A new systematic review found the evidence that cranberry juice or supplement can reduce recurrence of urinary tract infection. This is great news! This has been theorized for years, and I’ve heard many different opinions on the practice. In my own clinic over the years, I saw significant benefit over and over again, especially with older women who suffered recurring infection. So, despite many colleagues and urologists telling me “there’s no evidence” behind the practice, I did it anyway because of the following reasons:

• It was working
• I never saw a side effect that was negative
• It is a natural food substance
• It is an inexpensive, over the counter option
• I wanted to reduce antibiotic use for these folks

Given that I was not breaking any convention to DO NO HARM, I suggested that patients use it regularly. I am therefore very excited to hear that my intuition was right! So if you suffer from UTI over and over again, consider taking cranberry (with the caveat below as a warning***). It will probably not hurt you, unless you have a very rare allergy to the food product, and it may help you.

By the way, cranberry may also help with preservation of memory and neurofunction. The compound groups known as flavonoids, anthocyanins, and proanthocyanidins are likely the responsible chemical agents for this effect, and these are prevalent in berries in general. Cranberries have been specifically studied with a positive result showing benefit.

So it’s nice to have some positive news about an easy preventative treatment!

For more information on the study about urinary infection, reported in Medscape, use the link: https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/its-juice-cranberries-uti-prevention-2024a1000ei4?ecd=WNL_mdpls_240809_mscpedit_imed_etid6734524&uac=120504SR&spon=18&impID=6734524

For more information about brain function and cranberry: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9160193/

*** Always discuss with your primary care provider before making changes to your medication and supplement regimen! My advice is general and not specific to your particular situation. Have a great discussion about these studies with your PCP!