Cranberry Extract Research

Cranberry for UTI prevention: A Cochrane review

Jepson RG et al. • Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2012)

Cranberry products reduced UTI risk in women with recurrent UTIs.

• Reduced UTI recurrence in women
• Most effective in recurrent UTI
• Compliance affects outcomes

Efficacy and safety of dietary polyphenols in rheumatoid arthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 47 randomized controlled trials

Long Z et al. • Frontiers in immunology (2023)

Dietary polyphenols may improve DAS28, reduce C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and improve oxidative stress, etc.

• Dietary polyphenols may improve DAS28, reduce C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and improve oxidative stress, etc.
• However, more RCTs are needed to verify or modify the efficacy and safety of dietary polyphenols.
• Further research warranted to confirm findings

Polyphenols for the Prevention or Management of Preeclampsia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Nguyen PY et al. • BJOG : an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology (2025)

ECGC and resveratrol supplements have been investigated for potential effects in managing clinical signs and symptoms of preeclampsia; however, evidence on the clinical and adverse effects of polyphenols is limited and uncertain.

• ECGC and resveratrol supplements have been investigated for potential effects in managing clinical signs and symptoms of preeclampsia; however, evidence on the clinical and adverse effects of polyphenols is limited and uncertain.
• Published in BJOG : an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology (2025)
• Further research warranted to confirm findings

Effect of flavonoids from grape seed and cranberry extracts on the microbiological activity of Streptococcus mutans: a systematic review of in vitro studies

Castellanos JS et al. • BMC oral health (2024)

The overall results showed that the extracts of cranberry and grape seed were effective in reducing the virulence factors of the oral pathogen.

• The overall results showed that the extracts of cranberry and grape seed were effective in reducing the virulence factors of the oral pathogen.
• According to the data, proanthocyanidins are the active components in cranberry and grape seed that effectively resist S. mutans.
• They can inhibit the formation of insoluble polysaccharides in the extracellular matrix and prevent glycan-mediated adhesion, cohesion, and aggregation of the proteins in S. mutans.

Non-pharmacological interventions in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Turk MA et al. • Autoimmunity reviews (2023)

Some non-pharmacological therapies may modestly improve some clinical outcomes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

• Some non-pharmacological therapies may modestly improve some clinical outcomes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
• Many identified studies lacked full reporting.
• Further clinical trials that are well-designed, adequately powered, and sufficiently report ACR improvement criteria or EULAR response criteria outcomes are needed to confirm the efficacy of these therapies.

Effects of cross-linking agents on hydroxyproline release and root caries lesion size: Systematic review and network meta-analysis of in vitro studies

Monici Silva I et al. • European journal of oral sciences (2024)

Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

• Only naringin, quercetin, proanthocyanidins, and glutaraldehyde showed statistically significant efficacy over untreated controls.
• In conclusion, proanthocyanidins positively affected both outcomes, suggesting they are prime candidates for translational research.
• Clinical studies are now essential to evaluate their real-world effectiveness against root caries.

Cranberry versus placebo in the prevention of urinary infections in multiple sclerosis: a multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial

Gallien P et al. • Multiple sclerosis (Houndmills, Basingstoke, England) (2014)

Taking cranberry extract versus placebo twice a day did not prevent UTI occurrence in MS patients with urinary disorders.

• There was no difference in time to first symptomatic UTI distribution across 1 year, with an estimated hazard ratio of 0.99, 95% CI [0.61, 1.60] (p = 0.97).
• Taking cranberry extract versus placebo twice a day did not prevent UTI occurrence in MS patients with urinary disorders.
• Trial Registration NCT00280592.

Comparative evaluation of cranberry extract and sodium fluoride as mouth rinses on S. mutans counts in children: a double-blind randomized controlled trial

Bansal K et al. • European archives of paediatric dentistry : official journal of the European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry (2024)

The study demonstrated that the cranberry mouth rinse was non-inferior to the fluoride mouth rinse in terms of S. mutans levels change.

• ITT analysis showed an inter- group difference of 0.14 CFU/ml (90% CI - 0.32,0.59) in post-SM counts between groups (p = 0.629).
• The study demonstrated that the cranberry mouth rinse was non-inferior to the fluoride mouth rinse in terms of S. mutans levels change.
• Cranberry-based mouth rinse can be used effectively to reduce the S. mutans counts in children.

In vivo exposure to cranberry juice suppresses dental plaque regrowth and acid production in adults and children: a PGRM study.

Wu CD, Li W, Luu M, Kratunova E, Xie Q • Sci Rep (2026)

Combined cranberry supplementation and weight loss diet in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a double-blind placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial

Hormoznejad R et al. • International journal of food sciences and nutrition (2020)

It seems that 288 mg of cranberry extract might improve managing NAFLD, which is equivalent to 26 g of dried cranberry.

• Significant improvements in insulin resistance were observed in the cranberry group and between the two groups (p < .001 and p = .020, respectively).
• At the end of the study, alanine aminotransferase and insulin decreased significantly in both groups (p < .05); however, this reduction was significantly greater in the cranberry group than in the placebo group (p < .05).
• Also, there was an improvement in steatosis grade and anthropometric measurements in both groups (p < .05), and there was no significant difference between the two groups in regard to these factors (p > .05).

Effect of tablets containing a paraprobiotic strain and the cranberry extract on caries incidence in preschool children: A randomized controlled trial

Olczak-Kowalczyk D et al. • Dental and medical problems (2025)

A daily intake of a tablet containing a paraprobiotic and the cranberry extract reduced the 9-month incidence of initial non-cavitated carious lesions in caries-active preschool children.

• Sixty children completed the trial (a dropout rate of 19%).
• The baseline caries prevalence was high in both groups (~71%) and there were no major differences between the groups with regard to background variables.
• A daily intake of a tablet containing a paraprobiotic and the cranberry extract reduced the 9-month incidence of initial non-cavitated carious lesions in caries-active preschool children.

Prevention of Urinary Tract Infection with Oximacro, A Cranberry Extract with a High Content of A-Type Proanthocyanidins: A Pre-Clinical Double-Blind Controlled Study

Occhipinti A et al. • Urology journal (2016)

Careful determination of the total PAC content using the BL-DMAC method and the authentication of PACs-A with mass spectrometry in cranberry extracts are necessary to prepare effective doses for UTI prevention.

• Analysis of Oximacro revealed a high total PAC content (372.34 mg/g ± 2.3) and a high percentage of PAC-A dimers and trimers (86.72% ± 1.65).
• Careful determination of the total PAC content using the BL-DMAC method and the authentication of PACs-A with mass spectrometry in cranberry extracts are necessary to prepare effective doses for UTI prevention.
• A dose of 112 mg Oximacro containing 36 mg PACs-A was found to be effective in preventing UTIs when used twice per day for 7 days.

Supplementation with Highly Standardized Cranberry Extract Phytosome Achieved the Modulation of Urinary Tract Infection Episodes in Diabetic Postmenopausal Women Taking SGLT-2 Inhibitors: A RCT Study

Rondanelli M et al. • Nutrients (2024)

In conclusion, highly standardized cranberry extract phytosome supplementation reduced UTI recurrence.

• Considering UTI episodes, during the six-month supplementation period, an increase of 1.321 (95% CI: -0.322; 2.9650) was observed in the placebo group, while it remained at a steady value of 0.393 (95% CI: -4.230; 5.016) in the supplemented group.
• Regarding UTI episodes, in both groups, interaction between times for supplementation was statistically significant (p = 0.001).
• In particular, at follow-up 4, 9% of the placebo group showed infection versus only 3% with cranberry supplementation.

Probiotic and cranberry supplementation for preventing recurrent uncomplicated urinary tract infections in premenopausal women: a controlled pilot study

Koradia P et al. • Expert review of anti-infective therapy (2019)

These findings support the need for further well-designed trials to clarify the benefits that may be achieved.

• After 26 weeks, a significantly lower number of women experienced recurrent UTIs with BKPro-Cyan compared to placebo (9.1 vs 33.3%; P = 0.0053).
• The primary endpoint was the proportion of subjects with recurrent UTI at the end of the study.Results: 115 subjects were screened; 90 were enrolled; 81 completed the study.
• These findings support the need for further well-designed trials to clarify the benefits that may be achieved.

Effect of a multinutrient supplement as an adjunct to nonsurgical treatment of periodontitis: A randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial

Laky B et al. • Journal of periodontology (2024)

Multinutrient supplementation as an adjunct to nonsurgical treatment of periodontitis showed some additional benefit regarding probing-pocket-depth and bleeding-on-probing.

• All clinical parameters significantly improved from baseline to reevaluation within each group (p < 0.05).
• Multinutrient supplementation as an adjunct to nonsurgical treatment of periodontitis showed some additional benefit regarding probing-pocket-depth and bleeding-on-probing.
• However, the clinical relevance needs to be further explored.

Antibiotic versus cranberry in the treatment of uncomplicated urinary infection: a randomized controlled trial

Güven O et al. • Revista da Associacao Medica Brasileira (1992) (2023)

Considering the results of this study, it was determined that the patient's complaints decreased from day 3 and their well-being increased with the use of cranberry only.

• Considering the results of this study, it was determined that the patient's complaints decreased from day 3 and their well-being increased with the use of cranberry only.
• Specifically, on day 7, the well-being of the cranberry group was higher than that of the fosfomycin group.
• For this reason, cranberry is a favorable alternative to antibiotics in uncomplicated and simple urinary tract infections.

Standardised high dose versus low dose cranberry Proanthocyanidin extracts for the prevention of recurrent urinary tract infection in healthy women [PACCANN]: a double blind randomised controlled trial protocol

Asma B et al. • BMC urology (2018)

Clinicaltrials.gov, identifier: NCT02572895 October 8th 2015.

• Clinical trial examining Cranberry Extract efficacy
• Published in BMC urology (2018)
• Further research warranted to confirm findings

Effect of oral cranberry extract (standardized proanthocyanidin-A) in patients with recurrent UTI by pathogenic E. coli: a randomized placebo-controlled clinical research study

Singh I et al. • International urology and nephrology (2016)

The overall efficacy and tolerability of standardized cranberry extract containing (PAC-A) as a food supplement were superior to placebo in terms of reduced bacterial adhesion; bacterial MRHA negativity; urine pH reduction; and in preventing r-UTI (dysuria, bacteriuria and pyuria).

• The overall efficacy and tolerability of standardized cranberry extract containing (PAC-A) as a food supplement were superior to placebo in terms of reduced bacterial adhesion; bacterial MRHA negativity; urine pH reduction; and in preventing r-UTI (dysuria, bacteriuria and pyuria).
• Larger randomized controlled trials are needed to elucidate the precise role, exact dose and optimal duration of PAC-A therapy in patients at risk of r-UTI.
• Further research warranted to confirm findings

Effects of cranberry (Vaccinum macrocarpon) supplementation on iron status and inflammatory markers in rowers

Skarpańska-Stejnborn A et al. • Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (2017)

Supplementation with cranberry extract contributed to a significant strengthening of antioxidant potential in individuals exposed to strenuous physical exercise.

• Supplementation with cranberry extract contributed to a significant strengthening of antioxidant potential in individuals exposed to strenuous physical exercise.
• However, supplementation did not exert direct effects on other analyzed parameters: inflammatory markers and indices of iron metabolism (TNF-alpha, hepcidin and myoglobin).
• Further research warranted to confirm findings

Cranberry supplementation in the prevention of non-severe lower urinary tract infections: a pilot study

Ledda A et al. • European review for medical and pharmacological sciences (2015)

These preliminary results, obtained in a field-practice setting, indicates the effectiveness and safety of a well-standardized cranberry extract in the prevention of R-UTI.

• In the cranberry group, the reduction in the frequency of UTI episodes during the study period compared with the two months before the inclusion was 73.3% (p < 0.05).
• This figure was 15.4% in the control group (p < 0.05; p = 0.012 vs cranberry group).
• Seven (31.8%) subjects in the cranberry group were symptom-free; no patient was symptom-free in the control group (p < 0.05).