Love ’em or loathe ’em, you cannot hate cranberries more than a urinary tract infection. Cystitis is a most annoying and uncomfortable problem, mainly suffered by women. Urinary tract infections are triggered by bacteria, primarily E. coli, adhering to the walls of the bladder or kidney.
Many scientific studies have found that cranberries are beneficial in fighting UTIs by blocking or prohibiting the growth of bacteria. So aside from peeing immediately after sex to quickly flush any bacteria out, another preventative measure is consuming cranberries regularly. I don’t mean the high-sugar cranberry juice that is sold in the supermarket. It is best to use a pure form of organic cranberries in a concentrate which can be diluted at a ratio of one part juice to four parts water.
Take two to three ounces of juice three to four times per day about half an hour before meals and just before going to sleep. It’s been known to clear up a bladder or urinary tract infection within one to two days. If your UTI does not clear up within 48 hours, it may have reached the kidneys, in which case you must go to the doctors.
Cranberries are rich in bioflavonoids, a natural vitamin C which stimulates the immune system and wards off infection. Just eating cranberries during the winter time can prevent colds and the flu. In addition, they can reduce the occurrence of kidney stones. They can also help dilate the bronchial tubes during an asthma attack and have been known to help acne sufferers.
It is claimed that cranberries can prevent bacteria from entering the skin, thereby making breakouts less frequent and less severe. If you actually like cranberries then it’s good to mix them in with your muesli every morning – don’t wait until you get a UTI.
Prevention is everything.