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June 29, 2001
Written by Jill Tobacco,
BSMG
Media contact:
Julie Walsh, M.S., R.D. (212-665-5374)
Finnish Study Confirms the Common Belief that Recurrences of UTI's
Can Be Prevented with Cranberry Juice
Lakeville-Middleboro, Mass., June 29, 2001 – Frequent sufferers
of urinary tract infections have more scientific reason than ever to
make cranberry a part of their prevention routine. A new study, published
in the June 30, 2001 issue of the British Medical Journal, indicates that regular consumption of
a cranberry juice beverage appears to have significantly decreased the number
of urinary tract infections (UTI's) in women studied.
Prior research linked the cranberry to reducing bacteria associated
with UTI's. These new findings further support cranberry’s preventive
role with these painful infections.
Researchers at the University of Oulu, Finland, conducted an open, randomized,
controlled trial to study the effect of a cranberry-lingonberry beverage and
a Lactobacillus GG drink on recurrences of UTI's in women. One hundred and fifty
women who have had at least one UTI in their lifetime with a median age of 30
were randomly assigned to three groups of 50. Participants received either the
cranberry juice beverage every day for six months or the Lactobacillus drink
five days a week for one year, or served as open controls.
The recurrence of a UTI was found to be significantly different between the groups
during the course of the study. At six months, 19 (39%) women in the L. GG group
and 18 (36%) in the control group experienced at least one UTI episode compared
to only eight (16%) women in the cranberry group. According to the British
Medical Journal, episodes of urinary tract infection were reduced by about
half in the cranberry group.
“The study published in the British Medical Journal builds upon previous research,” said Martin Starr, Ph.D., Director of Health and Wellness at Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc. “It provides further evidence that consuming cranberry juice regularly may be effective in preventing this painful condition. This new study adds to the body of evidence indicating that compounds in cranberries may disable certain harmful bacteria in the body, so the ‘bugs can’t stick.’” He added, “At Ocean Spray, we applaud and are dedicated to furthering cranberry research to more fully understand all its health benefits. In fact, emerging research now suggests that cranberry’s anti-adhesion mechanism may work beyond the bladder in fighting certain bacteria in other parts of the body, such as the stomach and mouth.”
The Emil Aaltonen, Juho Vainio and Alma and KA Snellman Foundations
funded the above research.