Cranberry products help prevent urinary tract infections
Cranberry products modestly reduce the risk of recurrent UTIs in some groups — mainly women with recurrent infections and children — but they do not treat an active infection.
AI review of the sources below, no human approval · Reviewed
This verdict was generated by AI from the papers listed on this page and published without human sign-off. AI can misread or miss studies — check the sources yourself. Not medical advice.
What the research says
A 2023 Cochrane review of 50 studies (almost 9,000 participants) found that cranberry juice and capsules reduced the number of repeat symptomatic UTIs in women with recurrent UTIs, in children, and in people at risk after medical interventions. The effect was not seen in older adults in care homes, pregnant women, or people with bladder-emptying problems. Cranberry is a prevention question, not a treatment: nothing in the literature supports using it instead of antibiotics for a symptomatic infection.
Caveats
- No effect demonstrated for treating an existing UTI — seek care for symptoms.
- Products vary widely in proanthocyanidin content, so results are hard to compare.
- Many trials were small, and drop-out rates were high.
Evidence
- Systematic reviewCochrane Database of Systematic Reviews·2023
Cranberries for preventing urinary tract infections
Reduced recurrent symptomatic UTIs in women with recurrent UTIs, children, and people after interventions on the urinary tract.
Read the source - GuidelineAmerican Urological Association·2022
Recurrent uncomplicated UTIs in women: AUA/CUA/SUFU guideline
Cranberry prophylaxis may be offered as a non-antibiotic option; evidence is limited.
Read the source
More in Supplements
This page summarises published research for general information. It is not medical advice — talk to a clinician about your own situation.