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In addition to the excellent taste, cranberry juice has a very positive health effect. Cranberry-based preparations are becoming more and more popular in Poland, mainly in the context of drugs and supplements for the urinary tract. Is it really possible to cure a disease with this inconspicuous plant…?
Treatment of urinary tract infections is not the easiest – medicine does not have many means that could help it. These types of infections are very troublesome, often causing pain, burning and considerable discomfort. Usually, the treatment is based mainly on the administration of an antibiotic, but very often it happens that the bacteria present in the urinary tract simply become resistant to the drug. Then the probability of recurrence is quite high.
A frequent and recurring problem
Cystitis and other types of urinary tract infections are a common ailment. It usually affects women, mainly those who lead a sexual life and are between 20 and 50 years old. The main symptom of infection is frequent urination accompanied by pain. According to statistics, even from 20 to 50% of women have suffered from this type of disease at least once in their lives.
Cranberry, a quick and traditional remedy for the urinary tract
How does cranberry affect problems with urination? Until recently, it was believed that its power lies in acidifying the urine, but thanks to more detailed research, we know that the mechanism of action of this plant has a different basis. Its composition includes proanthocyanidins, flavonoids and anthocyanins that prevent infections. They ‘stick’ to certain Escherichia coli bacteria and prevent them from spreading in the bladder cells. In this way, bacteria, having no point of attachment, are removed from the body.
Cranberry has been used for years as a medicine against urinary tract infections, e.g. in United States. Its effect is best mainly in prevention – it has been proven on the basis of research that regular consumption of cranberry juice reduces the risk of urinary tract diseases by as much as 20 to 60%. It depends on the doses we take. What’s more, cranberry juice also provides effective protection against antibiotic-resistant microorganisms, which is why its effectiveness is often put almost on par with antibiotic treatment. If we do not like the juice, all supplements and tablets based on this plant have an equally good effect.
Another advantage of this method is the speed of action – cranberry affects the urinary tract as early as 2 hours after consumption, and its effect can persist in the body for up to 10 hours. Therefore, it is recommended to consume one dose of cranberries in the morning and another in the evening.