UTI Overview
Cranberry Juice Helps to Prevent Urinary Infections in Women
Studies have shown that drinking cranberry juice is a useful home remedy for preventing and treating UTIs in women. Organic elements of cranberries such as quinic acid and citric acid act as antibacterial agents to help eliminate bacteria from the bladder.
Urinary tract infections can be quite painful. Women may feel like they need to urinate frequently, have a burning pain while urinating and may even see blood in the urine. Medical treatment is not always helpful, so drinking cranberry juice can serve as an effective home remedy for preventing bacteria from adhering to the walls of the bladder so that infections aren’t as likely to occur.
The exact dosage of cranberry juice hasn’t yet been set, and the sour taste may keep many women from taking it. Fortunately, effective concentrated cranberry capsules or tablets are now available. The following steps are recommended by health care professionals for preventing Urinary Tract Infections:
- Drink seven ounces of cranberry juice daily. Remember to buy 100% cranberry juice, not cranberry juice drinks or cocktails containing little cranberry juice and plenty of sugar.
- If you prefer, you can take cranberry juice tablets. Be sure to follow the instructions on the label.
- Drink much water. Subsequent frequent urination will flush the urethra frequently and remove the bacteria.
- Wipe your genital area from front to back after a bowel movement or urination. This will help keep bacteria from the vagina and anus away from your urethra.
- Take showers instead of baths.
While research supports that cranberry juice prevents urinary tract infections in women, it may not be true for men or children. Women should consult their doctors if they are taking medications because drinking large amounts of cranberry juice may interact with some medications such as anticoagulants. Regular drinking of cranberry juice seems to reduce the recurrence of urinary tract infections in women.