Cranberry for recurrent UTIs: what studies show

Findings from the Cochrane review

The 2023 Cochrane review assessed 50 studies involving 8,857 participants. Benefits were found in women with recurrent urinary tract infections, some groups of children and people at risk following certain interventions. The findings were not equally favourable across all populations. [1]

Interpreting the reduction in risk

For women with recurrent infections, the relative risk of symptomatic, culture-confirmed infection was 0.74. This represents an approximately 26% relative reduction compared with the control group, rather than a guarantee that 26 of every 100 women will avoid infection. The absolute difference depends on the underlying risk. [1]

Can the findings be applied to everyone?

The same benefit was not established in institutionalised older people, pregnant women or people with neurological bladder dysfunction and incomplete emptying. Products and study methods also differed. A result from one trial should not be presented as a promise of the same effect from every cranberry product. [1]

Prevention differs from treating an infection

A study of future episodes does not establish treatment of an infection that has already started. Burning, urgency or lower abdominal pain requires assessment of its cause. Fever and flank pain may indicate an infection involving the kidneys and should be assessed promptly. [2]

Using research in a clinical discussion

Bring the dates of previous episodes, culture results and the full ingredients of any product being considered. Clarify whether the aim is to reduce future episodes or investigate current symptoms. Cranberry and D-mannose are different substances, so research on one should not be treated as evidence about the other. A prevention discussion considers the full range of options and the person’s circumstances, including whether previous episodes were confirmed infections and whether bladder emptying or another condition needs attention. [2, 3]

References

This article provides general health information. Consult your clinician for individual diagnosis and treatment decisions, and your pharmacist for questions about medicine use.

Published by Aymed İlaç · 17 October 2026