UTI not cured by cranberries, suggests a new study
A new study suggests that cranberries may not be effective against UTI infection.
A new study suggests that using cranberry juice to cure urinary tract infections (UTI) may not work.
Researchers at the University of Stirling in Scotland found in a review of 24 previous studies that cranberries may not protect against cystitis, a painful bladder infection that stems from a UTI.
"We can't see a particular need for more studies of the effect of cranberry juice, as the majority of existing studies indicate that the benefit is small at best, and the studies have high drop-out rates," said study author Ruth Jepson, according to CBS News.
"More studies of other cranberry products such as tablets and capsules may be justified, but only for women with recurrent UTIs, and only if these products contain the recommended amount of active ingredient."
More from GlobalPost: Multivitamin reduces cancer in older people, study suggests
The studies reviewed included nearly 5000 women who were prescribed various remedies for cystitis like cranberry juice, antibiotics and placebos.
The Daily Mail said some of the studies found that cranberry juice helped but only if drunk in mass quantities.
Researchers said that cranberry pills may warrant further study given their concentration of active ingredients.
The research was published in the Cochrane Library, a guide on healthcare decision-making for doctors.
The story you just read is accessible and free to all because thousands of listeners and readers contribute to our nonprofit newsroom. We go deep to bring you the human-centered international reporting that you know you can trust. To do this work and to do it well, we rely on the support of our listeners. If you appreciated our coverage this year, if there was a story that made you pause or a song that moved you, would you consider making a gift to sustain our work through 2024 and beyond?