coli to the urinary tract walls.

The researchers found that while taking antibiotics resulted in a high immediate cure rate, repeatedly taking these treatments increases the risk of antimicrobial resistance. Some studies have already shown that 90 percent of UTI’s exhibit bacteria that is drug resistant, with most being resistant to two or more antibiotics.

The cranberry juice treatment resulted in a 54 percent lower rate of UTI’s compared to those who didn’t drink cranberry juice. Cranberry juice drinkers also had a 49 percent lower rate of antibiotic use, suggesting cranberry products might help to reduce the need for antibiotics when treating UTI’s.

The patients also reported feeling more relief from their symptoms.

So if you want to add one healthy item to your diet this week – it seems like cranberries might be a good pick.

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