Cranberry Supplement: How is it effective for UTIs?
You’ve probably been told and still believe that drinking cranberry juice can be used for preventing urinary tract infections (UTI). You may wonder if cranberries have some wonderful ingredients that ward off bacteria. Read on to find out why cranberry supplements are effective and if cranberry juice is an equally effective alternative.
ARE UTIs SAME AS STIs?
You may get a look of disdainful surprise when people overhear you in a pharmacy asking for drugs for urinary tract infections (UTIs) as the symptoms are similar to those of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). While it’s understandable why people mix up the two since they both involve the genitals, what you should know is that they are not the same.
First of all, what are urinary tract infections? Your urinary tract is made up of the tube you pee from (the urethra), your bladder, the tubes that connect your bladder to your kidneys (the ureters), and your kidneys. An infection of any of these parts is called a urinary tract infection. Sexually transmitted infections, on the other hand, are infections transmitted through unprotected sexual contact with an infected partner.
How to tell the difference is through the symptoms, which, while present in STIs, are absent in UTIs. The common symptoms for both include pain or a burning sensation during urination, a frequent urge to urinate, cloudy or dark urine, etc. The distinguishing symptoms present in STIs but not in UTIs are:
- Painful intercourse
- Vaginal discharge and itching
- Rash in the genitals and lumps
- Sore throat associated with sexual activity.
While it may be confusing to differentiate between these two conditions, you should conduct medical tests to be sure.
HOW IS CRANBERRY EFFECTIVE?
Cranberry contains an active ingredient called proanthocyanidins (PACs), which prevent the bacterium from adhering to the bladder wall. The drawback with cranberry juice is that even though it offers more hydration and possibly washes the bacteria from your body, the active ingredient in cranberry juice is usually not present when it reaches your bladder. Also, cranberry juice containing sugar tends to increase the growth of bacteria and is not advisable for people with diabetes. Therefore, cranberry supplements are the better recommendation for UTIs.
HOW TO CHOOSE AN EFFECTIVE CRANBERRY SUPPLEMENT
To get an effective cranberry supplement, you should know what to look for. When you’re looking for a premium-quality cranberry supplement made with 100% natural cranberries and 600 mg of natural cranberry fruit extract, there’s only one: NATURE’S FIELD CRANBERRY. With no added sugar, this supplement is your best bet for alleviating recurrent urinary tract infections. Choosing a supplement that supports urinary and bladder health just got easier with NATURE’S FIELD CRANBERRY.
