Recent research suggests that cranberries are not an effective remedy against UTI but merely a myth. Although previous surveys indicated that these fruits might reduce multiple infections which occur in younger women, they cannot be regarded as a treatment.
In other words, doctors underline that the best way to address this issue consists of antibiotics. Dr. Manisha Juthani-Mehta, a Yale School of Medicine infectious disease specialist, said that she hoped cranberries would be a reliable natural treatment, but it turned out they weren’t.
Dr. Manisha is the lead author of the latest study, which has revealed that these fruits do not reduce UTIs in female patients although during the survey they took many cranberry capsules for twelve months.
Also, according to Dr. Lindsay Nicolle, UTI expert, these findings can be regarded as solid proof that cranberry products are not a reliable medical recommendation to women suffering from urinary tract infections.
She continues by saying that doctors should not promote cranberry products as having any benefit. Based on the statistics, around 50 percent of all women will experience minimum one UTI during their lifetime.
Regarding symptoms, younger women might suffer from a constant need to urinate, while they will also experience an excruciating pain during this process. On the other hand, women who are no longer in the reproductive age, especially senior patients over the age of 65, will experience malaise, fatigue, and fever.
It is worth mentioning that men can suffer from this condition as well, especially seniors due to problems related to enlarged prostates. According to Dr. Kalpana Gupta, UTI expert from the Boston University School of Medicine, spermicides and sexual activity are the leading causes that increase the risk of UTI among younger women.
She explains these risks by underlining that sex stimulates bacteria movement inside the urethra. Women, unlike men, have a much shorter urethra, so bacteria can quickly reach the bladder causing an infection.
Worse, spermicides promote this conditions because they kill beneficial bacteria and allow the dangerous ones to thrive. She further added that UTI could not be regarded as a health condition related to hygiene management.
There are other theories which suggest that cranberries are rich in proanthocyanidins, a substance which tackled the E. coli responsible for UTI infection. That is why Dr. Gupta believes that some women suffering from recurrent UTIs may want to consider cranberry products based on their doctor’s suggestion.
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