Cranberry Juice Cuts Chance of Urinary Infections by Half
Women have drunk cranberry juice in an attempt to combat urinary tract infections (UTI’s) such as cystitis for many years, and now a group of Finnish researchers have found evidence to prove that the Old Wives’ Tale is, in fact true. After studying a group of 150 women with a history of UTI’s, researchers from the University of Oulu concluded that women who regularly drink cranberry juice are 50% less likely to contract UTI’s. Although the researchers are uncertain as to why the berry should offer protection from UTI’s, previous studies have suggested that the fruit’s high levels of a group of chemicals called proanthocyanidins prevent bacteria from `sticking’ to cells, thus reducing the chances of infection. In the US, more than $1.6-billion is spent on antibiotics to combat UTI’s in women each year.
SOURCE/REFERENCE: Reported by www.bbc.co.uk on the 28th June 2001
