The Mighty Cranberry

Drinking cranberry juice helps fight antibiotic resistance by reducing the risk of urinary track infections, a new study has revealed.

12:37 17 June 2016

Global leaders in infectious diseases came together for a panel titled, ‘Facing a critical challenge: How cranberry juice can help combat UTIs and the rise of antibiotic resistance' at Canada House in London to discuss ground-breaking research that can help minimise dependency on antibiotics using other alternatives.

 

It focused on new research conducted by leading doctors from the United States and Canada that found drinking cranberry juice on a daily basis could help in addressing symptomatic urinary track infections, which is very common among women.  

 

Speaking at the event, Dr Nathalie Tufenkji, event panelist and Canada Research Chair in Biocolloids and Surfaces, said: 'The growing spread of antibiotic resistance could undermine decades of work. We need to find alternative treatment strategies for infections.'

 

Dr Kalpana Gupta, Professor of Medicine at Boston University, added: 'We think of UTIs as common – 50 per cent of women will get one in their lifetime - but they are also a huge burden, affecting how many days women spend in bed, how long they take off work, their sexual health and any side effects they may suffer taking antibiotics, such as upset stomachs.