Among bladder infections, Urinary Tract Infection is the most common. One of two women in India suffer from UTI. A report from the American Urological Association and the National Institute of Health (NIH) estimates that a woman's lifetime risk of contracting at least one UTI is over 40%. And women are at more risk than men because their urethra is shorter.
If you're prone to urinary infections, the first thing to know is how to keep it at bay. Yes, the list of hygiene factors is long but who lives in an ideal world? How do we deal with the crazy travel and all kinds of loos we need to visit? Is there any superfood that can help to keep you infection-free?
Some studies show that cranberries are the most effective precaution that can keep UTI at bay
While a mild case of UTI is nothing much to worry about, it can become a serious concern if it happens regularly. A course of antibiotics and keeping oneself hydrated can treat UTI. But there is only one way to prevent UTI —cranberry. Research shows that cranberries are the most effective precaution against UTI.
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How Cranberry helps
Reports have found that if a person drinks cranberry juice during UTI, within eight hours of consumption, it relieves UTI symptoms. A research by the American College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology says that an increase in bacteria like Escherichia coli (E. coli) from its normal level causes UTI. Having cranberry makes the urine more acidic and less appealing to the bacteria.
Recent studies have also shown that cranberries contain proanthocyanidins which repels bacteria that attaches to the urinary tract walls. It restricts the bacteria from multiplying and flushes it out along with the urine.