What do cranberry pills do?
Cranberries are true champions of good nutrients. Cranberry pills and juices, for example, are rich in antioxidants and are excellent sources of vitamin C.
In addition, it has been discovered that cranberries can prevent bladder infections in people who frequently suffer from urinary tract infections. In this article, we will investigate this further.
How many nutrients are in cranberries?
One cup of raw cranberries offers the following nutrients:
- 46 calories
- 0.5 grams (g) protein
- 0.1 g fat
- 12 g carbohydrates
- 3.6 g fiber
- 4.3 g sugars
- 8 milligrams (mg) calcium
- 0.23 mg iron
- 80 mg potassium
- 2 mg sodium
A serving of cranberries also contains 14 mg of vitamin C. Additionally, they contain vitamin E, with 1.3 mg per serving.
What can cranberries do for bladder infections?
Cranberry pills are often said to help with bladder infections, which are common bacterial infections. Research shows there is some truth to this: they do seem to protect against recurrent bladder infections.
A meta-analysis published in December 2017 in the Journal of Nutrition with participants who had a history of urinary tract infections found that cranberries reduced the risk of recurrent infections by 26 percent.
More research is needed to understand the relationship between bladder infection and cranberry pills, but there is at least one theory. It is likely that compounds in cranberries help prevent bacteria from adhering to surfaces in the bladder.
As for the common belief that cranberry juice can cure a bladder infection, that is more fiction than fact. According to researchers, based on admittedly mixed research results, cranberry juices may work better as a preventive measure than as a treatment.
Cranberries may help prevent bladder infections.
There is also no evidence yet that cranberry capsules can effectively treat an already existing bladder infection, according to a review of past research. Antibiotics are the first and most appropriate treatment for most urinary tract infections.
Potentially healthier for longer with cranberries
A review published in Antioxidants found that the antioxidants in cranberries may have a positive effect on 17 types of cancer, including breast, lung, and cervical cancer, possibly due to their ability to slow the growth of cancer cells and remove them from the body.
The authors caution that more research is needed to confirm a causal link between cranberries and cancer prevention.
Reading tip: Best cranberry capsules for bladder infection
Improving heart health
Limited but growing research suggests that cranberries in the diet may have a positive effect on cardiometabolic health, including blood pressure and serum lipid profiles, according to a past review.
Cranberries may also positively influence cholesterol levels and were found to reduce cardiometabolic risk factors in a review published in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture in November 2020.
And a small randomized controlled trial published in Food & Function in March 2022 found that 9 grams of cranberry powder (equivalent to 100 grams of fresh cranberries) improved blood vessel function, an important marker of cardiovascular health.
Frequently asked questions about cranberries
Can you lose weight with cranberries?
While cranberries have potential health benefits and are part of a nutrient-rich diet, they have not been specifically linked to weight loss. Insufficient research has been conducted on the effects of cranberries in people looking to lose weight.
However, cranberries are low in calories, making them a good fit for a weight loss or management eating plan. But if we want data, we have to conclude that there is no evidence yet that they burn fat or stimulate weight loss.
How to recognize fresh cranberries?
You usually find cranberries in packages, but if you have the chance to pick your own, you can use a simple trick to ensure they're fresh.
A classic way people test the ripeness of cranberries is a bounce test. Ripe cranberries have small air pockets, causing them to bounce a bit rather than flatten completely.
Fresh cranberries can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a month or in the freezer for up to a year. Dried cranberries should be stored in a well-sealed package in the pantry and consumed before the expiration date on the package.
If you prefer juice over cranberry capsules, look for a juice with the least amount of added sugar. It's also smart to drink the juice with a meal or a hearty, balanced snack to slow down the blood sugar response.
How do you eat cranberries?
Most of the year, you'll encounter cranberries that have been precooked, canned, or processed into juice or tea. But they are more versatile than you think. Use them dried or fresh; sprinkle them over salads, make juice from them, or even eat them raw.
I personally like to throw a few cranberries into a bowl of oatmeal or yogurt, or make a simple relish. But be warned: raw cranberries have a rather pronounced tart and fresh taste. You might find that the raw fruit doesn't appeal to your taste buds at all.
Why more sugar in dried cranberries?
Cranberries lose water and volume when dried, and therefore dried cranberries contain more calories and sugar than fresh cranberries. Keep this in mind when determining your portion size, especially if you are following an eating plan to help you manage your diabetes or lose weight.
You can buy oral capsules with concentrated cranberry extract at many drugstores, so you may still be able to benefit from some of the health advantages, even if you are not a fan of the taste. A past study suggested that people who took cranberry extract for 12 weeks had recurrent urinary tract infections less often.
Cranberry capsules may be associated with other digestive benefits, heart health, brain health, and dental health. Many of these benefits are attributed to the high antioxidant content of cranberries.
Cranberry side effects
Generally, there are no major cranberry side effects to be aware of, but they can sometimes lead to stomach upset and diarrhea if eaten in large quantities, especially by young children.
Cranberry pills are also not recommended if you are taking blood-thinning medications, such as warfarin.
A study published in Nutrients in 2021 found that cranberry interfered with participants' ability to process warfarin, potentially making the medication more potent. This could increase the risk of bleeding.
Possible diarrhea with large amounts of cranberry.
Some people believe that cranberries cause kidney stones. This idea stems from the fact that cranberries contain molecules called oxalates that sometimes stick together and form a kidney stone, according to the National Kidney Foundation. In reality, however, cranberries do not seem to be to blame here.
Finally, cranberries are also safe for dogs in small quantities, although your dog is likely not to like them.
Conclusion: cranberries are good for bladder infections
Cranberry capsules, pills, and juices are associated with many potential health benefits, especially preventing bladder infections and keeping cholesterol levels in check, as well as promoting a healthy heart.
There are no serious side effects, although stomach upset may occur if you consume cranberries in large quantities.
Sources
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3370320/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7436188/
- https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0256992
- https://www.cochrane.org/CD001321/RENAL_cranberries-preventing-urinary-tract-infections
- https://www.phc.ox.ac.uk/news/blog/cranberry-for-acute-urinary-tract-infection-2013-an-old-wives2019-tale-or-mother-nature2019s-cure-1