What Is in Cranberry Juice for UTI?

Cranberry juice is a popular home remedy for urinary tract infections (UTIs). It may be effective for preventing UTIs not because it increases urine's acidity, as was once believed, but because it helps prevent bacteria from sticking to the walls of the urinary tract.

Acidity

• People used to believe that cranberry juice helped treat UTIs because it increased the acidity of urine, killing bacteria. This has been debunked by a number of studies, including a 2006 study by scientists at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

Proanthocyanidin

• Cranberry juice contains proanthocyanidins, a form of tannins. These substances prevent E. coli (a major cause of UTIs) from sticking to the walls of the urinary tract by changing the bacteria's shape, according to the 2006 study at WPI.

Fructose

• According to a 2004 study published by Raz et al. in Clinical Infectious Diseases, the fructose in cranberries may also play a role in preventing E. coli from adhering to the urinary tract.

Prevention

• Cranberry juice can help prevent UTIs and may be part of a treatment regimen for people with chronic UTIs. It does not, however, cure existing UTIs, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.

Alternate Methods

• Cranberry tablets are another way to get the proanthocyanidins in cranberries without drinking cranberry juice. These helpful substances are also present in blueberries.