Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are quite common and unfortunately, many women experience them. Drinking cranberry juice has long been a prevention method suggested by healthcare providers, however, until now, it was thought to be more of a fable than a fact. However, a new study published in Cochrane Reviews has shown that cranberry products can significantly decrease the incidence of repeat UTIs in women by more than a quarter.

The effects of the study are even better for children and those susceptible to UTIs following medical interventions with a projected reduction of 50% and 53% respectively. The global study undertaken by Flinders University, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead and The University of Sydney looked at 50 recent trials with almost 9000 people, indicating that cranberry juice is indeed a viable prevention method against UTIs.

Cranberry juice is not only an easy to access prevention method, but it is also harmless. Although it is true that most UTIs can be treated with common antibiotics, prevention is key in reducing the risk of sepsis in severe cases. Moreover, taking antibiotics extensively could potentially spawn strains of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which is why non-antibiotic forms of UTI prevention strategies are essential.

However, it is important to keep in mind that results from the study did not indicate any benefits for pregnant women, elderly people or people who have bladder-emptying problems. Also, further studies would be required to determine if cranberry products work better than antibiotics as a preventative method.

It is important to take all precautions seriously, especially if you suffer from recurrent UTIs, bladder issues from spinal cord injury or other medical conditions, and children who are particularly susceptible to urinary infection. To keep UTIs at bay, it is recommended to drink a glass of cranberry juice daily.

In conclusion, the recent scientific review shows that cranberry-based products can significantly decrease the risk of UTIs. It is an affordable and easy prevention method that can save patients both time and money. So, what are you waiting for? Add a splash of cranberry juice to your daily routine, and say goodbye to UTIs.

The information included in this article has been sourced from a peer-reviewed study published in Cochrane Reviews, conducted by researchers at Flinders University, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, and The University of Sydney. The study was funded by Flinders University and The Children’s Hospital at Westmead. The study authors, Gabrielle Williams, Deidre Hahn, Jacqueline Stephens, Jonathan Craig and Elisabeth Hodson, deserve appreciation for their valuable contribution to the medical field. The article also includes quotes from the researchers taken from the original media release by Flinders University.