Blueberries and The Treatment of Urinary Tract Infections
Researchers at Rutgers University, New Jersey in the USA, have identified a natural chemical compound in blueberries that promotes the health of the urinary tract, reducing the risk of infection.
The cause behind most bladder infections, is the bacteria E. coli, which adhere to the cells that line the walls of the urinary tract.
Researchers working at the Weizmann Institute of Science and Tel Aviv University in Israel discovered that blueberries contain compounds called proanthocyanidins that keep E. coli from attaching to the cells in the walls of the urinary tract, and so stop infections from taking hold.
Amy B. Howell, Ph.D., from the Research Group at Rutgers University in New Jersey concluded that a generous handful of blueberries a day will help prevent bladder infections and maintain urinary tract health.
In Sweden, dried blueberries are used to treat childhood diarrhea, which is sometimes linked to E.coli. This established practice is ascribed to the fact that anthocyanosides, a natural substance found in blueberries, is believed to be deadly to E. coli.
Since commercial blueberry juice is laden with sweetners, a
much healthier (and easier) option is to take blueberry supplements
(high potency).