Cranberry: Benefits of a Unique Natural Remedy

Cranberry, a colourful fruit that smells like delicious jam, has a prized therapeutic virtue as it is considered the best food for fighting urinary tract infections. A recent discovery? No, it goes back a long way.

In fact, popular wisdom has given cranberries their rightful place in our diet for their properties in preventing urinary tract infections. Cranberries have been used for these purposes for decades.

That’s why the cranberry or Vaccinium macrocarpon has become the undisputed protagonist of numerous studies. After all, we have also confirmed that cranberry works against urinary tract infections!

What are cranberries?

The cranberry is the fruit of the species Vaccinium macrocarpon aiton, belonging to the genus Vaccinium L., of the Ericaceae family, to be precise.

The plant from which it is extracted is a small perennial shrub, whose slow growth culminates when it reaches a height of between 10 and 20 cm. The plant is ‌native to the United Stat‌es.

It is known that the ancient Native Americans already used the cranberry as a food, as well as a natural remedy for various diseases and as a dye! The latter use, of course, is due to its deep red colour.

Originally, cranberries are sub-spherical, whitish berries that turn red and finally reach a bright pink or crimson colour once they are fully ripe. Their size is around 9-14 mm and their appearance is smooth.

One of the lesser-known uses of this superfood is as a colour and preservative in the food industry. On the other side of the coin, there are the famous cranberry supplements, in powder or capsules, which are more than beneficial for the body, as we will explain in this post.

Colourful benefits that your urinary tract will thank you for

Cranberries have the following benefits:

Both its interesting antioxidant content and its capacity to prevent urinary tract infections are the subject of increasing studies, given the high incidence of these pathologies among the population, especially among women.

Cranberry wins the battle against urinary infections

Cranberries, whether as a natural fruit, juice, capsules or tablets, have an incredible antiseptic and antibiotic effect against the germs that cause urinary tract infections. They mainly act against Escherichia coli, according to the results of several studies carried out to date.

According to data from the Spanish Urology Association, and more specifically from its multidisciplinary guide on cystitis, between 50 and 60% of women in the pre-menopausal period suffer from some type of urinary infection (90% of which are cystitis), with the peak incidence being between the ages of 18 and 39, coinciding with the age of greatest sexual activity.

Did you know that around 20% of women regularly suffer from cystitis and urinary tract infections? Well, that’s right, and its symptoms are some of the most unpleasant, such as a burning sensation and pain when urinating.

But what role do cranberries play in this scenario? They help prevent and alleviate urinary tract infections by preventing bacteria from sticking to the walls of the bladder. This is because these small fruits are rich in proanthocyanidins, a type of antioxidant flavonoid that promotes this.

Cranberry & Urinary tract, allies

Based on this hypothesis, several studies have attempted to confirm the role played by cranberry in the prevention of various bladder infections, such as cystitis, in the renal parenchyma (pyelonephritis) or in the prostate (acute or chronic bacterial prostatitis).

Moreover, a review of studies published by the prestigious Cochrane Foundation revealed that cranberry reduces the risk of recurrent cystitis by 35%. On the other hand, it does not appear to be able to release the bacteria already attached to these cells in the urinary tract.

If you’ve tried natural cranberry, you’ll agree with us that it is rather more acidic than other berries, so it is not usually taken on its own. Taking it in tablet form, as a dietary supplement, makes things much easier.

For people prone to chronic urinary tract infection, cranberry supplements are an excellent and safe natural alternative to traditional antibiotic treatment of urinary tract infection.

The richness in tannins of the American cranberry is one of the main characteristics that make it suitable for preventing and treating cystitis and urinary tract infection. The maximum production of this fruit is between May and June.

The cranberry has positive effects in the prevention and treatment of urinary tract and urinary tract infections. In addition, given its high vitamin content, it promotes health and general well-being, strengthening the immune system.

What are the effects of cranberry?

The cranberry is a fruit with an outstandingly high vitamin B2 content. Its components include tannin, which is extremely valuable in the treatment of urinary tract and urinary tract infections.

What are anthocyanins? They are the substances responsible for giving these berries their characteristic red colour. Another of the bioactive components to be highlighted in cranberries are proanthocyanidins (PAC), a type of flavonoid.

Tannins counteract the attack of bacteria, preventing them from being deposited and multiplying in the body. Cranberry promotes general health and, in particular, its use to prevent and treat urinary tract infections is “in crescendo”, both in Europe and the United States.

What are the properties of cranberries to prevent urinary tract infection?

We have just mentioned that among the components of cranberries are tannins, ingredients capable of inhibiting bacterial attack. Thus, tannins stop urinary tract infections and cystitis!

One of the most common causes of urinary tract infections is E.coli bacteria, which seek favourable conditions in the urinary mucosa to multiply and settle in the mucous membranes of the urinary tract.

For this reason, the active ingredients in cranberry are suitable for use as a treatment in conjunction with antibiotics, ensuring that bacteria do not proliferate in the urinary tract.

In addition, the tannins contained in cranberry have a high vitamin B2 content, which is very beneficial to health. They help the metabolism of carbohydrates and the conversion of fats into energy. Another effect of vitamin B2 is to inhibit inflammation of the mucous membranes.

Tips to avoid urine infections or cystitis

Learning how to prevent urinary tract infections or cystitis can save you from unpleasant episodes that may even limit your daily activities. Here’s how you can do it:

Urinate frequently

Although it sounds obvious, you should urinate every two to three hours at the most, so you don’t allow bacteria that tend to proliferate in urine to remain in the bladder. Besides, the mere expulsion of urine cleanses the urinary tract.

That is why experts recommend going to the toilet before and after sex, in order to encourage the passage of bacteria from the intestinal tract to the urinary tract.

Another ideal measure you can take for this purpose is to drink 1.5 litres of water a day to help increase your urge to urinate, flushing out bacteria adhering to the urinary tract.

Pay attention to intimate hygiene

Intimate hygiene can be counterproductive, by default, and by excess! Use soap only once a day and use specific products for intimate hygiene. Remember that the use of family shower gel contributes to altering the pH of the vaginal walls, facilitating the proliferation of bacteria.

Shower daily instead of bathing. Keep in mind that shower water flows constantly, carrying with it any bacteria from the bathtub. Along these lines, so-called “douching” is not recommended, since, against all odds, the direct entry of water into the vaginal cavity does not lead to better cleansing. However, it can lead to a change in the pH of the intimate area.

Avoid humidity and temperature changes

Wearing cotton underwear is another excellent way to avoid urine infections. Natural fabrics encourage perspiration and prevent dampness, a breeding ground for bacteria.

Avoid constipation

Although at first glance it may seem unrelated, constipation is also a cause of cystitis. The reason? It prevents the expulsion of bacteria and germs close to the bladder, which can colonise the urinary tract, leading to infection.

And take cranberry!

We have already told you about the benefits of cranberry for urinary tract infections, so without wishing to repeat ourselves, we invite you to buy the best cranberry extract supplements from HSN, where we only work with guaranteed quality products.

How to take cranberry supplements?

To get the full therapeutic effect of cranberry to prevent and treat urinary tract infections, which are more prevalent in women, you should take cranberry supplements or cranberry juice regularly.

Take a tablet, capsule or glass of cranberry juice every three to four hours and you will be providing your body with the vitamins and tannins it needs from cranberry.

Cranberry juice is often mixed with other juices, while jelly is often used as an accompaniment to savoury dishes. Some people even drink cranberry tea, also benefiting from its properties.

Experts indicate that cranberry products should be PAC-rated/standardised and contain a minimum of 100 mg of proanthocyanidins (PAC), substances that hinder the adhesion of bacteria to the epithelium of the urinary tract.

The White Paper developed by the Ibero-American Society of Neurology and Urogynaecology and the Spanish Society of Community Pharmacy states that cranberries should be taken for 30 days in a row to prevent E.coli bacteria from repopulating the urinary tract. In addition, the intake should be repeated at least three or more times a year.

Although, as we will see at the end of this post, cranberry intake is safe and does not usually have side effects (to the extent that it can be taken for prolonged periods with preventive effects), you should consult a doctor before starting to take it if you have any doubts.

In which cases is it indicated to take Vaccinium macrocarpon?

Cranberry nutritional supplements are recommended to:

The experts say…

Cranberries were not discovered yesterday. The health benefits of cranberries have been known to experts for centuries.

Foods that are often combined with cranberries are often enriched with sugar. Specialists recommend the use of cranberry supplements as a better alternative, as their effect is greater due to the format they offer with a higher concentration of ingredients. In addition, regular consumption stimulates the immune system.

Do these supplements have side effects and contraindications?

Have you made the decision to take cranberry and are worried about whether it is safe for your body? It is normal to feel this way when you start taking a new supplement.

In combination with other supplements or medications, there are no interactions either. On the other hand, consuming natural raw cranberry may cause stomach irritation, given its high acidity.

So much for everything we had prepared to tell you about the American cranberry, small in size and big in therapeutic properties. Now that you know, you can act accordingly!

Bibliographic sources:

• Sihra N, Goodman A, Zakri R, Sahai A, Malde S. Nonantibiotic prevention and management of recurrent urinary tract infection. Nat Rev Urol. 2018 Dec;15(12):750-776. doi: 10.1038/s41585-018-0106-x.
• Ranfaing J, Dunyach-Remy C, Lavigne JP, Sotto A. Propolis potentiates the effect of cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) in reducing the motility and the biofilm formation of uropathogenic Escherichia coli. PLoS One. 2018 Aug 23;13(8):e0202609. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0202609. eCollection 2018.
• Luczak T, Swanoski M. A Review of Cranberry Use for Preventing Urinary Tract Infections in Older Adults. Consult Pharm. 2018 Aug 1;33(8):450-453. doi: 10.4140/TCP.n.2018.450.