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Cranberry Pills & Kidney Disease

The urinary tract includes the kidneys, bladder, ureters and urethra. Maintaining a healthy urinary tract prevents kidney disease by helping to ensure proper functioning of the kidneys. Cranberry pills are renowned for preventing infections of the urinary tract, and aid in the prevention of kidney disease.

  1. Prevention of Kidney Disease

    • One of the causes of kidney disease or eventual kidney failure is the spreading of a serious urinary tract infection. This infection can travel up the urinary tract into the kidneys, leading to serious complications, often irreparable and life threatening. Cranberry pills have proven to be effective in maintaining optimal urinary tract health, and contribute to healthy kidney function.

    How it Works

    • According to the Cranberry Institute, it is the presence of proanthocyanidins (PAC) that inhibit the adhesion of various bacteria, including E. coli, to the urinary tract. Cranberry pills contain cranberry extracts, supplying ample PAC along with all the antioxidant benefits of cranberries. The PAC in cranberry pills ensure proper kidney function through the maintenance of a healthy urinary tract. The PAC also prevent the formation of kidney stones.

    Pill vs. Juice

    • The recommended amount of cranberry juice for optimum kidney health ranges from 3 to 4 cups per day. Taking cranberry pills to ward off kidney disease is much easier. Depending on the manufacturer, one pill a day can be equal to up to 6 cups of cranberry juice. In addition, one serving of cranberry juice contains approximately 7g of sugar. Opting for pills in lieu of juice ensures a full dose of cranberries without the addition of sugars to your system.

    Battling E. Coli

    • E. Coli is a bacteria that causes various conditions, including urinary tract and kidney infections. The Worcester Polytechnic Institute released a study indicating that the compounds present in cranberry juice and pills actually alter the structure of E. Coli from rods to spheres, preventing attachment to cells.

    Prevention Rather than Treatment

    • Cranberry pills are more effective in preventing kidney disease rather than treating kidney disease. While studies are indicating that cranberry pills have an antibiotic effect on the urinary tract, they are less effective in reversing damage. To treat an existent infection, cranberry pills must be used in conjunction with antibiotics to help manage kidney disease.

    Study to the Contrary

    • The University of Alabama at Burmingham released a study on the effectiveness of cranberry pills on the urinary tracts of spinal cord injury patients. Their results, contrary to the results of other studies, indicated no difference in the amount of bacteria found in the urine between their control and treatment groups, thereby making cranberry pills ineffective in protecting against kidney disease.

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