How many cups of cranberry juice should I drink for a UTI?

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are uncomfortable and often painful infections that affect the urinary system. They occur when bacteria enter the urinary tract and multiply in the bladder, causing inflammation and irritation. While UTIs can usually be effectively treated with antibiotics prescribed by a doctor, some people look to home remedies like drinking cranberry juice to help prevent or treat uncomplicated UTIs.

Cranberry juice and cranberry juice cocktails contain substances that may help prevent bacteria from adhering to the lining of the bladder. This anti-adhesion property could potentially help prevent UTIs or reduce UTI symptoms. However, evidence on the effectiveness of cranberries for UTIs is mixed.

This article provides evidence-based guidance on how much cranberry juice you should drink to help treat or prevent a UTI.

What the Research Says

There’s some evidence from clinical studies that drinking cranberry juice or taking cranberry supplements may help prevent UTIs by stopping bacteria from adhering to bladder cells:

• A 2012 review of 13 studies concluded that cranberry juice may decrease UTI symptoms within 24 hours.
• A 2016 review found that cranberry products may reduce the incidence of UTIs over 12 months, especially for women with recurrent UTIs.
• A 2015 study gave older women with recurrent UTIs either cranberry capsules or a placebo. The cranberry group had fewer UTIs over 1 year.

However, other research shows little benefit. For example, a 2011 review found that cranberry juice does not significantly reduce UTI rates in most people.

So the effectiveness of cranberry juice or capsules is still up for debate. But it’s considered a relatively safe home remedy for uncomplicated UTIs when used alongside antibiotics or medical advice from your healthcare provider.

Active Ingredients in Cranberries

Researchers think two substances in cranberries are responsible for their possible UTI-fighting powers:

• Proanthocyanidins (PACs): These compounds may stop bacteria from adhering to the lining of the bladder and urinary tract.
• Fructose: This sugar may prevent bacteria from latching on to cells in the urinary tract.

To get these active ingredients from cranberry juice, make sure to choose unsweetened or low-sugar varieties. The high sugar content of cranberry juice cocktails like Ocean Spray could potentially make a UTI worse.

Recommended Cranberry Juice Intake for UTIs

Here are general guidelines for how much cranberry juice to drink when trying to treat or prevent a UTI:

For UTI Treatment

• Drink at least 8 ounces (240 ml) of cranberry juice daily. You can split this up into multiple servings.
• Continue drinking this amount for at least 2 days after your UTI symptoms resolve.
• Look for cranberry juice concentrates, which deliver more of the active UTI-fighting ingredients per serving.

For UTI Prevention

• If you’re prone to recurrent UTIs, drink 8–16 ounces (240–480 ml) of cranberry juice daily to help prevent infection.
• For a more concentrated dose, take 500 mg of cranberry PACs daily.
• Cranberry capsules containing at least 36 mg of PACs may also help prevent recurrent UTIs.

Choosing the Best Cranberry Juice for UTIs

Look for an unsweetened juice that contains 100% cranberry juice. Avoid cranberry juice cocktails high in added sugars. Also, check the label to make sure the juice contains no artificial flavors or sweeteners.

Some good options include:

• Lakewood Pure Cranberry Juice
• R.W. Knudsen Just Cranberries
• Trader Joe’s Cranberry Juice
• Tree of Life Organic Cranberry Juice

Side Effects of Drinking Cranberry Juice

Drinking cranberry juice is generally considered safe. But some people may experience side effects like:

• Digestive issues: Cranberry juice contains high levels of oxalate. This may increase the risk of kidney stones in those predisposed.
• Drug interactions: Cranberry may interact with blood thinners like warfarin and affect blood clotting.
• Allergic reactions: Some people are allergic to cranberries and may develop rashes, upset stomach, or difficulty breathing.

Speak with your healthcare provider before drinking cranberry juice if you take any medications or have kidney stones or oxalate sensitivity.

The Bottom Line

Evidence on the effectiveness of cranberry juice for treating and preventing UTIs is mixed. But it may be beneficial when used alongside medical treatment.

For treating a UTI, drink at least 8 ounces (240 ml) of cranberry juice daily for 2 days after your symptoms clear up. To help prevent recurrent UTIs, aim for 8–16 ounces (240–480 ml) per day.

Choose unsweetened or low-sugar cranberry juice and avoid versions high in added sugar. And speak to your healthcare provider to make sure cranberry juice is safe for you to use.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is cranberry juice better than cranberry pills for UTIs?

Both cranberry juice and cranberry capsules may help prevent UTIs. Juice may work a bit faster since the nutrients are more rapidly absorbed. But pills are more convenient and contain higher, standardized concentrations of the active UTI-fighting compounds.

2. How long does it take for cranberry juice to work for a UTI?

Some research indicates cranberry juice may start providing UTI symptom relief within 24 hours. But it may take a few days of regular consumption to fully treat an active UTI.

3. Can I treat a UTI without antibiotics by only drinking cranberry juice?

Cranberry juice should not replace antibiotics prescribed by your healthcare provider. However, it may help reduce symptoms when used alongside antibiotics. Speak with your doctor before trying to treat a UTI without antibiotics.

4. Why does cranberry juice help with UTIs?

Cranberries contain substances called proanthocyanidins (PACs) and fructose. These may prevent bacteria that cause UTIs from adhering to cells along the urinary tract.

5. Is it better to drink cranberry juice or water for a UTI?

Drinking water is important for flushing bacteria out of your urinary tract. But cranberry juice provides active compounds that can help prevent bacteria from adhering to your urinary tract in the first place. Both are beneficial.

The Takeaway

If you have a UTI, be sure to see your healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and treatment with antibiotics if needed. Drinking adequate cranberry juice may help reduce your symptoms and prevent recurrent infections. But make sure to check with your healthcare provider before using cranberry juice or capsules.