Cranberry Promotes Urinary Tract Health

by CP Staff

Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) promotes lower urinary tract health in older men, researchers reported in a recent study. Older men are at increased risk of lower urinary tract symptoms due to inflammation of the prostate.

In this new study, researchers investigated the use of dried cranberry in men with increased risk of lower urinary tract symptoms. The subjects in the study included 42 men with negative prostate biopsy, clinically confirmed chronic prostate inflammation, and an elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA), which is a protein marker used to evaluate prostate health. For 6 months, the men in the study were given either 1,500 mg of the dried powdered cranberries per day or no supplementation.

At the beginning of the study and after 3 and 6 months, the subjects were evaluated for urinary tract health parameters including a physical exam, International Prostate Symptom Score, quality of life and the International Index of Erectile Function questionnaire. The subjects were also evaluated with basic blood tests as well as levels of testosterone, prostate specific antigen (PSA), the inflammatory marker C-reactive protein (CRP) and antioxidant status. Additionally, prostate volume, urinary flow rate and post-void residual urine volume were also measured.

The results of the study indicated that the group receiving the cranberry supplement had significantly improved urinary health measurements after 180 days of supplementation. The cranberry group had improvements including International Prostate Symptom Score, quality of life and a lower PSA, as well as improved urination parameters such as rate of urine flow, average flow, total volume and post-void residual urine volume. There was no change in testosterone or CRP levels with cranberry supplementation.

The researchers concluded that the results of the present trial provide evidence that cranberries support lower urinary tract health, independent of benign prostatic hyperplasia or C-reactive protein level.

Reference:

Vidlar A, Vostalova J, Ulrichova J, Student V, Stejskal D, Reichenbach R, Vrbkova J, Ruzicka F, Simanek V. The effectiveness of dried cranberries ( Vaccinium macrocarpon) in men with lower urinary tract symptoms. Br J Nutr. 2010 Oct;104(8):1181-9.