Combatting Urinary Tract Infections with Cranberry Juice

According to Prevention Magazine, the most effective herb for preventing urinary tract infections (UTIs) is cranberry. The sweetened, diluted juice contains fructose and condensed tannins (proanthocyanidins), which act as a sort of Teflon finish inside the urinary tract. This helps prevent infective organisms, like E.coli, from attaching to the surface cells. Each time urination occurs, the bacteria is swept from the tract before they have the opportunity to multiply and produce an infection.
Drinking as little as 3 ounces (only 1/3 of which is pure juice) of cranberry juice cocktail every day can prevent recurrent infection. If you´ve got a full-blown infection, up to 1 quart daily may be necessary to be effective - or one could take up to 6 cranberry capsules a day.