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Cranberry Juice Vs. Cranberry Tablets for Urinary Health

Urinary health is an important issue for everyone. Women are more prone than men to suffer from a urinary tract infection (UTI). Many women and men seek relief by drinking cranberry juice or taking cranberry tablets.

  1. What Is a UTI?

    • A UTI occurs when harmful bacteria, usually E. coli, make their way up the urethra and into the bladder. The harmful bacteria cause inflammation of the urinary tract. This includes the urethra, bladder, ureter (the tubes connecting the bladder with the kidneys) and the kidneys.

    Symptoms of a UTI

    • Common symptoms include a burning sensation when you urinate, the urge to urinate frequently, abdominal pain, nausea and fever.

    How Do Cranberries Help?

    • Cranberries help to balance the pH of your bladder. This corrects the acid/alkaline balance, which helps to limit the growth of the harmful bacteria. Taken as a preventive measure, it is thought that cranberry makes the lining of the bladder slick, preventing the harmful bacteria from taking hold and causing an infection.

    University of British Columbia Study

    • A study at the University of British Columbia, Canada, has shown that cranberry juice and cranberry tablets are effective ways to maintain urinary tract health. They also found that juice was slightly superior to tablets.

    Which Is Better, Juice or Tablets?

    • For maintaining urinary tract health, tablets are a cost-effective and convenient choice. They are a good choice if you don't like the taste of cranberry juice but want its benefits. For relief of symptoms, cranberry juice has been found to be more effective. If you like the taste, juice is the preferable option. But if you find the juice to be unpleasant, tablets are still a viable choice for maintaining your urinary tract health.

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