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Cranberry is a type of evergreen shrub that grows in bogs or wetlands. Cranberry is native to northeastern and northcentral parts of North America. The shrub has small, dark green leaves, pink flowers, and dark red fruits that are egg-shaped.
Cranberry is most commonly used for the prevention and treatment of urinary tract infections (UTIs). Cranberry is also used for kidney stones, enlarged prostate, the common cold, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses
In foods, cranberry fruit is used in cranberry juice, cranberry juice cocktail, jelly, and sauce.
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs). In adult females, oral cranberry seems to be beneficial for the prevention of initial and recurrent UTI. It does not seem to be beneficial for prevention of UTI in children or adults with neurogenic bladder, and it is unclear if cranberry is beneficial for UTI prevention in children, long-term care residents, or other high-risk populations. Cranberry is not recommended for the treatment of UTI in any population.
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- Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Preliminary clinical research suggests that oral cranberry is beneficial for reducing BPH symptoms.
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- Cardiovascular disease (CVD). It is unclear if oral cranberry is beneficial for CVD prevention.
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- Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Login for details
- Diabetes. It is unclear if oral cranberry is beneficial for diabetes.
Login for details - Helicobacter pylori. There is conflicting evidence regarding the use of cranberry juice for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication, either as a standalone treatment or in combination with standard triple therapy.
Login for details - Kidney stones (nephrolithiasis). It is unclear if oral cranberry is beneficial for reducing the risk of kidney stones.
Login for details - Memory. It is unclear if oral cranberry is beneficial for memory.
Login for details - Metabolic syndrome. It is unclear if oral cranberry is beneficial for metabolic syndrome.
Login for details - Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). It is unclear if oral cranberry is beneficial for NAFLD.
Login for details - Overactive bladder. It is unclear if oral cranberry is beneficial for overactive bladder.
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- Prostate cancer. It is unclear if cranberry is beneficial for preventing prostate cancer recurrence.
Login for details - Radiation-induced cystitis. Evidence for the use of cranberry juice in the prevention of radiation-induced cystitis is conflicting.
Login for details - Upper respiratory tract infection (URTI). It is unclear if oral cranberry is beneficial for the prevention or treatment of URTIs.
Login for details - Urinary odor. It is unclear if oral cranberry is beneficial for urinary odor.
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People used to think that cranberry worked for urinary tract infections by slowing the growth of bacteria. But this doesn't seem to be true. Instead it seems that some of the chemicals in cranberries keep bacteria from sticking to the cells that line the urinary tract. But cranberry doesn't seem to have the ability to release bacteria which are already stuck to these cells. This may explain why cranberry is possibly effective in preventing urinary tract infections, but possibly ineffective in treating them.
Cranberry, as well as many other fruits and vegetables, contains significant amounts of salicylic acid, which is an important ingredient in aspirin. Drinking cranberry juice regularly increases the amount of salicylic acid in the body. Salicylic acid can reduce swelling, prevent blood clots, and can have antitumor effects.
When taken by mouth: Cranberry juice and cranberry extracts are LIKELY SAFE for most adults. Drinking too much cranberry juice may cause some side effects such as mild stomach upset and diarrhea in some people. Taking large amounts of cranberry products might increase the risk of kidney stones.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if cranberry is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.Children: Cranberry juice is LIKELY SAFE for children when taken by mouth as a food or drink.
Aspirin allergy: Cranberries contain significant amounts of salicylic acid. Salicylic acid is similar to aspirin. Avoid drinking large quantities of cranberry juice if you are allergic to aspirin.
Diabetes: Some cranberry juice products are sweetened with extra sugar. If you have diabetes, stick with cranberry products that are sweetened with artificial sweeteners.
Kidney stones: Cranberry juice and cranberry extracts contain a large amount of a chemical called oxalate. In fact, there is some evidence that some cranberry extract tablets can boost the level of oxalate in the urine. Since oxalate is found in kidney stones, healthcare providers worry that cranberry might increase the risk of kidney stones. If you have a history of kidney stones, stay on the safe side and avoid taking cranberry extract products or drinking a lot of cranberry juice.
Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) substrates)
Interaction Rating=Minor Be watchful with this combination.
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver.
Cranberry might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. Taking cranberry along with some medications that are broken down by the liver can increase the effects and side effects of some medications. Before taking cranberry, talk to your healthcare provider if you take any medications that are changed by the liver.
Some medications that are changed by the liver include amitriptyline (Elavil), diazepam (Valium), zileuton (Zyflo), celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac (Voltaren), fluvastatin (Lescol), glipizide (Glucotrol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), irbesartan (Avapro), losartan (Cozaar), phenytoin (Dilantin), piroxicam (Feldene), tamoxifen (Nolvadex), tolbutamide (Tolinase), torsemide (Demadex), warfarin (Coumadin), and others.
Warfarin (Coumadin)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Warfarin (Coumadin) is used to slow blood clotting. Cranberry might increase how long warfarin (Coumadin) is in the body, and increase the chances of bruising and bleeding. Be sure to have your blood checked regularly. The dose of your warfarin (Coumadin) might need to be changed.
There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
There are no known interactions with foods.
The following doses have been studied in scientific research:
ADULTS
BY MOUTH:
- For preventing infections of the kidney, bladder, or urethra (urinary tract infections or UTIs): Capsules or tablets containing 120-800 mg of dried cranberry taken once or twice daily have been used. Drinking cranberry juice 120-300 mL 1-3 times daily has also been used.
BY MOUTH:
- For preventing infections of the kidney, bladder, or urethra (urinary tract infections or UTIs): 50 mL of a cranberry and lingonberry concentrate taken daily for 6 months has been used. Also, 5 mL/kg of cranberry juice taken daily for 6 months has been used. A standardized cranberry extract (Anthocran) 120 mg taken daily for 60 days has been used in children 12-18 years of age.
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