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The red fruits of Vaccinium macrocarpon Aiton, called cranberry, are well known to most of us. They have been used in jams, fruit juices, and as a coloring for many other food products. While some of these components have bacteriostatic activity, it seems that an uncharacterized polymer in these fruits acts as a potent anti-adhesive. This compound seems to prevent E. coli (the primary cause of chronic UTIs) from attaching to the lining of the urinary tract; thus preventing an infection. The cranberry fructose may assist in this function. Cranberry is quite acidic and is not recommended to be taken with arbutin containing products (Uva Ursi, etc) as they will only work in a basic pH. Cranberry extract is also available in powder form.
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