The writing of this study aims to review various studies that have been conducted regarding the benefits of cranberry in prevention of urinary tract infection (UTI). Cranberry and its products have been long studied for its use as a natural method to prevent UTI. Various research and studies have proven that the anti-adhesion component in cranberry is able to prevent bacteria adhesion to the urinary tract wall, especially Escherichia coli which is responsible for most of infections.
Papas et al, Kontiokari et al, Walker et al and Bailey et al have conducted research that support the use of cranberry for UTI prevention, on the contrary to Beerepoot et al, which research supports the use of antibiotic for prevention.
Though antibiotic as a prophylaxis therapy has been widely used in cases of UTI, this therapy also comes along with higher resistance rates of E.coli to antibiotic, that the use of cranberry might be more beneficial in UTI prevention. Cranberry does not only prevent bacteria adhesion, but also inhibit the resistance of E.coli to antibiotic if both cranberry and prophylaxis antibiotic therapy are combined. |