The Role of Cranberries in Cystitis

Cranberries belong to the same family as blueberries and huckleberries but are too tart to eat raw. They can be consumed as juice, a dried snack food or as an ingredient in muffins and cakes.

Their Role in Cystitis
Cranberry juice has long been used as a home remedy to prevent kidney and gall bladder stones and cystitis.This is because they contain quinic acid , a substance which increases urine acidity and prevents the formation of calcium stones. The acidity prevents cystitis too.

Cranberries also contain a natural antibiotic substance that makes the bladder walls inhospitable to micro organisms responsible for uinary tract infections. People who suffer from recurrent or chronic bladder infections should drink a couple of glasses of cranberry juice daily as a preventive measure.

Since commercial cranberry juice is too diluted, it is ineffective in preventing or treating urinary infections. It also contains large amounts of sugar or other sweetners. Hence it is recommended to make your own cranberry juice by using a juicer.