Do Cranberry Supplements Prevent UTIs?

Fact checked by Nick Blackmer

Key Takeaways

• Cranberries are considered a natural remedy for urinary tract infections (UTIs).

• Some research suggests that cranberry products may help prevent recurrent UTIs.

• Experts say more research is needed, but cranberry supplements must contain A-type proanthocyanidins (PACs) in order to be effective.

Cranberry juice or cranberry supplements are popular home remedies for urinary tract infections (UTIs), but the scientific evidence on whether these tart treatments work is mixed.

As many as 50–60% of women experience a UTI at least once, and this common bacterial infection can cause frequent, painful, or bloody urination.

This article discusses what the research shows and experts say about whether cranberry supplements help prevent UTIs, as well as other potential remedies to prevent UTIs.

Cranberry Juice vs Cranberry Supplements

Cranberries are thought to help prevent UTIs because they contain compounds known as A-type proanthocyanidins (PACs), which may keep bacteria from attaching to the walls of the urinary tract. But chugging a glass of cranberry juice might not fix a UTI.

“Many juices may not contain enough PAC to reduce infection risk, and most juices have high sugar content so patients with diabetes should use them with caution,” Lauren Stewart, MD, an assistant professor of obstetrics & gynecology and urology at NYU Langone Health, told Verywell in an email.

Some people turn to cranberry supplements instead since these may have a more concentrated PAC content, but research is limited.

Cranberry Research

A 2017 study with fewer than 40 participants suggested that cranberry supplements may be effective as a preventative measure for people who experience recurrent UTIs.

The authors of a 2023 review of 50 studies concluded cranberry products may help to prevent UTIs in women with frequent UTIs, in children with UTIs, and in people who have undergone a procedure involving the bladder. The current evidence does not support the use of cranberry products in the elderly, people with bladder emptying problems, or pregnant women.

Evidence from a 2021 meta-analysis of 26 studies indicated that cranberry supplementation reduced the incidence of UTIs in susceptible populations. However, the authors noted that more high-quality studies with large sample sizes are needed to verify the results.

Cranberry Recommendations

In 2020, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a statement that it would not "object to the use of certain qualified health claims regarding consuming certain cranberry products and a reduced risk of recurrent UTI in healthy women." This means that certain cranberry juices and supplements can claim to help reduce recurrent UTI risk as long as the labels note that the claim is backed by "limited scientific evidence."

The American Urological Association also included a conditional recommendation in support of cranberry as a preventive measure for women with recurrent UTIs in its 2022 guidelines. However, cranberry supplements should not be considered as a treatment for UTIs.

"If you already have a UTI, cranberry pills won’t cure the infection, but it also won’t make it worse. You don’t have to stop taking your cranberry supplements if you’re also being treated for an active UTI," James Anaissie, MD, a urologist with Memorial Hermann in Houston, TX, told Verywell in an email.

Cranberry Supplement Dosage

No clinical trials have evaluated different dosages, which means it’s still unclear how much cranberry supplement, and in what form, is best for preventing UTIs.

One of the FDA-qualified health claims states, “Limited scientific evidence shows that by consuming 500 mg each day of cranberry dietary supplement, healthy women who have had a urinary tract infection (UTI) may reduce their risk of recurrent UTI.”

Look for cranberry supplements that contain A-type proanthocyanidins (PACs).

Staying Hydrated to Prevent UTIs

Taking cranberry supplements may be a low-risk way to try to prevent UTIs, but this is not the only option. There’s some evidence to suggest that staying hydrated may also help. A 2018 clinical trial found women who drank less than 1.5 liters (about 6.5 cups) of water each day and had a history of recurrent UTIs benefited from increasing their water intake.

Milan Shah, MD, a board-certified urologist with the Urology Group of Southern California in Los Angeles, CA, told Verywell that there is some mixed evidence on hydration and UTI risk but he often recommends increased water consumption to his patients.

"For the patients that we put on an increase hydration, some individuals come in and they don’t drink much water at all, maybe half a liter a day or less, and when we’ve upped their water to two and a half liters a day, they’ve really seen substantial improvement," Dr. Shah said.

Staying on top of your water intake means you’ll probably have to urinate more often, but don’t avoid an extra trip to the bathroom. Holding your urine may also be associated with an increased risk for UTIs.

"Optimally, you should empty your bladder every few hours, even if you don’t feel very full. Also, if you’re sexually active, make sure you empty your bladder after you finish having sex," Dr. Anaissie said.

D-Mannose for UTIs

If you decide to take cranberry supplements, you might notice that some supplements are made with D-mannose, a type of sugar found in cranberries and other fruits.

"D-mannose is a sugar that, in theory, will create a nonstick surface to the bladder wall making it so bacteria are expelled when urinating," Mary Pat Friedlander, MD, a family medicine physician and medical director of the UPMC St. Margaret Lawrenceville Family Health Center in Pittsburgh, PA, told Verywell in an email.

A small randomized clinical trial from 2014 compared a D-mannose supplement to an antibiotic for recurrent urinary tract infection prevention. The findings showed that D-mannose was similarly effective at reducing UTI risk, but more studies are needed to confirm these findings.

"At this time, D-mannose has less evidence than the evidence for the A-type proanthocyanidin in preventing UTIs," Friedlander said.

Two review articles have also concluded that, while some research suggests that D-mannose may help prevent recurrent UTIs in women, additional larger trials are needed to validate these results.

"We have evidence and guidelines on cranberry prophylaxis. D-mannose is not in the guidelines yet, that’s obviously subject to change as we learn and grow with our knowledge and our studies," Dr. Shah said.

Dr. Shah also noted that the American Urological Association does not have a recommendation on D-mannose but his patients often ask him about this supplement. Dr. Shah said if people were to take these supplements it would be more effective to take cranberry and D-mannose separately.

"In order to have the full effect of cranberry prophylaxis and/or D-mannose, you want to take them about two or three hours apart, so the combination pill is not usually recommended," Dr. Shah explained.

Should You Take Cranberry Supplements?

Choosing to take cranberry pills is up to you, but if you want to try these supplements to help prevent UTIs, keep in mind that research is mixed.

People who want to take these pills should look for cranberry tablets containing 36 mg of PAC, according to Dr. Shah. However, these pills might get expensive and cheaper pills tend to not have enough PAC content Dr. Shah explained.

Dr. Shah said that cranberry tablets are generally safe and some people with recurrent UTIs can take cranberry supplements every day, but that these might not work for everyone.

"If someone truly does have a lot of infections, meaning they’re getting five, six infections a year, they’re staying hydrated, and they’re doing everything they can to mitigate their symptoms, it may make sense for them to be on this long term," Dr. Shah said.

What This Means For You

Consider talking to your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement. Cranberry pills won’t treat a UTI but there is some limited evidence to suggest these can help prevent recurrent UTIs.

Summary

Cranberry juice and cranberry supplements are popular natural remedies for urinary tract infections (UTIs). Some research suggests that cranberry products may help prevent recurrent UTIs, but larger, high-quality studies are needed.

Cranberry supplements are generally considered safe, and if you decide to try cranberry supplements to help prevent UTIs, choose a supplement that contains A-type proanthocyanidins (PACs) and talk with your healthcare provider before starting a new supplement to be sure it's safe for your individual needs.