Women have long drunk cranberry juice to help fight urinary tract infections (UTI) and the latest review from the Cochrane Collaboration supports the treatment's use.
Lead reviewer Ruth Jepson, a senior research fellow at the University of Stirling, said that UTIs, which can cause pain during urination and may lead to bladder and kidney infections, are a common problem.
"UTIs can be distressing, and people often take a self-care approach rather than seeking professional advice," she noted.
The reviewers analysed ten studies involving 1,049 women of all ages and found that those who consumed cranberry products had significantly fewer UTIs over a 12-month period.
Cranberries contain organic substances that act as antibacterial agents and help to eliminate bacteria from the bladder.
Although the mechanism by which they prevent UTIs is unclear, some experts believe that molecules in the juice make it harder for bacteria to stick to surfaces.
Women have long drunk cranberry juice to help fight urinary tract infections (UTI) and the latest review from the Cochrane Collaboration supports the treatment's use.
