Is cranberry juice good for a u.t.i.?

Possibly: Cranberry juice has a substance called tannins which make it harder for bacteria to attach to the bladder and cause infections. Cranberry can help some people reduce the risk of recurrent urinary tract infections. Drinking cranberry juice shouldn't hurt and may help. If your symptoms are not improving, should be evaluated by your physician.

Not known: We hear this a lot but not sure how good it is and i don't think that there is good data to support.

To Prevent UTI ONLY: There is data to support the use of cranberry juice or extract to prevent recurrent, culture proven utis. However, review of studies intending to treat a UTI with cranberry failed to show any benefit. Thus, cranberry juice/extract will only help to prevent utis. Unfortunately, maintaining adequate intake over the long term is difficult, and studies suggest it increases kidney stone production.

Possibly: Cranberry juice makes the urine more acidly and some bacteria don't grow well in urine that is acidy.