Why does cranberry juice prevent bladder infections?

Cranberries are great for bladder and kidney health.

One word: proanthocyanidin. Try saying that three times fast.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common and can be uncomfortable and painful. If they’re not treated, they can even lead to kidney infections. There is some evidence, ranging from old wives tales to scientific studies, to suggest that cranberry juice may help to prevent UTIs. We know it works because it’s been proven for generations. Now we also know why it works because of chemical assays.

Cranberry juice contains compounds called proanthocyanidins, which help prevent bacteria from sticking to the walls of the urinary tract. This can help to prevent bacteria from multiplying and causing an infection. Instead of clinging to the walls of our bladders and tracts, it gets rinsed away more easily. For people (like me) who have double-kidneys or who are predisposed to bladder infections, this can literally be a life-saver.

What is a UTI?

A UTI (Urinary Tract Infection) is a bacterial infection that affects the urinary tract. It can cause symptoms such as burning during urination, frequent urination, and abdominal pain. They’re no fun and, in fact, if you get them quite often, your nerve endings can deaden and it can be more difficult to detect them.

UTIs are common among women and can be caused by a variety of factors, including poor hygiene and sexual activity. That doesn’t mean everyone who gets a UTI isn’t taking proper care of themselves. UTIs are more common in the summertime when bacteria more readily multiply. They can be caused by certain soaps, bubble baths, and skin irritants (like chlorine in swimming pools).

How does cranberry juice help prevent UTIs?

Cranberry juice has long been known for its ability to prevent bladder infections and other urinary tract health issues. Studies have shown that regular consumption of cranberry juice can help reduce the risk of UTI (urinary tract infection) by up to 40%. The active ingredient in cranberry juice, proanthocyanidins, helps to prevent bacteria from sticking to the walls of the urinary tract, thus preventing infection. Not only does this active ingredient inhibit the ability of bacteria to stick to the walls of the bladder and urinary tract, but cranberry juice is also rich in antioxidants which can help boost your immune system and reduce inflammation. Fortunately, cranberry juice doesn’t cause destructive influences on tract linings. It’s not like we’re burning off the bacteria. Instead, these proanthocyanidins prevent bacteria from sticking by modifying the bacterial, themselves.

Specifically, e. coli, one of the most prevalent forms of bladder-infection-causing bacteria, lose the ability to adhere in the presence of this active ingredient. What I find particularly interesting is that this same bacteria is also found in the other digestive tract and cranberry juice doesn’t do a thing about modifying the adhering properties in that one.

However, not all studies have found that cranberry juice is effective at preventing UTIs. One study found that cranberry juice was no more effective than a placebo at preventing UTIs. Even a placebo, though, is going to be more fluids through your system. Certainly, though, drinking cranberry juice isn’t going to hurt your UT health.

Why is UTI prevention especially important for people with double-kidneys?

A double kidney is a congenital condition in which a single kidney is divided into two parts. This can happen when two ureters develop from the same ureteric bud. The two ureters may join together before they enter the bladder, or they may enter the bladder separately.

Double kidneys are very common, affecting about 1 in 50 people. They are more common in women than in men. Most people with double kidneys have no symptoms and do not need treatment. I mean, it’s like having a spare kidney. In some cases, however, double kidneys can cause problems, such as urinary tract infections, kidney stones, or high blood pressure. At the very least, it can predispose people who get bladder infections to more readily succumb to kidney infections since there’s a third pipeline for bacteria to travel by.

Here are some additional tips for preventing and reducing the severity of UTIs:

• Drink plenty of fluids, especially water.

• Avoid using bubble baths and feminine hygiene products.

• Wear cotton underwear and loose-fitting clothing.

• See your doctor if you have any symptoms of a UTI, such as pain or burning when you urinate, frequent urination, or cloudy or bloody urine.