Cranberries for UTI Prevention

A new study shows that taking cranberry supplements may help fend off urinary tract infections.

Researchers recruited 10 postmenopausal women (ages 46 to 60) who had developed more than three episodes of urinary tract infection in the previous year (or more than two episodes in the past six months). For six months, study members took cranberry supplements daily. Results showed that the supplements were effective in the prevention of urinary tract infection.

Cranberry contains compounds called proanthocyanins, which appear to protect against urinary tract infections by stopping bacteria from sticking to the walls of the urinary tract. The second most common infection after respiratory infection, urinary tract infections may cause a frequent urge to urinate and a painful feeling when urinating (among other symptoms).

In past studies, cranberry has also been found to help prevent peptic ulcer disease and gum disease.

Cranberries for UTI Prevention originally appeared on About.com Alternative Medicine on Thursday, December 17th, 2009 at 06:00:28.