[Updated May 10, 2018]
Cranberry juice is touted for fending off urinary tract infections (UTIs), typically signaled by frequent, burning urination. However, results from clinical trials have been inconsistent. A new study published in JAMA failed to find a benefit. Scientists gave 92 elderly women in long-term care facilities two cranberry capsules daily (total of 72 milligrams of the purported active ingredient proanthocyanidin; equal to 20 ounces of cranberry juice) while 93 other women received placebo pills. Overall, there was no significant difference in UTI episodes between the two groups in this one-year study, although researchers noted a benefit of cranberry capsules early in the study. One difference between this study and a previous study that did find a benefit of cranberry capsules was instruction to drink 8 ounces of water with each dose, thus providing additional hydration.
To Learn More: JAMA, Nov. 2016