Super berries for UTIs

In the history of medicine, super fruits have long been used for urinary tract health, and include blueberry, cranberry, and bilberry (huckleberry). They belong to the Vaccinium genus of berries and are jam-packed with phytochemical antioxidants that set them apart from your average piece of fruit.

Urinary tract infections (UTI) occur when unwanted bacteria and sometimes yeast (fungi) get into the urinary tract and begin to multiply. Bacteria such as the common E coli can adhere to cells lining the urinary tract via small hairs on the bacteria’s’ surface called fimbriae. Fructose (from the berries) can bind to fimbriae, preventing the attachment. Non sugar compounds in cranberry and blueberry are also believed to have an inhibitory effect on this process.

Another plus of the Vaccinium berries are the anthocyanin pigments. Anthocyanins are a type of plant compound that has many health benefits. Apart from the role in the urinary tract, the Vaccinium berries offer:

• Antioxidant activity
• Relief from eye strain, as well as assisting protection from age related eye decline.

Further steps to help prevent UTIs include:

• Drinking plenty of water, as this will keep flushing out the bad bugs.
• Washing yourself before sex. Try and get your partner to do the same.[better health channel.
• Urinate immediately after sex to flush out any micro-organisms that shouldn’t be there.
• Wear cotton as opposed to nylon underwear
• Avoid deodorants and fragrant products, and avoid bubble baths as they may cause further irritation to the genitourinary area.
• Take a probiotic product containing Lactobacilli to help supply the genitourinary tract with good bugs. For more on this see: Probiotics for urinary health.

References available upon request