An article about the effect of Cranberry’ consumption for treatment of the Urinary Tract Infection’s (UTIs) was published, in the magazine ‘La Phytothérapie Européenne’ (Nov.-Dec. 2018), by Arkopharma Laboratoires in collaboration with Biofortis Mérieux NutriSciences. It reviewed the literature and discussed this promising therapeutical approach.
Urinary Tract Infections constitute the most common bacterial infections encountered in adults, particularly for women. Even though antibiotics are still considered as the better treatment to cure UTI, they can induce an alteration of the gut microbiota and vaginal flora, and they can increase bacterial resistance to antibiotics. Alternatives treatments are necessary such as the consumption of cranberries (Vaccinium macrocarpon). This article reports the recent literature supporting the benefice of cranberry consumption to cure uncomplicated UTIs, explains the mechanisms of action and it discussed the results from several clinical studies and meta-analysis (2011-2017).
One of the active ingredients of the cranberry are the proanthocyanins (PAC), more specifically the PAC type A, that are able to stop Escherichia coli adhesion to the urothelium (the epithelium that lines most structures of the urinary tract). The PAC limits the adhesion of the bacterial pili to the epithelium.
Those last years, several studies demonstrated that the cranberry can be used as a treatment in the case of uncomplicated UTI. They also showed that they were no increase in bacteria resistance risk following this natural treatment. It means that cranberry can be used as a long-term treatment. Most of the studies also showed an important decrease in symptom and an improvement in the quality of life of the women.
Although the authors conclude that the results from several studies definitively support the use of the cranberry for the treatment of UTIs, they stress that it would be necessary to confirm the data through double-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trials. The number of subjects included in the study should be statistically defined.
For more detailed on this topic and the clinical studies mentioned in this article, you are welcome to request this article or contact us to talk with our experts, at biofortis-contact@biofortis.com