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Cranberry concentrate can prevent urinary tract infections, but not cure them. It contains salicylic acid, which may prevent blood clots and reduce inflammation. It is generally safe to use, but large amounts can cause diarrhea and stomach upset. It may also increase the risk of kidney stones. Blueberries may increase the absorption of vitamin B12 and allow the kidneys to metabolize antidepressant drugs faster. Cranberries have been used for centuries to treat various disorders.
Cranberry concentrate comes in liquid form, suitable for mixing with water, and in tablets made from cranberry extract. Both forms of the fruit are used as a botanical treatment to prevent urinary tract infections. Cranberry concentrate can be sweetened or unsweetened, and some products need refrigeration if no preservatives have been added.
Both cranberry extract and cranberry concentrate are high in salicylic acid, the main substance found in aspirin. It might help prevent blood clots and reduce inflammation in inflamed tissues. Blueberries might also increase the absorption of vitamin B12 and allow the kidneys to metabolize antidepressant drugs at a faster rate. These factors can change the effectiveness of some prescription and over-the-counter medicines.
Most of the research using cranberry concentrate has focused on preventing the recurrence of urinary tract infections, especially in elderly patients. Scientists believe that cranberries block certain bacteria from attaching to cells in the urinary system. The effectiveness is considered moderate, but studies have found no use of cranberry concentrate in curing or relieving symptoms of urinary tract infections once they exist.
A 2009 study of patients with spinal cord injuries showed a significant improvement in the number of urinary tract infections over a one-year period. These infections represent a common reason for hospitalization in patients living with spinal cord injury. Researchers found cranberries comparable to antibiotics in preventing urinary tract infections and promoting healthy urinary tract function.
Cranberry concentrate is generally considered safe to use except in extremely large amounts. The long-term effects of the fruit are unknown. Some patients have reported diarrhea and stomach upset using substantial doses of this alternative medicine.
An adverse reaction could be the formation of kidney stones in people with a history of the disorder. Cranberry concentrate contains high levels of the chemical oxalate. Oxalate and calcium represent substances in kidney stones. The researchers found that people who used cranberry juice to prevent infections had higher levels of oxalate, calcium, sodium, and phosphate. The urine samples were also high in magnesium and potassium, two minerals that inhibit the growth of kidney stones, making the study inconclusive.
Although not supported by science, some people with type 2 diabetes use cranberry products to lower blood sugar. Other uses include the treatment of pleurisy, chronic fatigue syndrome, and scurvy. Some patients report healing properties when cranberries are applied to the skin.
Blueberries grow in bogs and are in the same plant family as blueberries and blueberries. Documented reports dating back centuries show that cranberries are a treatment for cancer, blood disorders, scurvy, and excessive vomiting. Native Americans used the fruit to treat disorders of the bladder and kidneys before modern science began to study the berries. Early settlers in the United States first named the fruit craneberry because the berry and stem reminded them of the bird.
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