Do Cranberry Gummies Really Help Prevent UTIs?
If you've ever had a UTI, you've probably heard that cranberries can help prevent them. There are many products that are marketed based on this claim, including cranberry gummies. But do these tasty supplements actually prevent UTIs? According to Popsugar Fitness, probably not. Cranberry products need to contain at least 36 milligrams of proanthocyanidins (PACs) to be effective enough to inhibit UTI-causing bacteria, and most cranberry gummies on the market do not contain this much.
There is also limited evidence to confirm that any form of cranberries can definitively prevent UTIs. While eating cranberries or drinking cranberry juice may be helpful for some people, it shouldn't be used as a sole method of UTI prevention (via WebMD). If you frequently experience UTIs, speak with your doctor about how to best treat and prevent them. This may involve a combination of lifestyle changes and medications depending on your health habits and the severity of your UTIs.
What to know about UTIs
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common infection that can occur anywhere along the urinary tract. The most common type of UTI is a bladder infection, which is also called cystitis (via Mayo Clinic). UTIs are caused by bacteria, such as E. coli, entering the urinary tract. The symptoms of a UTI can include a burning feeling when urinating, frequent urination, an urgent need to urinate, cloudy or bloody urine, and pelvic pain in women. Visit your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms. When left untreated, UTIs can get worse and lead to serious kidney infections.
UTIs can be treated with antibiotics. To prevent UTIs, it is important to drink plenty of fluids, empty your bladder regularly, and practice good hygiene. Wiping from front to back after using the toilet can help prevent bacteria from spreading to the urethra. Drinking cranberry juice or taking cranberry supplements may also help to prevent UTIs, but there is limited evidence to prove this.