...By Judah Olanisebee for TDPel Media.
New research shows that cranberry juice can help reduce the risk of repeated urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women by over a quarter and for children by more than half.
The study also reveals that cranberry juice can reduce the risk of a repeat infection by 53% for those susceptible to UTIs and who have had medical intervention.
The fruit, however, did not offer any benefits for elderly people, pregnant women, or people with bladder emptying problems.
Cranberry juice and cranberry healthcare supplements have been promoted as a readily available solution to prevent infection for a long time.
However, in a 2012 review, evidence from 24 trials showed that the cranberry products did not work in fighting UTIs.
The study published in the journal Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews reviews 50 more recent trials that include almost 9,000 participants.
The research shows that cranberry products can help prevent UTIs in some women, thus debunking previous findings.
The majority of studies compared cranberry products with a placebo or with no treatment at all.
Drinking cranberry juice or taking capsules reduced the number of UTIs women and children who were susceptible to them had.
The team suggests that more information is needed, such as the effectiveness of cranberry products compared with antibiotics or probiotics in preventing further UTIs.
UTIs can be caused by sexual activity, poor hygiene, changes in the bacteria that live inside the vagina, and previous UTIs.
Age can also play a part, with older adults and young children being more susceptible.
Symptoms can include a need to pee more often than usual, pain in the lower tummy, pain when peeing, and a feeling of achiness and fatigue.
Without treatment, UTIs can persist and even move to the kidneys and cause more complications, including sepsis.
While the research points to the positives of cranberries, the team emphasizes the need for more information.
They suggest that cranberry juice can be a harmless and easy option for preventing UTIs, as most UTIs are quickly and effectively treated with antibiotics.
