Cranberries: The Science Behind Urinary Tract Protection

Cranberries were once thought to prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs) by increasing urine acidity, which rendered bacteria like Escherichia coli (E. coli) unfriendly. The way of thinking has changed now.

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According to current research, cranberries include compounds that keep bacteria from adhering to the walls of the urinary system. The precise mechanism by which cranberries accomplish this is the subject of several theories.

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According to some research, the antioxidants in cranberries alter the bacteria in a way that prevents them from adhering to the urinary system. Another hypothesis is that cranberries cover the walls of the urinary tract with a slippery substance akin to Teflon that prevents E. coli from gaining a firm grip.