CRANBERRY: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews (2024)

FAQs

What precautions should be taken with cranberry extract? ›

Cranberry has relatively high levels of oxalate, chemicals that may raise the risk of kidney stones in some people. If you have kidney stones, talk to your doctor before taking cranberry supplements or drinking a lot of cranberry juice. DO NOT use cranberry if you already have a UTI.

by Drugs.com

Cranberry may increase the anticoagulant effect from blood thinners like warfarin and lead to bruising or bleeding. If you take an oral blood thinner, check with your doctor before consuming large amounts of cranberry or cranberry juice.

Cranberry juice and cranberry extracts are likely safe for most adults. Drinking too much cranberry juice might cause some side effects such as mild stomach upset and diarrhea in some people.

They are packed with antioxidants and can help reduce the frequency of urinary tract infections in some people. Also, they may promote heart health, improve blood sugar control, boost immunity and protect against cancer, cavities and stomach ulcers. Dosages of up to 1,500 mg per day are safe for most.

Cranberry extracts may also help with cancer protection, teeth and gum health, lower blood pressure, obesity, and inflammation.

The presence of several potent antioxidants in cranberry juice like Proanthocyanidins have a strong iron chelating capability, which make it easy for the liver to remove toxins from the body.

Cranberry juice is high in oxalates, which can increase your risk of calcium oxalate kidney stones. This is because oxalates bind to calcium when you consume a lot of them, especially if you're already prone to kidney stones ( 3 , 4 ).

Interactions between your drugs

No interactions were found between cranberry and Tylenol Cold + Mucus Severe.

Cranberry products have not been linked to serum aminotransferase elevations or to instances of clinically apparent liver injury with jaundice.

Cranberries are packed with antioxidants and have several health benefits. If possible, eat them fresh to avoid the added sugars found in dried fruits and juices. Don't eat cranberries if you take blood thinners, get frequent kidney stones, or are allergic to aspirin.

What organ is cranberry good for? ›

Cranberries provide a good source of various vitamins and antioxidants. Historically, Native Americans used cranberries as a treatment for bladder and kidney diseases, while early settlers from England used them to treat poor appetite, stomach complaints, blood disorders, and scurvy.

Consuming cranberries can prevent tooth decay and gum disease, inhibit urinary tract infections, reduce inflammation in the body, maintain a healthy digestion system, and decrease cholesterol levels [2,5,9,10].

Studies have pointed out that due to the added sugars and water that dilute the cranberry juice, cranberry capsules are a more effective alternative. In fact, it turns out that the active ingredient in cranberries that helps prevent E. coli from turning into an infection may not even be present in cranberry juice!

Cranberries don't seem to work for everyone. And they don't treat UTIs that you already have. The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology says that unsweetened cranberry juice and cranberry supplements may make UTIs less likely, but that it's not yet clear how much you need to take and for how long.

Although cranberry extract can be taken on an empty stomach, it is recommended that the capsules are taken alongside meals, especially ones that contain another source of vitamin C, as this will help to augment the absorption of the polyphenol qualities that people are seeking.

Analyses showed that the cranberry extract increases bacterial sensitivity to antibiotics by acting in two ways. First, it makes the bacterial cell wall more permeable to the antibiotic, and second, it interferes with the mechanism used by the bacteria to pump out the antibiotic.

The recommended daily dose ranges widely, typically 120 to 1600 mg as capsules daily or as 300 to 900 mL of cranberry juice. Cranberry is generally well tolerated without adverse events. With high doses, minor side effects may include diarrhea, abdominal discomfort and nausea.

The high concentration of salicylic acid in cranberries provides similar effects as aspirin, which is a salicylate. Drinking cranberry juice or taking cranberry supplements can help prevent blood clots by acting as a blood thinner.