Cranberry Juice & UTI

Health Benefits of Pure Cranberry Juice

2007-08-22T05:27:00.000-07:00

In recent times, researchers have been concentrating on the effects of natural forms of therapy on certain diseases. This is because natural therapies are considered more economical and typically result in fewer side effects. A common focus of these researches is the use of pure cranberry juice in various illnesses.

Organic cranberry juice is a good source of vitamin A, vitamin C, fiber and potassium. Aside from these, cranberry juice also has other components, such as tannins and flavonoids, which also have practical health benefits.

One of the more popular health uses of cranberry juice is in the treatment of urinary tract infections (UTI). Cranberry juice has been shown to prevent the development of UTI by decreasing the ability of the E. coli bacteria to stick to the lining of the urinary tract.

In the same way, pure cranberry juice can also prevent the development of ulcers, cellulite formation and acid reflux disease. It inhibits the adhesion of H. pylori bacteria in the stomach, which is responsible for the development of gastric ulcers, duodenal ulcers and gastric cancer.

Cranberry juice has also been noted to produce benefits on the cardiovascular system. A low level of HDL cholesterol, the body’s good cholesterol, is a risk factor in the development of heart disease. Studies have shown that cranberry juice contains antioxidants, which can increase HDL cholesterol, thus lowering the risk for the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases.

Animal studies have also shown that the antioxidants in cranberry juice can decrease the growth and prevent metastasis of certain cancers. However, more research is necessary to evaluate the efficacy of cranberry juice in human cancer patients.

Cranberry juice has also been shown to provide additional health benefits, such as preventing dental plaque, gum disease and kidney stone formation. Preliminary studies have also shown that cranberry juice has anti-viral and anti-fungal properties; however, more studies are needed to assess the efficacy of this treatment in humans.

So what are you waiting for? Start taking cranberry juice today!

Cranberry Juice and Urinary Tract Infections

2007-08-22T05:25:00.000-07:00

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a bacterial infection, usually with the bacteria E. coli, affecting any part of a person’s urinary tract. A patient with UTI typically experiences painful and frequent urination. There could also be note of cloudy or bloody urine and lower back pain. UTI occurs in about 7 million people yearly in the United States alone. It is more prevalent in females than in males. The development of UTI is associated with a person’s sex, poor bowel habits, sexual activity, pregnancy, urinary stones and other urinary tract diseases.

Intake of cranberry juice has been proven to result in a decreased incidence of urinary tract infections, as seen in numerous clinical studies. Randomized controlled trials in young women revealed that cranberry juice or tablets can significantly reduce the incidence of UTI in these patients, compared to a placebo. Studies have also been done on elderly women in nursing homes and in children, also with favorable results.

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse discover that compounds found in cranberry extracts dilate blood vessels in rats, thereby reducing their blood pressure.

source: cranberryinstitute

How does cranberry juice prevent UTI? Research has shown that cranberry juice significantly reduces the ability of different strains of E. coli to adhere to bladder cells. A recent study in France revealed that the more cranberry juice a patient drinks, the less likely that the E. coli bacteria can adhere to the bladder cells. However, it is still unclear what the optimal dosage or mode of administration of cranberry products should be to be able to effectively prevent UTI; thus, additional research regarding these should be undertaken.

Although generally safe, the use of cranberry juice has been reported to be associated with severe bleeding. Researches have revealed that cranberry juice may have interactions with the anticoagulant warfarin. Patients taking cranberry juice should be informed of the possible side effects.

Cranberry Juice Diet

2007-08-22T05:22:00.000-07:00

There are two methods used to employ a cranberry juice diet: one simply involves the incorporation of a certain amount of cranberry juice in your daily diet, while the other involves not eating or drinking anything but cranberry juice for a certain length of time.

Integrating cranberry juice in your diet can provide you with various health benefits, such as protection from urinary tract infection, heart disease and cancer. There is no specific recommended amount of cranberry juice that you should intake. However, generally, 1-3 glasses (500 mL) of unsweetened cranberry juice in the diet daily have been suggested. Taking 10-25 ounces of cranberry juice cocktail daily have also been shown by certain studies to significantly reduce the amount of bacteria in the urine compared to placebo and to increase the levels of HDL cholesterol, the “good” cholesterol, in the body. You may also opt to consume a single 400 mg capsule of concentrated cranberry juice extract twice a day. Cranberry tincture may likewise be used, approximately ½-1 teaspoon thrice a day. For children, drinking half the requirements for adults is usually sufficient.

Some people opt to undergo purely cranberry juice fasting, wherein only cranberry juice and water are taken for 1-3 days. This is usually done as a form of detoxification. In most people, taking cranberry juice results in no side effects. However, drinking too much juice, such as what you might do when doing a purely cranberry juice diet, can result in headache, low blood sugar levels, diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating and bowel changes. Excessive and chronic intake of cranberry juice while abstaining from other necessary food groups can result in obesity, nutrient deficiencies and the development of dental cavities. If you experience any of these side effects, stop the diet immediately. Before starting any kind of cranberry juice diet, it is best to consult your doctor. Some medications and diseases may interact with cranberry juice and result in adverse effects.

Up to now, there is still a need to determine the optimal amount of cranberry juice needed in the diet to produce the necessary health benefits. It is also essential to establish the limits in the amount of cranberry juice that may be taken daily, so as to prevent the development of adverse reactions.

As long as the recommended dosages of cranberry juice are taken, a cranberry juice diet is a safe, effective method of taking care of one’s health and preventing a myriad of diseases. So why not start a cranberry diet today?

Cranberry Juice Products

2007-08-22T05:20:00.000-07:00

Cranberries are small fruit-bearing shrubs producing red berries. It is quite popular knowledge that cranberries can promote health by preventing urinary tract infections, tooth decay, cardiovascular diseases, and other chronic illnesses.

It is thus a good idea to get an overview of the different kinds of cranberry products available in the market, such as cranberry sauce and cranberry juice. Specifically, cranberry juice is being integrated into the diet to deliver its purported health benefits.

There are different kinds of cranberry juice available, with different efficacies. There are concentrated cranberry juice extracts made into tablets or capsules, cranberry tincture, cranberry juice cocktails, and unsweetened cranberry juice. Of these, unsweetened cranberry juice is the most potent and beneficial.

Cranberry juice contains flavonoids, citric acid and anthocyanins. These compounds produce the positive effects of cranberry juice in the body. Specifically, unsweetened cranberry juice is rich in these compounds. Compared to other fruit juices, unsweetened cranberry juice was also noted to contain 50% more of antioxidants, which help prevent heart disease and cancer. However, since cranberry juice contains different kinds of acids, the unsweetened product tastes extremely sour. This may make it hard to consume for most people. Some individuals prefer to dilute the pure juice with water in a ratio of 4:1 or add another kind of fruit juice to the mixture, such as apple juice.

The alternative would be to use the sweetened cranberry juice. However, these juices have mostly been diluted and sweeteners added. The sweetened cranberry juice contains only about 30% of the pure juice. Thus, you would need more of the sweetened cranberry juice for it to achieve the same effects as the pure juice.

Another alternative would be to drink cranberry tablet or capsules. Based on the Cochrane review, one randomized, controlled trial revealed that there was no significant difference between the effects of pure cranberry juice compared to that of cranberry capsules in the prevention of urinary tract infections.

However, remember that drinking too much juice can result in side effects, such as diarrhea and abdominal pain. Taking 1-3 glasses of the pure, unsweetened cranberry juice daily is enough to provide you with the all the essential benefits of cranberries.

Privacy Policy

2007-08-21T12:42:00.000-07:00

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