Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) has been used as both food and medicine for centuries. It is native to North America and was used by Native Americans to treat bladder and kidney diseases. Early settlers from England learned to use the berry both raw and cooked for many conditions, including appetite loss, stomach problems, blood disorders, and scurvy caused by not getting enough vitamin C.

Cranberry is best known for preventing urinary tract infections (UTIs), commonly caused by bacteria known as Escherichia coli (E. coli). At first doctors thought cranberry worked by making urine acidic enough to kill the bacteria. Now, studies show that cranberry may prevent bacteria from attaching to the walls of the urinary tract. Good scientific studies support using cranberry either in capsules or as juice, for preventing, though not treating, UTIs.

Found primarily in North America and grown in bogs, cranberry is an evergreen shrub related to blueberry, buckberry, huckleberry, and bilberry. The cranberry bush has upright branches with leaves that are speckled underneath by tiny dots. Pink flowers blossom and red-black fruits appear during June and July.

Cranberry fruit is high in antioxidants, partly from substances called proanthocyanidins, which give cranberries their vibrant color. Antioxidants neutralize particles in the body known as free radicals, which damage DNA and are thought to contribute to heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and other conditions.

Cranberries are also an excellent source of vitamin C, another important antioxidant. Scientists are researching to see if the antioxidants in cranberries will help protect against heart disease and cancer.

The ripe fruit of the cranberry is the part used as food and medicine.

Urinary tract infections

Several studies indicate that cranberry helps prevent UTIs of the bladder and urethra (the tube that drains urine from the bladder), especially for women who have frequent UTIs. In one study of older women, cranberry juice reduced the amount of bacteria in the bladder compared to placebo. Another study showed that younger women with a history of frequent UTIs who took cranberry capsules had fewer UTIs compared to those who took placebo.

However, studies suggest that cranberry does not work once you have a UTI. That is because it helps keep bacteria from attaching to the urinary tract. But it is less effective once the bacteria have already attached. That is why cranberry is better at preventing UTIs than treating them. UTIs should be treated with conventional antibiotics.

Ulcers

Two studies showed that cranberry may also prevent the bacteria Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) from attaching to stomach walls. H. pylori can cause stomach ulcers. So cranberries may play a role in preventing stomach ulcers. More research is needed to be sure cranberry helps.

Other uses

Scientists are still studying cranberry for the following conditions. More research is needed.

Cancer: Some test tube and animal studies suggest cranberry may help stop cancer cells from growing.

High cholesterol: One preliminary study found that drinking cranberry juice raised HDL (good) cholesterol levels.

Viruses: Cranberry seems to fight some viruses in test tubes. Studies in people are needed.

Bacterial illnesses: Cranberry has been shown to inhibit common forms of bacteria, such as Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Listeria monocytogenes.

You can get cranberries fresh or frozen, and in juice and concentrate forms. Dried berries are also available as tablets or capsules. Pure cranberry juice is very sour, so most juices contain a mixture of cranberries, vitamin C, and sweeteners, which may make the juice less healthy. Look for a brand of cranberry juice that has the lowest amount of added sugar or is sugar-free.

Pediatric

Cranberry juice is considered safe for children to drink. However, there is not enough evidence to say what would be a safe dose for children who tend to get UTIs. A child with a UTI should be seen by a doctor.

DO NOT give children cranberry supplements.

Adult

• Juice: Studies have used 3 or more fluid oz. of pure juice per day, or about 10 oz. of cranberry juice cocktail, for preventing UTIs. Ask your doctor about the right dose for you.
• Fresh or frozen cranberries: 1.5 oz.

The use of herbs is a time-honored approach to strengthening the body and treating disease. Herbs, however, can trigger side effects and can interact with other herbs, supplements, or medications. For these reasons, herbs should be taken with care, under the supervision of a health care provider.

Cranberry juice as a beverage (in normal amounts) is generally considered safe to drink with no serious side effects, even for pregnant women. Cranberry supplements are considered safe for most people, although pregnant and breastfeeding women should ask their doctor before taking any supplement, including cranberry.

Cranberry has relatively high levels of oxalate, chemicals that may raise the risk of kidney stones in some people. If you have kidney stones, talk to your doctor before taking cranberry supplements or drinking a lot of cranberry juice.

DO NOT use cranberry if you already have a UTI. You should see a doctor for prescription antibiotics.

Most cranberry juice has added sugar. People who have diabetes should look for brands that are artificially sweetened or should be careful how much sweetened juice they drink.

People who are allergic to aspirin may also be allergic to cranberry.

Warfarin (Coumadin): Cranberry may raise the risk of bleeding, especially if you already take medications to thin the blood such as warfarin. It increases the amount of time that warfarin stays in your body. The evidence is mixed and not completely clear, so it is best to ask your doctor before you take cranberry or drink a lot of juice.

Aspirin: Like aspirin, cranberries contain salicylic acid. If you take aspirin regularly, as a blood-thinner, for example, or if you are allergic to aspirin, you should not take cranberry supplements or drink a lot of juice.

Other medications: Cranberry may interact with medications that are broken down by the liver. To be safe, if you take any medications, ask your doctor before taking cranberry.

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