Cranberry juice is a popular home remedy to prevent and treat urinary tract infections. But does it really work?
We asked Dr. Samantha Raffee at Henry Ford Health. She’s a urogynecologist -- that’s a urologist that specializes in urinary and pelvic floor issues in women.
Raffee said it’s a myth that cranberry juice can eliminate a urinary tract infection once it’s taken hold, but cranberries do contain substances that are helpful in the prevention of a UTI.
Here’s the catch -- instead of drinking cranberry juice, which can contain a lot of sugar, Raffee recommends taking concentrated cranberry extract pills. Those are available at major retailers in the vitamin and supplement section.
If you’re prone to developing urinary tract infections, Raffee also suggested talking to your doctor about the benefits of taking another supplement called D-mannose.
D-mannose is a simple sugar that is naturally found in some fruits and vegetables. It’s also available in pill form as a supplement, and there is a growing body of research showing that it can help prevent bacteria from sticking to and invading the urinary tract.
D-mannose is also available at major retailers, alone or in combination with concentrated cranberry extract.
Raffee stressed, if you experience two or more urinary tract infections in six months or three or more in a year, you should see your doctor to determine why you’re experiencing recurrent infections. Some causes are correctable.