As the old saying goes, “An apple a day can keep the doctor away.” Well, in the case of a urologist, a glass of cranberry juice a day might keep this particular specialist away. Urology experts have found that Inland Empire patients who make it a priority to drink cranberry juice on a regular basis are known to experience less urinary tract infections.
Rancho Mirage women, especially, will find that cranberries are an excellent UTI prevention method. There is no particular recommendation for how much cranberry juice a patient should drink in order to maximize the effectiveness of this method, so moderation, as with anything, is probably the best policy.
What are the Benefits of Drinking Cranberry Juice to Prevent UTIs?
- Studies have found that women who were prone to UTIs and drank cranberry juice on a regular basis were 20 percent less likely to have UTIs form in the future.
- Another study found that both cranberry juice and cranberry tablets can help prevent women from contracting a UTI.
- Research shows that older adults who enjoy cranberry products had less white blood cells and bacteria present in their urine. White blood cells and bacteria in the urine are a telltale sign of an impending or current UTI.
What are the Cons of Drinking Cranberry Juice to Prevent UTIs?
- While there has been some research that shows that this method can help prevent UTIs in some people, it has not been proven to work for all types of patients.
- It is important to recognize that cranberry juice might be a prevention method, but it is not a treatment method for UTIs.
- Cranberry juice may be beneficial for the urinary tract, but it has other side effects that people should be aware of. For instance, it can cause nausea and diarrhea in some patients.
- Other ingredients in cranberry juice should be noted. For instance, this juice has a high amount of salts and can lead to the formation of urinary stones, especially in patients who have a history of these types of stones.
- The costs of this prevention method can add up for patients who attempt it on a regular basis. For one year, cranberry juice can cost nearly $1,400, and cranberry supplements or tablets may cost about $624.
- All patients who are interested in this prevention method should discuss it with their doctor in order to make sure it’s right for them. Patients on blood-thinning medications may want to avoid this option.
Cranberry juice is known for being sweet and tart at the same time, and it is a highly acidic juice. The amount of acid in cranberry juice helps to prevent bacteria from forming in the urinary tract, which can prevent infections.
Inland Empire patients who are prone to UTIs should make it a point to meet with their urologist in order to determine if cranberry juice might benefit them. In addition, the doctor may have other suggestions and recommendations in order to help treat UTIs and prevent them from occurring the next time.
