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Cranberries- The Superfood to Stave Off Bladder
Infections
Cranberries may help to fight off urinary tract infections (UTIs).
They reduce the power of certain E. coli bacteria to adhere to and
penetrate the walls of the bladder.
In about half the cases of UTIs, the E. coli responsible have
special little hairy tips called P fimbria. The bacteria use their
fimbria to attach themselves to the bladder so that they can
multiply and cause an infection.
That's where cranberries--which
contain a group of chemicals called proanthocyanidins---come in.
They bind to the P fimbria of the E. coli and hinder them so they
are unable to sticking to the walls of the bladder. As a result,
the E. coli is flushed out in the urine instead of causing an
infection. And because cranberries remove rather than kill the
bacteria, there's less of a chance for the E. coli to become
resistant.
It's imperative that those who are prone to UTIs eat cranberries or
drink cranberry juice on a daily basis, because once the bacteria
are able to adhere to the wall, the infection sets in, and the
cranberries can't help at that point.
It's probably best to use cranberry products twice a day if you are
prone, as the effects of the cranberries wear off after about 10
hours.
You should also be diligent about drinking lots of fluids in order
to flush the bladder out on a regular basis. Citrus fruits and
fresh vegetables high in vitamin C are also good, as they help
boost the body's immunity and germ-fighting abilities. Coffee, tea
and other caffeinated beverages should be avoided, as well as
alcohol. Be sure to complement your diet with plenty of foods rich
in vitamin B, such as fortified cereals, lean proteins, asparagus,
almonds and bananas, as they all assist the body in the digestive
process and converting food to energy, which your body will need if
it's working to fend off a UTI.
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