Introduction
For many centuries, cranberries have been the focus of interest owing to their beneficial effects in preventing Urinary Tract Infections (UTI). Cranberry juice has been used to treat UTI by natives of North America since 1683 (Dan et al, 2004). American Indians used the berries to treat kidney and bladder ailments, calm nerves and draw poison from arrow wounds. American mariners and whalers consumed cranberries to deter scurvy while on voyages in high seas (Yu, 2011). The term Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) in medicine refers to the presence of a specific threshold number of bacteria present in urine. This number is usually greater than 100,000/mL and may consist of urethral syndrome and pyelonephritis as well as cystitis (Dan et al, 2004). Lower UTIs are those that involve the bladder while upper UTIs involve the kidneys. UTIs include cystitis which is bacteria in the bladder, pyelonephritis, which is an infection of the kidneys and urethral syndrome (Epp & …show more content…
These are polyphenolic phytochemicals that have been proved to harbor potent antioxidant activity including the capability to scavenge reactive nitrogen and oxygen species. Of importance is that anthocyanidins have been proved to inhibit uropathogenic adherence via interference with type P fimbriae. Current research that supports use of cranberry as a prophylaxis measure refer to anthocyanidin as an active ingredient (Eagan et al, 2002). Further, there is an argument that anthocyanidin prevent type P fimbriae from attaching to uroepithelium and even prohibit or reduce expression of fimbriae right at the nuclear level. The theory is backed by the fact that anthocyanidins are very effective in preventing adhesion but not in dislodging bacteria that are bound actively. This theory explains why cranberry is effective if administered as a preventive measure rather than a curative
For many centuries, cranberries have been the focus of interest owing to their beneficial effects in preventing Urinary Tract Infections (UTI). Cranberry juice has been used to treat UTI by natives of North America since 1683 (Dan et al, 2004). American Indians used the berries to treat kidney and bladder ailments, calm nerves and draw poison from arrow wounds. American mariners and whalers consumed cranberries to deter scurvy while on voyages in high seas (Yu, 2011). The term Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) in medicine refers to the presence of a specific threshold number of bacteria present in urine. This number is usually greater than 100,000/mL and may consist of urethral syndrome and pyelonephritis as well as cystitis (Dan et al, 2004). Lower UTIs are those that involve the bladder while upper UTIs involve the kidneys. UTIs include cystitis which is bacteria in the bladder, pyelonephritis, which is an infection of the kidneys and urethral syndrome (Epp & …show more content…
These are polyphenolic phytochemicals that have been proved to harbor potent antioxidant activity including the capability to scavenge reactive nitrogen and oxygen species. Of importance is that anthocyanidins have been proved to inhibit uropathogenic adherence via interference with type P fimbriae. Current research that supports use of cranberry as a prophylaxis measure refer to anthocyanidin as an active ingredient (Eagan et al, 2002). Further, there is an argument that anthocyanidin prevent type P fimbriae from attaching to uroepithelium and even prohibit or reduce expression of fimbriae right at the nuclear level. The theory is backed by the fact that anthocyanidins are very effective in preventing adhesion but not in dislodging bacteria that are bound actively. This theory explains why cranberry is effective if administered as a preventive measure rather than a curative