For years, cranberries have been a go-to natural remedy for urinary tract infections (UTIs), praised for their preventive potential—especially among women prone to recurrence. But despite their popularity, many health professionals have remained cautious. Are the benefits truly real, or more tradition than truth?
Now, a major new update of the Cochrane Review—widely regarded as the highest standard in evidence-based medicine—has provided a definitive answer: cranberries work.
Strong Scientific Backing
In this 2023 Cochrane update, researchers reviewed 50 studies involving more than 8,800 participants, comparing cranberry products with placebo, no treatment, antibiotics, and probiotics. The findings were clear: cranberry products—whether juice, capsules, or tablets—significantly reduce the risk of UTIs, particularly in:
- Women with recurrent infections
- Children
- People with increased UTI risk due to underlying conditions
The review concluded with moderate to high certainty that cranberries provide real clinical benefit, finally putting to rest decades of doubt.
How Do Cranberries Help?
The active compounds in cranberries—proanthocyanidins (PACs)—prevent Escherichia coli, the bacteria behind most UTIs, from adhering to the urinary tract wall. This anti-adhesion effect makes it much harder for bacteria to colonize and cause infection.
Unlike antibiotics, which kill bacteria directly, cranberry’s mechanism is non-antibiotic and preventive, meaning it can be safely used long-term without promoting resistance or disrupting the microbiome.
Not All Products Are Equal
One important caveat: not every cranberry product is effective. Clinical results depend on:
- The type of product (juice vs. capsule vs. tablet)
- The dosage
- The PAC concentration
To ensure effectiveness, choose standardized products with documented PAC content and, ideally, those supported by clinical studies.
A Role in Combating Antibiotic Resistance
The significance of cranberry’s role extends beyond individual health. As antibiotic resistance continues to grow—a threat the World Health Organization calls one of the biggest public health challenges—reducing unnecessary antibiotic use becomes urgent.
By helping to prevent UTIs naturally, cranberries can reduce the need for prophylactic antibiotics, supporting a more sustainable and responsible approach to infection management.
Conclusion
What was once seen as a folk remedy is now supported by some of the most rigorous scientific evidence available. Cranberries offer a proven, natural, and safe strategy to prevent urinary tract infections, especially for women with recurring symptoms.
In an age of rising antibiotic resistance, it’s more important than ever to turn to evidence-based phytotherapy—and the cranberry leads the way.
REFERENCES
Based on the article “Veenbessen, effectief in het voorkomen van urineweginfecties” (Medi-Sfeer, March 2025) and the 2023 Cochrane Review on cranberry products and UTI prevention.