The long-held belief that cranberry juice can prevent UTIs is not just a myth, according to a Cochrane review showing it cuts the risk of recurrence by almost a third in susceptible patients. 

Australian researchers behind the updated review found moderate certainty evidence that cranberry products — juice, tablets and capsules — reduced UTI risk by 30% versus placebo or no treatment. 

Data from nearly 9000 patients from 50 clinical trials also suggest a 26% lower risk of symptomatic, culture-verified UTIs in women with recurrent infections. 

Even greater reductions of 54% and 53% were seen in children and patients who have undergone an intervention involving the bladder, respectively.