Cranberry Juice & UTI: Separating Facts from Myths

Zara had always been a firm believer in natural remedies. Whenever she scraped her knee, she would apply some haldi, and she would eat some tulsi regularly so she wouldn't catch a common cold. So, when she felt a weird feeling in her stomach, she remembered her trusty family remedy: cranberry juice!

Her grandmother had always sworn by it, and a quick internet search seemed only to confirm her beliefs. Every morning, Zara would wake up and drink a glass of cold cranberry juice even before brushing her teeth (disgusting, we know, right?), hoping to flush out the bacteria. But it didn't work! The pain only kept getting worse.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common bacterial infections, especially among women. In fact, one in every five women will suffer from UTI at least once in their lifetimes. UTIs occur when bacteria, often Escherichia coli (E. coli), enter the urinary tract via the urethra and begin to party and multiply in the bladder. Even though your body does have the army to ward off these bacteria, just like Manchester United's backline, defences fail, and this can lead to infections.

If you always have the sensation to take a piss, a burning sensation while you eventually do, pelvic pain, and cloudy or strong-smelling urine, take note! You might have a UTI! Many types of UTIs affect different parts of your urinary tract. While lower UTIs, such as cystitis (which affects the bladder) and urethritis (which affects the urethra), are more common and usually less severe, upper UTIs that affect the kidneys can be serious, and we suggest you consult your doctor as soon as possible.

Cranberry juice has been the cult remedy for all UTIs for decades. This tart red juice is believed to prevent and cure these diseases.

So, how did this belief even come about?

Cranberries contain compounds called proanthocyanidins, which people believe can prevent bacteria from sticking to the walls of our urinary tract and making their home there. Thus, by preventing this, cranberry juice can easily flush out bacteria from our bodies.

This belief has spread so far that I'm sure you would have heard it from your family, friends, or maybe even some health websites. But not Kofuku! We're here to bust the cranberry juice UTI myth!

There have been several studies to see if cranberry juice can prevent or even cure UTIs. Some studies have been done to prove bacteria's resistance to cranberry juice. While some early studies have somewhat hinted at a possible benefit, more recent and rigorous research has cast doubt on these findings.

A systematic review and meta-analysis published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews in 2012 analyzed data from 24 studies involving over 4000 people worldwide. Now, talk about comprehensive. The study confirmed that cranberry juice had a similar effect on preventing and curing UTIs as placebos and no treatment. This study lasted a year as well and cemented the myth.

There are many more studies before and after this that have thwarted this myth, too.

Even though there isn't robust scientific evidence, there is a wide belief that cranberry juice is a strong defense against UTIs. Let's check out why!

Anecdotal Evidence:

Just like Zara's grandmother, many people look to older people for advice, and their personal stories are intense. Why else would we look at reviews before trying out a new restaurant?

Placebo Effect:

Because of anecdotes, if someone believes that cranberry juice will help them, it might just give them some relief. Talk about the power of manifestation!

Natural Remedy Appeal:

Many of us genuinely believe in home remedies' supremacy and put off going to the doctor until our sickness gets really bad. Don't get us wrong—home remedies are great! But they aren't 100% effective, and sometimes, it's just better to visit your doctor.

Marketing and Media:

Many health and wellness companies portray cranberry juice as the holy drink that can cure all, just like many companies promote biotin as the main man to fight hair loss. Labels and ads can often exacerbate the truth and reinforce our beliefs.

While cranberry juice may not be the magic solution for UTIs, there are some evidence-based solutions for preventing and treating these painful infections:

Hydration: Remember to drink lots of water every day! It helps dilute your urine, and it makes you go to the bathroom a lot, flushing the bacteria out of your system and giving you a lot of breaks!

Practice Hygiene: Wiping from front to back after using the toilet will help reduce the spread of bacteria from the anal area to the urethra. Urinating after you do the deed (yes, we're talking about S-E-X) can also flush out any bacteria that may have entered you as you got freaky!

Probiotics: Some studies have shown that drinking probiotics can help.) create a fun environment for good bacteria in the urinary tract. So, get that curd and Yakult!

Antibiotics: If you get UTIs frequently, consult your doctor as soon as you can. They will prescribe you antibiotics to prevent you from being so easily susceptible! Usually, prophylactic (preventive) antibiotics are prescribed, and you'll have to take them regularly.

Medical Evaluation: If you feel like the antibiotics aren't helping you that well, speak to your doctor and get some tests done. There could be some underlying issue, and the earlier you spot it, the sooner you can return to peak health!

Now we hope we've cracked the cranberry juice UTI myth! Cranberry juice is delicious and has many health benefits, but unfortunately, there is still no conclusive proof that it solves UTIs.

While cranberry juice does have benefits, it cannot be solely relied on to prevent UTIs. Instead, choose proven strategies and treatments that can help fight against these bacteria! So, the next time you hear about a too-good-to-be-true health cure, take a moment to check the science behind it – your body will thank you.