Incontinence & Overactive Bladder Health Center

Cranberries for UTI Prevention

Deciding Whether to Drink Cranberry Juice

Currently, no medical organization recommends drinking cranberry juice or taking cranberry pills to prevent UTIs. However, the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada does suggest that women who often get UTIs drink pure cranberry-lingonberry juice to reduce their risk.

The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology has stated that drinking cranberry juice has been shown to lower symptomatic UTIs but also states that there is not enough evidence to recommend its use to prevent UTIs.

For people who want to try cranberry products for UTI prevention, there are no real recommendations on how much to take or which form (juice vs. pills) works better. Different cranberry products have very different compositions.

Bottom line: If you like cranberry juice and it doesn't bother your stomach, aggravate another medical problem, or interact with medications, drink it. It might help prevent urinary tract infections, but don't expect it to magically cure every urinary tract problem that ails you.