Cranberries have long been the focus of interest for their beneficial effects in preventing urinary tract infections (UTIs). Cranberries contain 2 compounds with antiadherence properties that prevent fimbriatedEscherichia coli from adhering to uroepithelial cells in the urinary tract. Approximately 1 dozen clinical trials have been performed testing the effects of cranberries on the urinary tract. However, these trials suffer from a number of limitations. Most importantly, the trials have used a wide variety of cranberry products, such as cranberry juice concentrate, cranberry juice cocktail, and cranberry capsules, and they have used different dosing regimens. Further research is required to clarify unanswered questions regarding the role of cranberries in protecting against UTI in general and in women with anatomical abnormalities in particular.
In women with recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs), long-term antimicrobial prophylaxis is indicated [1]. This method is effective but can cause adverse reactions and can increase emergence of antimicrobial resistance [2, 3]. Therefore, the need for alternative therapies for UTI prophylaxis is evident. Cranberries are one nonantibiotic alternative.