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Cranberry outperforms D-mannose in urinary tract health trial

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Cranberry outperforms D-mannose in urinary tract health trial

The study, co-authored by cranberry expert Dr. Amy Howell​used a combination of in vitro ​bioassays and ex vivo ​urine analyses to compare the anti-adhesion activity of the two supplements in the same group of 20 participants.

“Following daily intake for a week, the cranberry fruit juice dry extract product with 36 mg PAC (proanthocyanidin) provided significantly greater urinary bacterial anti-adhesion activity over each 24-hour period than the D-mannose product against both P-type and Type 1 E. coli​ strains that cause UTIs,” Dr. Howell told NutraIngredients-USA. 

The researchers used a 206 mg Gikacran (Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait.)​ cranberry juice concentrate extract manufactured as Ellura by Solv Wellness (serving size one capsule) and a 500 mg D-mannose capsule from NOW Foods (serving size three capsules), both purchased online.

Prophylactic power: Cranberry vs. D-mannose

According to a large-scale meta-analysis​ published in The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews​ in 2023, consumption of highly-standardized cranberry juice extract products can prevent and reduce the risk of recurrent UTIs in women, children and other at-risk individuals.

Dr. Howell highlighted that not all cranberry supplements are created equal when it comes to maintaining urinary tract health, with research to date supporting cranberry juice-based supplements standardized to 36 mg of PAC content as most effective.   

“Many lower cost supplements contain the pomace fiber material left over after the juice is removed and are not as effective at preventing bacterial adhesion,” she explained. “The whole berry supplements have some juice, but higher intake would be needed compared to a pure juice-based product.”

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