Cranberry-containing products are a folk remedy to prevent UTIs.

Researchers in Taipei and Boston evaluated their value and factors influencing their effectiveness.

First, the details.

• Data from 13 studies, including 1616 patients, were used in a meta-analysis.
• The studies compared prevention of UTIs with cranberry-containing products vs placebo or nonplacebo controls.
• There were no restrictions for language, population, or publication year.

And, the results.

• Cranberry-containing products were more effective than placebo in the following groups.
  • Women with recurrent UTIs
  • Women
  • Children
  • Cranberry juice drinkers
  • People using cranberry-containing products more than twice daily

The bottom line?

The authors concluded, “Cranberry-containing products are associated with protective effect against UTIs.”

The authors caution that the design of the studies were dissimilar (heterogeneous) and that might affect the findings.

A 2008 Cochrane review reported a favorable effect of cranberry juice in the prevention of symptomatic UTIs in women with recurrent UTIs.

Since then, additional study results make it possible to include other groups.

7/10/12 19:43 JR