'Is it true that cranberry juice is good for cystitis?'

our online advisors reply:

There is some scientific evidence that cranberries can help prevent urinary tract infections, which are a major cause of cystitis. Cranberries seem to help by making it more difficult for bacteria to 'stick' to the wall of the bladder. Our cranberries feature discusses the research, along with other suggestions for avoiding urinary tract infections.

The problem is that the cranberry has a very sharp flavour and can be difficult to take without it being sweetened. That's why the cranberry juice drinks that are widely available are made up of around a third cranberry juice with added water and sugar.

However, it is possible to get cranberry drinks that are sweetened with apple or grape juice rather than ordinary sugar or artificial sweeteners. We contacted a manufacturer of cranberry juice drinks and they said that, at the moment, their pure juice range is distributed centrally to Tesco, Waitrose and Somerfield supermarkets, but it's up to those companies to decide which stores actually stock the juices. I suggest you talk to the customer services department in your local supermarket if you want to try these juices.

Another option is to avoid juices altogether and try cranberry concentrate capsules or tablets instead. Nutritional therapists sometimes prescribe cranberry in this form. You can buy cranberry concentrate products from most health food shops.

Have you looked at how other alternative therapies can help with cystitis? If you haven't already, you may like to check out the cystitis article in the complementary medicine section of our site.

You don't say whether you have been to see your doctor about your cystitis, but I think this would be a good idea if you are suffering repeated bouts. Your doctor can arrange a urine test which should identify the precise cause of the problem. It may be that an antibiotic is the best treatment.

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