Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsUses of CranberrySide EffectsNutritionHow to UsePrecautionsInteractionsHow to StoreFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Uses of Cranberry
Side Effects
Nutrition
How to Use
Precautions
Interactions
How to Store
Frequently Asked Questions
Cranberry is a shrub native to northern parts of the United States. It can be found in bogs and swamps.
A popular food,cranberry is rich inpolyphenols, which haveantioxidant, antibacterial, andanti-inflammatoryeffects.
Cranberry has traditionally been used for stomach, liver, and bladder disorders. Today it’s most often used forurinary tract infections (UTIs).
Cranberry can be consumed as fresh or dried berries, juice, or found in supplement form.
This article reviews the latest evidence for cranberry’s uses and its nutritional profile to help you decide if it’s right for you. It also discusses some ways to incorporate cranberry into your diet and important side effects and drug interactions to keep in mind.
Cranberry Supplement FactsActive ingredients:A-type proanthocyanidins (PACS), anthocyanins, phenolic acids, terpenes, flavonolsAlternate name:Vaccinium macrocarpon,Vaccinium oxycoccos,bearberryLegal status:Over-the-counter supplement, foodSuggested dose:8 ounces of juice daily for UTI preventionSafety considerations:May contribute to kidney stones;may interact with warfarin (a blood thinner);unknown if safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding
Cranberry Supplement Facts
Active ingredients:A-type proanthocyanidins (PACS), anthocyanins, phenolic acids, terpenes, flavonolsAlternate name:Vaccinium macrocarpon,Vaccinium oxycoccos,bearberryLegal status:Over-the-counter supplement, foodSuggested dose:8 ounces of juice daily for UTI preventionSafety considerations:May contribute to kidney stones;may interact with warfarin (a blood thinner);unknown if safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding
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The vast majority of clinical trials of cranberry have studied its effects on UTIs.
It’s also been investigated for its role in the following:
Here’s the latest research.
Fresh cranberries.Westend61 / Getty Images
Westend61 / Getty Images
Urinary Tract Infections
There is some evidence that cranberry may help prevent recurring UTIs, though there’s not enough evidence to support using it for active infections.
UTIs are common in females over 18. About 60% of females have at least one UTI,and up to 30% have subsequent ones.
The following populations are especially susceptible to UTIs:
Components of cranberries calledproanthocyanidins(PACS) are credited with cranberry’s beneficial effect on UTIs.
PACS keep bacteria that commonly cause UTIs, such asEscherichia coli, from attaching to cells in the urinary tract and causing infection.
Recent guidelines suggest cranberry products reduce the risk of recurrent UTIs in the following populations:
Cranberry is associated with an average 30% decreased risk of recurrent UTIs in these groups.
Some studies show that cranberry may be as effective asantibioticsin preventing recurrent UTIs in children.
Cranberry juiceappears to be more effective than other dosage forms, like capsules, tablets, or powders, in preventing UTIs.
Cranberry is likely ineffective in preventing UTIs in the following populations:
GI Tract Infections
A study of 522 adults withH. pylorishowed that those who drank cranberry juice with a high amount of PACS twice a day for eight weeks had a 20% lower infection rate than those who took cranberry powder or placebo (sugar pill).
But a review of five studies found that while cranberry helped eradicateH. pyloriin adults, the results were not statistically significant.This means that results could be due to chance rather than reflecting cranberry’s true effects. More data is needed to determine the role of cranberry in these infections.
Diabetes
A review of 22 studies concluded that cranberry may lowerfasting blood sugarandhemoglobin A1c(a test that measured average blood sugar levels over the past three months) in people withtype 2 diabetes.It’s thought that the polyphenols in cranberry are responsible for this blood sugar-lowering effect.
Interestingly, cranberry had no effect on the blood sugar of people without diabetes, suggesting it’s unlikely to prevent the development of the disease.
Heart Protection
Cranberry may improve some risk factors for heart disease, such asblood pressureandbody mass index (BMI). It may also increasehigh-density lipoprotein(HDL, or “good” cholesterol) in people under 50 years old.
Additional Uses
Cranberry has also been studied in clinical trials for the following conditions, but more data is needed before it can be recommended:
Before taking cranberry, involve a registered dietitian (RD) or registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN), pharmacist, or healthcare provider to help you safely achieve your health goals.
What Are Side Effects of Cranberry?
For most healthy people, cranberry isn’t associated with many side effects.
Due to the high sugar content, however, drinking large amounts of sweetened cranberry juice may cause stomach upset or diarrhea, particularly in children.
A 100 gram (g) serving, equal to about one-half cup of cranberry juice, provides the following nutrients, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Cranberry Juice NutritionCalories: 32Carbohydrates: 7.6 gFiber: 0Protein: 0Fat: 0.34 gCalcium: 7 milligrams (mg)Potassium: 71 mgMagnesium: 4.4 mgCitric acid: 1160 mgVitamin C: 0.63 mg
Cranberry Juice Nutrition
Calories: 32Carbohydrates: 7.6 gFiber: 0Protein: 0Fat: 0.34 gCalcium: 7 milligrams (mg)Potassium: 71 mgMagnesium: 4.4 mgCitric acid: 1160 mgVitamin C: 0.63 mg
Cranberry juice has a similar sugar content as other juices, which may be problematic for people monitoring their sugar intake.
Low-calorie juices made withartificial sweetenersare also available.
These may be an alternative for people with diabetes orlow-carbohydrate diets.
Discuss the use of cranberry juice with your healthcare provider or aRD or RDNfor more details.
How to Use Cranberry
Cranberry can be easily incorporated into your eating pattern in lots of ways.
Fresh cranberries are not typically consumed raw due to their acidity and tartness, though they can be added to recipes.
Cranberry is most often sweetened and consumed as a juice or sauce.
Sweetened dried cranberries can be found in some dairy products, chocolates, and cereals.
Cranberry extracts and powders may be added to food, or cranberry can be consumed as a dietary supplement. It’s available in capsule and tablet form.
Most research into cranberry’s effects on UTI prevention has come from studies of cranberry juice.
Do keep the following precautions in mind when using cranberry:
Avoid cranberry if you have a known allergy to it or its components (ingredients or parts). If you’re unsure, ask an RD or RDN, pharmacist, or healthcare provider for more information.
Cranberry is considered to have a low risk of drug interactions.That said, there are a few to be aware of:
It is essential to carefully read a supplement’s ingredients list and nutrition facts panel to know which ingredients and how much of each ingredient is included. Please review the supplement label with your healthcare provider to discuss potential interactions with foods, other supplements, and medications.
Store food or juice that contains cranberries according to package directions. Juices should be refrigerated once opened and discarded according to the package label.
Cranberry supplements should also be stored according to the manufacturer’s directions. These should be kept at room temperature, out of the reach of children and pets.
Discard supplements after one year or according to the expiration date on the package.
Dietary supplements are not regulated like drugs in the United States. They can cause interactions with medications or have other safety concerns. For this reason, it’s important to be aware of what to look for whenchoosing a supplement, such as independent testing, potential drug interactions, and more.
Summary
Cranberries may be a good choice for preventing recurrent UTIs in females, children, and people with catheters.
There’s not enough evidence to recommend it for UTI prevention in pregnant people, older adults living in institutional settings, or treating active UTIs in any population. And it shouldn’t replace advice from a healthcare provider who may recommend antibiotics or another treatment plan.
Most of the research comes from clinical trials of cranberry juice rather than any other forms of cranberry.
If you decide to use it, remember that cranberry may interact with prescriptions of warfarin and tacrolimus and isn’t advised for people at risk of kidney stones or during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Frequently Asked QuestionsCranberry juice is appropriate for most healthy people because of its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.Remember that sweetened cranberry juice can be relatively high in sugar, so it may not be right for everyone. If you are on a low-carbohydrate diet or have diabetes, look for juice made with artificial sweeteners.And due to a lack of safety data, discuss using cranberry with your healthcare provider or pharmacist before taking it if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.Cranberry juice may help prevent recurrent UTIs in females, children, and people with catheters or who have undergone bladder interventions.There’s not enough evidence to support cranberry for UTI prevention for pregnant females, older adults, or people with bladder-emptying disorders.There’s also not enough evidence to support the use of cranberry for active UTIs.Cranberry juice shouldn’t be used in people who have kidney stones or are at risk for them. This is because cranberry can increase the levels of urinary oxalate, which can lead to the development of kidney stones.
Cranberry juice is appropriate for most healthy people because of its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.Remember that sweetened cranberry juice can be relatively high in sugar, so it may not be right for everyone. If you are on a low-carbohydrate diet or have diabetes, look for juice made with artificial sweeteners.And due to a lack of safety data, discuss using cranberry with your healthcare provider or pharmacist before taking it if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Cranberry juice is appropriate for most healthy people because of its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.
Remember that sweetened cranberry juice can be relatively high in sugar, so it may not be right for everyone. If you are on a low-carbohydrate diet or have diabetes, look for juice made with artificial sweeteners.
And due to a lack of safety data, discuss using cranberry with your healthcare provider or pharmacist before taking it if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Cranberry juice may help prevent recurrent UTIs in females, children, and people with catheters or who have undergone bladder interventions.There’s not enough evidence to support cranberry for UTI prevention for pregnant females, older adults, or people with bladder-emptying disorders.There’s also not enough evidence to support the use of cranberry for active UTIs.
Cranberry juice may help prevent recurrent UTIs in females, children, and people with catheters or who have undergone bladder interventions.
There’s not enough evidence to support cranberry for UTI prevention for pregnant females, older adults, or people with bladder-emptying disorders.
There’s also not enough evidence to support the use of cranberry for active UTIs.
Cranberry juice shouldn’t be used in people who have kidney stones or are at risk for them. This is because cranberry can increase the levels of urinary oxalate, which can lead to the development of kidney stones.
24 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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