Benefits of cranberry extract on urinary system
1.Helps prevent the occurrence of infectious cystitis. especially in women
Women are often prone to urinary tract infections (UTIs) due to their shorter urethra, which makes it easier for bacteria to travel up to the bladder. Even minor risks can lead to infections, such as traveling long distances, sitting on airplanes or tour buses for extended periods, facing heavy traffic, having difficulty accessing a bathroom and reducing water intake during travel or activities like exercising, running, or low rehydration.
These conditions can result in concentrated urine, insufficient flushing of bacteria from the urinary system, and bacteria adherence to the walls of the bladder and urethra. This can cause inflammation and infection, and the infection can ascend to the kidneys, leading to pyelonephritis.
In some women, post-sexual activity symptoms like swelling and pain in the urethra after sexual activity can also increase the risk of UTIs.
PACs (proanthocyanidins) type A that are found in cranberries can help prevent UTIs by inhibiting the adhesion of bacteria to the urinary tract lining. The ability to inhibit bacterial adhesion depends on the concentration of PACs. Higher concentrations of PACs enhance the ability to prevent bacteria from adhering to the urinary tract, reducing the risk of infection.
2.People with previous Recurrent bladder infections, such as
2.1 Elderly women nearing the end of menstruation or menstruation has ended have a vaginal condition and the area around the urethra is dry from lack of hormones Makes it easier for bacteria to adhere to the mucosa When you hold back just a little bit of urine, you can become infected.
2.2 People who have repeated urinary infections in close proximity to each other. a few weeks When taking antibiotics, the bacteria can be eliminated. But the lining of the bladder that is inflamed or scarred has not yet completely healed. It allows bacteria to enter again. Easily re-infected.
2.3 Patients after radiation therapy to the pelvic area Then there was a wound in the bladder from the radiation. Will get urinary infections easily and repeatedly.
2.4 Elderly men often have an enlarged prostate. In some cases, there is chronic and repeated inflammation of the glands, which requires a long course of antibiotics than normal cystitis
People with the above conditions, The doctor will prescribe antibiotics for a longer period of time, such as 2-3 weeks, and may need to continue taking low doses for another month to prevent repeated infections. It was found that taking antibiotics for a long time increases the risk of causing mold. There is research to support it. Using cranberries to replace the long-term use of antibiotics helps prevent repeated urinary tract infections and reduces the risk of fungal infections from the use of antibiotics.
3.In patients with urinary bladder dysfunction due to various conditions
such as diabetes or spinal cord injuries from accidents, urinary bladder dysfunction may be present from birth. These patients may need to self-catheterize or have a caregiver assist multiple times a day. Research (Hess MJ, 2008) has shown that daily consumption of cranberries can significantly reduce urinary tract infections (UTIs) over a period of six months.
4.In patients who have undergone bladder removal surgery and require a urinary diversion (ileal conduit type),
these individuals are more prone to infections than the normals. Research (Termiz Z, 2018) has demonstrated that daily consumption of cranberries can help reduce urinary tract infections significantly when followed for four months.
5.In pregnant women,
there is research suggesting that drinking cranberry juice may help reduce the risk of urinary tract infections. However, there is no research specifically addressing the safety of consuming cranberry extracts during pregnancy.