Does cranberry juice really help with UTIs?

Yes, but cranberry supplements are more effective than juice. A 2023 Cochrane Review of 50 trials found cranberry products reduce UTI risk by about 27%. Look for supplements standardized to 36mg proanthocyanidins (PACs) daily.

How much water should I drink with a UTI?

Increasing water intake helps flush bacteria from the urinary tract. A 2018 study in JAMA Internal Medicine found that women who increased water intake by 1.5 liters per day had 48% fewer recurrent UTIs than the control group.

Can probiotics help prevent UTIs?

Certain Lactobacillus strains (especially L. rhamnosus and L. reuteri) may help prevent recurring UTIs by maintaining healthy vaginal flora. A 2024 meta-analysis supports their use alongside cranberry for prevention.

Natural Remedies for UTI

Home remedies and natural supplements that may help prevent and ease urinary tract infections. Below you'll find evidence-based remedies that grandmothers have used for generations, now verified by modern medical research.

📚 2 sources cited🌿 2 remedies reviewed

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1. Cranberry

★★★★★

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How It Helps

Cranberries contain proanthocyanidins (PACs) that prevent E. coli bacteria from adhering to the urinary tract walls, reducing the risk of infection.

🔬 What the Research Says

A 2023 Cochrane review of 50 trials with 8,857 participants found cranberry products reduced UTI risk by 25-30%, particularly in women with recurrent UTIs.

[1] Cranberries for preventing urinary tract infections (Cochrane Review) - Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2023)

📋 How to Use

Drink unsweetened cranberry juice (avoid cocktail versions with added sugar) or take cranberry extract supplements. Best used as prevention, not treatment of active infections.

💊 Dosage

36mg PACs daily via supplements, or 8-16oz unsweetened cranberry juice daily.

⚠️ Side Effects & Cautions

Safe for most people. High doses may cause stomach upset. May interact with warfarin (blood thinner).

🛒 Recommended Products

AZO Cranberry Urinary Tract Health

★★★★★ 4.5 · $8-12

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Nature's Way CranRich Cranberry

★★★★ 4.4 · $10-15

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Read the full Cranberry for UTI guide →

🧄

2. Garlic

★★★★★

Did this remedy work for you?

How It Helps

Garlic contains allicin, a potent antimicrobial compound that has shown activity against many UTI-causing bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant strains of E. coli.

🔬 What the Research Says

Research published in the Pertanika Journal of Tropical Agricultural Science (2015) found garlic extract demonstrated significant antibacterial activity against multi-drug resistant UTI bacteria.

[1] Antibacterial Activity of Garlic Extract Against UTI Pathogens - Pertanika Journal (2015)

📋 How to Use

Eat 2-3 cloves of raw garlic daily (crush and let sit 10 minutes before consuming to activate allicin). Can be added to food or taken as aged garlic extract supplements.

💊 Dosage

2-3 raw garlic cloves daily, or 600-1200mg aged garlic extract.

⚠️ Side Effects & Cautions

Garlic breath and body odor. May cause heartburn. Avoid high doses if on blood thinners or before surgery.

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Kyolic Aged Garlic Extract

★★★★★ 4.6 · $15-22

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Read the full Garlic for UTI guide →

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Last reviewed: February 2026