Cranberry Pills Instead of Cranberry Juice for Urinary Tract Infection?

I hate the taste of cranberry juice. Can I take cranberry pills and have the same effects on a urinary tract infection?

Cranberry prevents bacteria from gathering on the walls of your bladder and other parts of your urinary tract. If the bacteria cannot attach themselves there, they are flushed out and cannot cause an infection. However, you already have an infection so that benefit can't help you at this point.

Another reason cranberry juice helps with urinary tract infections is because the increased liquids you are taking helps flush out the bacteria. Of course, if you are taking pills instead, you aren't getting that extra liquid.

The last reason cranberry is probably so good for urinary tract infections is because it boosts the immune system. You can get this good effect from either the pills or the juice. The pills are probably even better for this effect.

Always take your doctor's advice, but here is what I would do for a mild UTI that can be treated at home (with doctor's permission of course):
1. Either drink a juice with cranberry mixed (like crangrape or cranapple or cranpeach) and make sure it says 100% juice on the back, not 15% juice. Oceanspray is only 15% juice by the way.
2. Or take cranberry pills and get 8 cups of water per day, more if you sweat or workout.

UTIs in the lower part of your urinary tract can usually be flushed out by you with no problem. However, if it starts to spread upwards into your urinary tract, it could be dangerous. That is why I said you should talk to your doctor and make sure it's okay for you to use these home methods first. If your UTI is bad enough, he may need to give you antibiotics.

If you have a question, leave your comment below and I will answer your question in a post.