The National Kidney Foundation, a major voluntary nonprofit health organization, is dedicated to preventing kidney and urinary tract diseases, improving the health and well-being of individuals and families affected by kidney disease and increasing the availability of all organs for transplantation.
The Cranberry Marketing Committee, and the National Kidney Foundation have forged a "Partnership in Education" in order to provide consumers everywhere with a resource for information concerning urinary tract health in hopes that cranberries can help to reduce the number of urinary tract infections which can lead to more serious diseases like kidney disease.
Urinary Tract Health & Beyond
For many years, people thought drinking cranberry juice was beneficial because the juice was thought to increase the acidity of urine in the bladder and therefore kill the bacteria that cause urinary tract infections, which we now know is not true. Cranberries contain compounds called proanthocyanidins (PACs) that have strong bacterial anti-adhesion properties. PACs interfere with the ability of bacteria to adhere to the cells that line the bladder wall. Instead of sticking to the bladder wall and causing an infection (and the subsequent pain), the bacteria get flushed out in the urine.
While other foods like apple juice, grape juice and green tea contain proanthocyanidins (PACs), cranberries are the only food that contain PACs with A-type linkages (as opposed to B-type linkages). The unique molecular structure explains why cranberries are the only food associated with urinary tract health.
Researchers are now seeing this same anti-adhesion effect may help prevent other types of infections involving host-tissue bacteria such as H. pylori, a major cause of gastric ulcers. In addition, the antioxidant properties of the cranberry's unique A-type PACs, may have a range of other health benefits, including the support of cardiovascular health and reduction of the risk for some cancers.
For more health and research information please visit the Cranberry Institute.
Partnership in Education
The National Kidney Foundation has created a comprehensive user-friendly web page dedicated to urinary tract health. This all new page includes facts about UTI's, a quiz, a blog with Dr. Leslie Spry answering your health questions within 48 hrs, cranberry recipes, and information on prevention, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of urinary tract infections. Visit the NKF's Urinary Tracy Health page now at www.myUThealth.org.
View press release:
National Kidney Foundation and Cranberry Marketing Committee Forge New Partnership to Promote Urinary Tract Health
Download:
