Why is cranberry juice good for kidney stones

Yet, cranberry juice may also encourage the growth of the most prevalent type of stone, the calcium stone. Kidney stones are small, hard, mineral deposits generated in the kidneys that affect the urinary tract. Usually kidney stones are left to pass naturally through the urinary tract, though the process may be very painful.

If the stone is large enough that it may cause blockages, surgery must be done to remove the stone. There are a number of different types of stones that may develop, all having different causes. Individuals who experience kidney stones are likely to have a recurrence, so it is good to have the stone tested to see what type it is so appropriate precautions can be taken against future stones.

Some believe that drinking cranberry juice for kidney stones is beneficial because the antioxidants in cranberry juice clean out the kidneys and will even work to dissolve existing stones.

There is little scientific evidence that drinking cranberry juice will actively reduce the size of existing stones, yet cranberry juice does promote bladder and urinary tract health, which may be a factor in preventing kidney stones. In some cases, drinking cranberry juice for kidney stones has been shown to be an effective preventative measure. There is significant evidence that suggests that cranberry juice helps to prevent vaginal tract infection.

The proanthocyanidins found in cranberry juice prevent the bacteria from binding to the cells of the bladder wall. Thick juice makes the urine more acidic, thus creating an environment that is in hospitable for the infection causing bacteria to thrive. Drinking cranberry juice can prevent recurrent Urinary Tract Infection. The antiseptic properties of juice are very effective for treating ache and boils on the skin. Purpose: We evaluated the effect of cranberry juice on urinary stone risk factors.

Materials and methods: A total of 12 normal subjects and 12 calcium oxalate stone formers underwent 2, 7-day phases of study in random order while on a controlled metabolic diet.

Subjects ingested 1 l of cranberry juice CBJ daily in 1 phase and 1 l of deionized water in the other phase. On the last 2 days of each phase 2, hour urine collections and blood samples were obtained for stone risk factors and serum chemistries.