Cranberry
Vaccinium macrocarpon
also known as American cranberry
A tart North American native berry whose proanthocyanidins prevent E. coli adhesion to bladder walls, reducing recurrent UTIs.
- Reduces recurrent urinary tract infections
- A-type proanthocyanidins prevent E. coli adhesion
- Antioxidant support
- Used by Indigenous tribes of New England
- Modest evidence for reducing UTI recurrence in women
Active in A-type proanthocyanidins, Anthocyanins, Quinic acid.
Use caution with blood thinners — interferes with warfarin
May increase kidney stone risk in susceptible people
Juice often high in sugar — caution with diabetes
Does not treat active UTI — need antibiotics for active infection
Related literature · not reviewed for these claims
These papers were imported by topic. They may concern plants, laboratory work, or different preparations. Inclusion here does not establish a human health benefit or support the claims above. How to read our sources →
- Urinary track health benefits and phytochemical characterization based on a narrative review on cranberry and its innovative formulation in phospholipids.
- Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of a proanthocyanidin-rich dry extract from the fruit of Vaccinium macrocarpon Aiton (cranberry extract) for dogs and cats (ACEL pharma S.r.l.).
- Pollinator Visitation Alters Cranberry Flower Fungal Communities in Wisconsin Cranberry Agroecosystems.
- Iridoid Glycosides as Key Discriminators of Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) Cultivars Revealed by UHPLC-HRAM-MSn Metabolomics.
- Plant Extracts from Origanum vulgare and Vaccinium macrocarpon Induce Apoptosis of Bone Metastasized Breast Cancer Cells in a 3D Bone-Mimetic Testbed of Bone Metastasis.
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Common questions
There's modest but real evidence for it. Cranberry's proanthocyanidins work by preventing E. coli bacteria from sticking to the bladder wall in the first place, which is why it's used for prevention rather than treatment.
No. Cranberry doesn't treat an active infection. If you already have UTI symptoms, you need antibiotics, not cranberry juice or supplements.
Use caution. Cranberry can interfere with warfarin specifically, so it's worth mentioning to your provider if you're on that medication.
It can be, since commercial cranberry juice is often high in added sugar. If you have diabetes, an unsweetened form or a supplement is generally the better choice.