CranberryPosting Date: 07/01/2002
Cranberry juice has been used infrequently in conjunction with antibiotics to treat chronic kidney inflammation. Cranberry juice has also been used in nursing homes to keep the urine of incontinent patients from developing an unpleasant ammonia-like smell. Evidently cranberry juice is able to inhibit the growth of the bacteria that degrade urine to ammonia. Test tube research at the University of Wisconsin suggests that cranberry juice may help keep LDL cholesterol from oxidizing. If confirmed, this activity would help prevent the development of cholesterol plaques in arteries. Dose The dose used in the double-blind prevention trial mentioned above was 300 ml (approximately 10 fluid ounces) per day. In acute urinary tract infections, up to 32 fluid ounces daily may be consumed. Special Precautions No special precautions have been noted with cranberries. Diabetics may need artificially sweetened juice, as the usual cranberry juice cocktail is high in sugar. Adverse Effects Diarrhea may occur, but it has been reported only with the consumption of a large quantity of juice (roughly 3 to 4 quarts). Possible Interactions Although cranberry juice contains some tannins, it has not been reported to interfere with the absorption of iron supplements or other minerals. In older people with too little stomach acid or in patients taking strong acid suppressors such as Prilosec, vitamin B12 absorption may be impaired. Cranberry juice appears to improve the absorption of this crucial vitamin in such cases. Copyright (c) 1999 by Graedon Enterprises, Inc. From The People's Pharmacy Guide To Home And Herbal Remedies by Joe Graedon and Teresa Graedon. Reprinted by permission of St. Martin's Press, LLC. Related Stories |
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