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Dried Cranberry For UTI: Pros, Cons, & How to Use.

Dried Cranberry For UTI: Pros, Cons, & How to Use.

Our content is not intended nor recommended as a substitute for medical advice by your doctor. Use for informational purposes only.

Quick Insights:

  • Dried cranberries may effectively prevent recurrent UTIs, although the evidence is not as strong as for pills or juice.
  • The pros of using dried cranberries include high fiber content, high nutritional value, and high sugar content.
  • The cons of dried cranberries are their high sugar content,
  • The typical dose is one serving daily (half a cup of dried cranberries) and can be taken as a snack or added to other recipes.
  • Consult your doctor for the optimal duration of use.

[1] Are dried cranberries as effective as juice and pills?

In 2013, Dr. Alexandra E Burleigh and her esteemed colleagues from the University of Wisconsin, USA, conducted a small clinical trial to determine whether dried cranberries could help prevent recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women.

This research team conducted a study to explore the potential benefits of consuming dried cranberries and their impact on UTI prevention.

The results of the trial showed that the women who consumed dried cranberries were less likely to experience recurrence of UTIs within six months—the duration of the study—than those who did not.

This finding suggests that dried cranberries may be an effective tool in helping to protect women from recurrent UTIs.

Conclusion:

Dried cranberries may protect you from recurrent UTIs. However, there is no sufficient research evidence about its efficacy compared to cranberry juice or pills.

[2] Pros and cons of dried cranberries for UTI.

The most widely used forms of cranberries are pills (caplets, softgels, or cheweables) and juice. You can also use dried cranberries but beware of their high sugar content.

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For dried cranberries to work for UTI, you should take a fixed amount every day at the same time. There are pros and cons to using the dried form of cranberries for UTIs.

PROS:

  • High in fiber (good for digestion and bowel movements).
  • It can be used in various ways (eaten whole or added to other recipes).
  • Cholesterol and fat-free.
  • High nutritional value.

CONS:

  • High sugar content (weight gain and high blood sugar).
  • Higher incidence of side effects (gastrointestinal side effects such as abdominal discomfort, heartburn, etc)
  • Less convenient than pills.
  • Less studied than pills and juice.

[3] How much “dried cranberries” should you take for UTI?

The typical dose of dried cranberries is one serving (half a cup or 40 grams) taken daily. The dose can be taken as is (as a snack) or as a part of a cranberry-containing recipe.

Ask your doctor about the optimal duration of daily dried cranberries. Typically, your doctor advises taking cranberries for long durations (months or even years).

[4] How to use dried cranberries for UTI?

Here are seven ways you can use dried cranberries for UTI (one serving or half a cup daily):

  • Eat them as a snack (for example, Craisins® Original Dried cranberries). Ready-to-use dried cranberries are easy to carry and store.a
  • Add them to your salads: Dried cranberries can be added to different salads to give them a delicious flavor and fight the
  • Add them to your oatmeal: Dried cranberries can be added to your morning oatmeal for a delicious and nutritious breakfast.
  • Make a cranberry smoothie: Add dried cranberries to your favorite smoothie recipe for a delicious and healthy drink.
  • Make a cranberry sauce: Dried cranberries can make a delicious cranberry sauce for your favorite dishes.
  • Make cranberry chutney: Dried cranberries can make a delicious and tangy chutney.
  • Sprinkle them over your cereals and yogurt. Dried cranberries can be sprinkled over your cereals and yogurt for a delicious and nutritious snack.
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You can switch between different dried cranberry preparations while maintaining the dose of 40 grams (half a cup) daily (every day). Sticking to cranberrries every day will help your urinary tract fight further UTIs.

[5] Efficacy of Cranberry for UTI.

Cranberry has been used for urinary tract infections for years. However, recent advances in research concluded that cranberry products don’t cure UTIs.

However, they may play a role in preventing recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs). Your doctor may advise you to take cranberries for long periods if you have recurrent cystitis (UTI).

The efficacy of cranberry in preventing future UTIs are even questionable. Scientific trials show some efficacy of cranberry products in preventing.

FDA conclusion about cranberries for UTI:

The FDA’s conclusion about cranberry use for UTI: “Consuming 500 mg daily of cranberry dietary supplement may help reduce the risk of recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI) in healthy women. FDA has concluded that there is limited scientific evidence supporting this claim.” (reference).

UpToDate.com conclusions (another credible medical resource):

Uptodate.com (one of the largest resources for medical practice trusted by thousands of doctors doesn’t routinely recommend Cranberry products to prevent recurrent cystitis in women (reference).

https://doctor-explains.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/cranberry-efficacy-for-preventing-recurrent-UTI.jpg

My conclusions:

You should give it a try. Although the scientific evidence could be stronger, you may benefit from such a supplement.

In medical practice, cranberry pills and juice is widely used and advised. It is generally a safe and tolerable product. And many clinical studies showed that it might protect women with recurrent UTI (cystitis).

[6] Conclusion.

So, should you take dried cranberries for UTI?

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Based on the available evidence, dried cranberries may help reduce the risk of recurrent UTIs. However, the evidence is not as strong as pills or juice, and there is no sufficient research regarding its efficacy compared to these other forms.

It is important to consult your doctor before taking dried cranberries for UTI. The doctor might advise you to take it for a certain duration.

It is also important to be aware of the high sugar content of dried cranberries. To minimize the risk of weight gain and high blood sugar, you should take the recommended dose (one serving per day) and regularly monitor your blood sugar levels.

  • Evidence-based
  • Written by a doctor.

MD, Internal Medicine and Nephrology specialist.
Dr. Esraa A. Magid
Dr. Esraa A. MagidAuthor

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