Could a refreshingly tart little berry beat back bladder infections better than conventional antibiotics?

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) afflict millions of women annually, often requiring repeat antibiotic courses that can disrupt healthy gut flora.¹ But new research shows cranberry extracts could provide a natural UTI remedy, matching antibiotics' effectiveness in a recent clinical trial.²

The study divided 170 UTI patients into groups receiving either concentrated cranberry tablets or the antibiotic fosfomycin. After one week, cranberry users reported even greater symptom relief and well-being versus the antibiotic group.³ 

Cranberries contain antioxidant compounds called proanthocyanidins (PACs). By preventing E. coli bacteria from sticking to the bladder wall, PACs may treat UTIs without killing good gut microbes.⁴

Study co-author Dr. Oya Güven said, "Cranberry matched standard UTI antibiotics for eradicating infection, while potentially avoiding antibiotic resistance issues with safer side effect profiles."

Indeed, recurrent antibiotic exposure can breed dangerous "superbug" infections resistant to treatment.⁵ But cranberries' non-antimicrobial actions could circumvent this threat. 

Still, larger studies should continue investigating optimal cranberry dosing and forms. In the meantime, patients battling repeat UTIs may discover cranberry supplements offer a refreshing, natural way to reclaim urinary health.

For additional research on cranberry's potential role in combatting infections, view our focused research page on that topic here.

View our database on natural approaches to urinary tract infections here. 

References

1. Butler CC, Hawking MK, Quigley A, McNulty CA. Incidence, severity, help seeking, and management of uncomplicated urinary tract infection: a population-based survey. Br J Gen Pract. 2015;65(639):e702-e707. doi:10.3399/bjgp15X686965

2. Güven O, Sayılan S, Tataroğlu Ö, Hökenek NM, Vural Keleş D. Antibiotic versus cranberry in the treatment of uncomplicated urinary infection: a randomized controlled trial. Rev Assoc Med Bras (1992). 2024;70(1):e20230799. doi:10.1590/1806-9282.20230799 

3. Güven et al. 2024

4. Howell AB, Reed JD, Krueger CG, Winterbottom R, Cunningham DG, Leahy M. A-type cranberry proanthocyanidins and uropathogenic bacterial anti-adhesion activity. Phytochemistry. 2005;66(18):2281-2291. doi:10.1016/j.phytochem.2005.05.022 

5. Teker B, Sever N, Garashova D. Yaş ve cinsiyetin üriner sistem enfeksiyonu etkeni Escherichia coli kökenlerindeki antibiyotik direncine etkisi. Online Turk Saglik Bilim Derg. 2021;6(2):300-309.