Cranberry Juice and UTI

Cranberry is known to treat diarrhea, scurvy and urinary tract infections. Its effectiveness in treating urinary tract infection is scientifically proven. Urinary tract infections are caused by bacteria. The most common causative bacteria are E.coli, Streptococcus, Enterobacter, Klebsiella, and Proteus species. They grow and multiply in number in the bladder to cause bladder or urinary tract infections. Click on causes of bladder infections to know the various reasons behind it. The best method to cure urinary tract infections is to kill or inactivate the pathogenic bacteria. Cranberry does it in a number of ways. The most important among them are mentioned here.

How Does Cranberry Juice Cure UTI?

Increases Acidity of Urine: Because of the presence of citric acid in cranberries, they are acidic in nature. When eaten in the required amount, cranberries increase the acidity of the blood after digestion. This, in turn, raises the level of hippuric acid in urine, which finally results in increase in the acidity of urine. Bacteria, especially E.coli, need an alkaline environment for growth and development. They find it impossible to survive under acidic conditions. With the increase in the acidity of urine, bacteria present in the bladder are not able to stick to the walls of the bladder. Since the bacteria, that cause UTI, do not survive in the bladder, they are not able to cause the infection. This is one way cranberry prevents and cures urinary tract infections.

Modifies Bacterial Cells: There is a compound present in cranberries that is highly dangerous for bacteria. This is called proanthocyanidins. It creates tendrils or fimbrae on the cell membranes of bacteria. This results in condensation of the bacterial cells. They lose a steady hold within their bodies. Finally, causing urinary tract infections becomes almost impossible for them. Proanthocyanidins also convert the bacterial cells from gram-negative to gram-positive ones. This is another way how cranberry juice and UTI are found to be related.

Interrupts Communication Among Bacterial Cells: Bacterial cells communicate among themselves through a process called quorum sensing. They secrete a chemical known as indole that facilitates reception of cellular signals by cell membranes. Cranberry inhibits the secretion of indole, making it impossible for bacteria to cause an infection.

Creates an Energy Barrier Between Bacteria and Urinary Tract: It is said that proanthocyanidins create an energy barrier between the bacterial cells and the urinary tract of your body. The actual reason is not yet known. This prohibits the bacteria from attaching to the walls of urinary tract. Again, due to this reason, the bacteria are not able to cause urinary tract infections.

Cranberry Juice and UTI

• You can either drink pure cranberry juice or a juice containing a mixture of fruits including cranberry. In the latter case, make sure that the juice consists of at least 30% cranberry.
• Drink 3-4 glasses (9 oz) of cranberry juice on a daily basis. Do it for a couple of months so as to bring effective interruption of proanthocyanidins in bacterial communication.
• You should drink plenty of water as well. This will help the body flush out toxins through urine and perspiration.

Drinking cranberry juice on a regular basis for a few months not only treats urinary tract infections but also prevents its occurrence in the future. Click on Cranberry Juice Benefits and Cranberry Juice Detox for more information.