• Vitamins & Supplements
  • Food & Drink
  • Sports Nutrition
  • Free From
  • Natural Beauty
  • Weight Management
  • Offers
  • Summer Shop
  • The Health Hub
  • Learn more Healthbox
  • Account
Track your order Delivery & Returns Help Centre My subscriptions

Customer Service

  • Contact us
  • Site map
  • Site map
  • Store locator

About us

  • Who are we
  • Working at Holland & Barrett
  • Press releases
  • Privacy & cookie policy
  • Terms & conditions
  • Holland & Barrett More
  • Holland & Barrett International
  • Corporate Social Responsibility
  • Modern Slavery Statement

Connect with us

Store
0370 606 6606
My account
Rewards
  • Sign in
  • How do I join?
  • What are the benefits?
  • FAQs
Holland & Barrett :: the good life
  • Menu
  • Account
  • Store
  • Basket
    Search for
    • Vitamins & Supplements
    • Food & Drink
    • Sports Nutrition
    • Free From
    • Natural Beauty
    • Weight Management
    • Offers
    • The Health Hub
    • Healthbox

    Home / Conditions / Womens Health / Urinary Tract Infections / Cranberry – your secret weapon against UTIs

    Bowl of cranberries
    Bowl of cranberries

    Cranberry – your secret weapon against UTIs

    More than 50% of women will develop a UTI (urinary tract infection) at some point: they’re 10 times more common in women than men, and are a recurring problem for 1 in 5 of us. Antibiotics are frequently prescribed to prevent and treat them. However, experts warn that antibiotic resistance could cause UTIs to become untreatable. We’re increasingly turning to natural alternatives, but do they work?

    What is a UTI?

    A UTI occurs when bacteria enter the urinary tract and begin to multiply, resulting in frequent urges to urinate and burning pain on urination. Other symptoms include lower abdominal aches and pains, cloudy urine and blood in the urine. Most urinary infections begin when bacteria found in the intestinal tract (typically E. coli) finds its way into the urethra. In some cases, infection progresses to the bladder (causing cystitis), or the kidneys.

    Cranberry extract

    Certain compounds found in cranberries can change the structure of certain bacteria, making it more difficult for them to stick to the walls of the urinary system – and easier for the body to flush them out. A review of 13 studies concluded that people who use cranberry products daily are 38% less likely to develop a UTI. Capsules seem to be more effective than supermarket juice drinks.

    D-mannose

    D-mannose is a naturally occurring sugar found in cranberries. It ‘sticks’ to E. coli bacteria, forming a coating which, in turn, prevents them from sticking to the walls of the urinary organs.

    Vitamin C

    Cranberries are a rich source of Vitamin C which may support the prevention and treatment of UTIs by making the urine more acidic. This encourages the formation of nitrogen oxides, which are toxic to a variety of microorganisms, including E. coli. Vitamin C supplements have been found to reduce the risk of developing a UTI during pregnancy. Pregnant women are more prone to UTIs because the weight of the uterus and the hormone progesterone slow the drainage of urine, giving bacteria more time to multiply.

    Handpicked content: 3 surprising reasons you really need vitamin C

    Shop our Food & Drink range.

    Advice is for information only and should not replace medical care. Please consult a doctor or healthcare professional before trying any remedies.

    Sources

    https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods/cranberries#section3
    https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/1213845
    https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/04/28/d-mannose-uti-prevention.aspx
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17611821/
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11730365/

    Tweet
    Follow on Instagram
    Urinary Tract Infections UTI

    You may also like

    Cranberry tablets benefits

    Article

    Cranberry tablets benefits

    There’s an old rumour about cranberries – that if you’re ever suffering from a urinary..

    READ MORE...
    Your guide to UTIs

    Article

    Your guide to UTIs

    If you’ve never had a UTI – congratulations. But if you’re constantly picking them up..

    READ MORE...
    Six easy ways to avoid UTIs

    Article

    Six easy ways to avoid UTIs

    Half of all women will experience a urinary tract infection at some point, but you..

    READ MORE...

    Connect with us

    • Log in Register
    • rewards for life

    Customer service

    • Store locator
    • Contact us
    • Site feedback
    • Frequently asked questions
    • Delivery & returns
    • Site map
    • My account

    About us

    • Who we are
    • Working at Holland & Barrett
    • Press room
    • Privacy & cookie policy
    • Terms & conditions
    • Holland & Barrett More
    • Holland & Barrett International

    Brands

    • Holland & Barrett
    • Bootea
    • Dr Organic
    • Precision Engineered
    • Manuka Doctor
    • Good n Natural
    • Miaroma
    Register
    Click to verify if this website is operating legally

    Copyright © Holland & Barrett Retail Limited, 2017. All rights reserved. hollandandbarrett.com is a trading name of Holland & Barrett Retail Limited,. Registered office: Samuel Ryder House, Barling Way, Nuneaton, Warwickshire CV10 7RH. Registered in England: company no. 2758955. Registered VAT no. 211727395.