Cranberry juice prevents urinary tract infections by preventing the bacteria that cause them from sticking to the substrate, US scientists said at the 240th National Meeting of the American Chemists Union (ACS).
It has been known for many years that cranberry juice – an old folk remedy for the bladder – actually helps prevent urinary tract infections – this has been confirmed in numerous specialized clinical studies.
According to statistics, this type of infection affects more than 8 million people annually, and their treatment requires significant funds. Urinary tract infections are caused by bacteria and can affect any part of the urinary tract, from the kidneys to the urethra. Women suffer most often (as many as 1 in 3 women), but only half of them use medical help for mild symptoms such as burning or frequent urination.
Dr. Camesano and a team from Worcester Polytechnic Institute studied E.coli bacteria, i.e. colon rods collected from the urine of healthy people before and after drinking cranberry juice. Participants drank a cocktail made of cranberry juice, water and sweeteners – the most popular type of cranberry drink. Researchers studied the ability of E.coli to stick to the substrate and to each other and form a biofilm, a very thin layer that provides bacteria with a living environment.
The authors of the study found that cranberry juice prevents E. coli bacteria from sticking to each other and to the plastic culture dish. Normally, E. coli bacteria adhere to cells and each other and form a biofilm which enables them to grow and multiply and therefore the development of infection. Bacteria that are not attached are easier to rinse and remove from the urinary tract. The results of the research show that the beneficial substances contained in cranberry juice reach the urinary tract and prevent the attachment of bacteria within 8 hours after drinking the juice.
Despite the promising research results, the authors advise visiting doctors in the event of severe urinary tract infections, as these types of infections can develop rapidly and, if left untreated with antibiotics, can pose a serious risk, especially for children and the elderly and the chronically ill. (PAP)