Cranberry Juice (Vaccinium oxycoccus) Cystitis is very painful, those women seem to suffer more frequently than men do. Simply, it is the inflammation of the bladder and its lining. So what has Cranberry Juice got to do with cystitis? Cranberry Juice for many years has been used to treat cystitis. Originally it was thought that the Vitamin C in Cranberry Juice made the urine more acidic, thus killing the E.coli. (Escherichia coli)
In recent years, research has highlighted many the benefits that drinking Cranberry Juice can give to a cystitis sufferer. In the early 1990’s in America, over a six-month trial period involving elderly women, were given Cranberry Juice to drink. The bacteria in these ladies bladders were found to be less prevalent and thus it was concluded that Cranberry Juice was ideal in treating urinary infections and cystitis. It helps to relieve discomfort and also reduces the bacteria, E.coli build up that cause cystitis. Research indicates that Cranberry Juice can reach parts that other juices can’t reach, (to paraphrase an advert slogan!) and that the components of the Cranberry Juice, which affect in crippling the bacteria’s attachment to cells lining the urinary tract is really effective. The bacteria is then washed away in the urine. Cranberry Juice has been found to be effective against infection then its attractions as a treatment are many.
This juice is cheap, readily available, apparently free from side effects and most importantly will not lead to microbial resistance. The addition of Cranberry Juice to a daily dietary regimen, particularly in circumstances of high incidence urinary tract infections would be a sensible course to follow. Cranberry Juice would seem to probably reduce both the incidence of infection and thus the need for antibiotic therapy. I personally drink this juice instead of taking antibiotics, with all their side effects (adverse or otherwise!). It is certain, though, that drinking Cranberry Juice seems harm, to the bladder or the body in general. 100-400mls daily is enough to hold the E.coli bacteria at bay.
Today, there are more and more preparations containing Cranberry Juice so if you do not like the taste then just pop a pill instead! Litre of Juice cost around 99p. (Warning Cranberry Juice contains a high sugar content). It can be purchased from most leading supermarkets and health food stores, plus some chemists. Useless piece of information given to me by a friend ‘cranberries grow in wind-blown salt marshes along the eastern seaboard of the USA, hence the major brand name ’’Ocean Spray’’.’(Bnibbles) One MAJOR word of warning, if the cystitis symptoms persist more than three or four days, contact your doctor, as the infection, if not treated, infection can spread to the kidneys!