Cranberry extract for urinary tract infection treatment in pregnancy: A systematic review

HIGHLIGHTS Cranberry is a promising effective alternative treatment and prevention for UTIs in pregnancy. Cranberry inhibits urinary tract bacteria adhesion and has antibacterial effects. ABSTRACT Objective: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) rank as the second most prevalent infectious condition globally, impacting approximately 150 million individuals each year. Due to anatomical and physiological changes, UTIs are particularly common during pregnancy, presenting with symptoms such as dysuria, turbid urine, increased urinary frequency, and occasionally hematuria. Recurrent UTIs are characterized by two or more episodes within six months or three within a year. Cranberries are widely acknowledged for their role in preventing UTIs during pregnancy. Their preventive mechanism involves inhibiting uropathogenic bacterial adhesion to the urinary tract epithelium, facilitated by phenolic compounds and A-type proanthocyanidins (PACs). Materials and Methods: In this systematic review, the authors PubMed, ScienceDirect, ResearchGate, and Google Scholar for relevant articles published between 2013 and 2024. The search strategy utilized Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) and keyword terms related to Cranberry Extract/Juice and UTI Measurement Methods in Pregnancy. Search phrases were tailored to each database to enhance retrieval accuracy. All retrieved articles were evaluated in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Results: Among the 30 studies reviewed, a daily dose of 500 mg cranberry extract over six months demonstrated promising efficacy as an alternative treatment for UTIs in pregnancy. Conclusion: Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) extract effectively prevents UTIs by inhibiting bacterial adhesion and exerting antibacterial effects. This review confirms cranberry as a promising, safe alternative for UTI treatment and prevention in pregnancy, suitable for daily consumption.