60% of women suffer from urinary tract infections
The share of women suffering from urinary tract infections is 5 times greater than the share of men.
Signs of inflammation are a frequent need to urinate and burn while urinating.
In women, urinary tract infection is caused by the penetration of bacteria into the bladder.
In men, the inflammation is mainly caused by an enlargement of the prostate gland that does not allow a proper emptying of the bladder. As a result, the bacteria remain in the bladder for a long time, reproduce there and cause infection and inflammation.
Another cause of urinary tract infections is the weakness of the body's natural immune system and a low level of white blood cells whose job is to kill the bacteria.
Increased drinking helps in reducing the risk of urinary tract infections by flushing out bacteria through urination.
Drinking unsweetened cranberry juice as well as drinking cranberry or blueberry tea, raises the level of acidity in the urine. The bacteria cannot survive in an acidic environment and so they are destroyed and the inflammation is treated and disappears.
Other herbs that raise the level of urinary acidity and kill bacteria are blueberry leaves and raspberry leaves.
Untreated urinary tract infection can become complicated and damage the kidneys and therefore the inflammation should not be neglected. It can be treated initially with herbs like cranberries and blueberries that can help treat inflammation and prevent recurrent infections. It is recommended to consult with a healthcare provider and in some cases, especially if the inflammation is severe and does not pass away, to add antibiotic treatment.
Cranberries for the treatment of urinary tract infections: Scientific Studies
Urinary tract infection is one of the most common bacterial infections. It can occur in both women and men of all ages, but it is especially common in women. And most patients will suffer from recurrent infections. Urinary tract infection can be a nuisance and cause great discomfort, and if left untreated, it can even cause severe health damages with far-reaching consequences.
There are several common ways to treat urinary tract infections, one of which is taking cranberries. The use of cranberries for many decades as a traditional medicine has gained momentum and has become extremely widespread around the world. In recent years, clinical studies have been published that have examined the extent to which cranberry treatment actually works in cases of urinary tract infection.
One of these studies performed a meta-analysis that examined the effectiveness of cranberries in the prevention and treatment of urinary tract infections. Meta-analysis is a statistical analysis that collects data from several previous independent studies and analyzes them together in an integrative manner. This analysis allows to draw broader, more valid conclusions from the results, since they do not depend on the specific place, time, or other conditions that were unique to a single study.
In a study published in the journal Archives of internal medicine, the researchers analyzed, among other things, data from ten different experiments that included a total of 1494 subjects. The researchers first classified the study population into two main groups: the treatment group that included 794 subjects who were treated with cranberries, and the control group that included 700 participants who received a placebo only.
The findings of the study showed that cranberry treatment statistically significantly reduces the risk of developing urinary tract infection by 38%. Cranberry-containing products were also found to be more effective in women, especially in women with recurrent urinary tract infections, as well as in children. In addition, based on laboratory tests in a sterile environment, the researchers concluded that regular consumption of cranberries more than twice a day reduces the risk of recurrence of inflammation.
Bibliography
[1] Wang, C.H., Fang, C.C., Chen, N.C., Liu, S.S.H., Yu, P.H., Wu, T.Y., Chen, W.T., Lee, C.C. and Chen, S.C., 2012. Cranberry-containing products for prevention of urinary tract infections in susceptible populations: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Archives of internal medicine, 172(13), pp.988-996.
The stated above does not constitute a medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider with any question or concerns you have on your medical condition.
Liu, Y., Gallardo-Moreno, A.M., Pinzon-Arango, P.A., Reynolds, Y., Rodriguez, G., and T.A. Camesano. Cranberry changes the physicochemical surface properties of E. coli and their adhesion with uroepithelial cells. Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces. 2008, 65:35-42.
Role of Phytoestrogens on Menstrual Cycle Symptoms. M. Bryant, et al. 5th International Symposium on the Role of Soy in Preventing and Treating Chronic Disease, Sept. 21-24th, 2003. Orlando, FL.
Cancer. 2002 Feb 15;94(4):1166-74. The specific role of isoflavones on estrogen metabolism in premenopausal women. Kumar NB,et al.
Xu X, Duncan AM, Merz BE, Kurzer MS, Effects of soy isoflavones on estrogen and phytoestrogen metabolism in premenopausal women. Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers Prev 1998 Dec;7(12):1101-8.
Pinzón-Arango, P.A. Liu, Y., and T.A. Camesano. Role of cranberry on bacterial adhesion forces and implications for E. coli-uroepithelial cell interactions. Journal of Medicinal Food, 2009, 12:259-270.
The stated above does not constitute a medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider with any question or concerns you have on your medical condition.
