Urinary Tract Infections and the Benefits of Blueberries
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are unpleasant; they can be an
irritating and painful recurring problem. For most people, UTIs
are caused by E. coli; though we all have E. Coli naturally in
our digestive tracts, it shouldn't be found in our urinary tracts.
If certain types of E. coli find their way into the bladder, where
there is normally a sterile environment, the bacteria can bring
on an infection.
Common Urinary Tract Treatments
The most common treatments for UTIs are either a course of antibiotics
and/or for the patient to drink blueberry or cranberry juice.
Antibiotics can work, but there is a 25% recurrence rate of infection
with this treatment; also, overuse of antibiotics can render the
body immune to that particular drug, which may be needed to fight
off some other, more serious infection down the road. The juice
option is OK, too, but most juices contain fructose, a simple
sugar that can threaten colon health.
Bulk up with Blueberries
Another option that has been getting more and more coverage is
to consume some form of blueberry or blueberry extract. Blueberries,
like cranberries, are a source of all kinds of nutrients that
are derived from their skin, which is full of pigments that release
a powerful dye called anthocyanin. To avoid the excess sugar associated
with cranberry juice, naturally sweetened blueberries are a choice
that is a lot more palatable to most people.
Blueberries contain certain substances and compounds that are
able to stop bacteria from attaching to the lining of the bladder;
this enables the bladder to "flush out" the bad bacteria
when urine is expelled. These substances include tannin-like compounds
that are called proanthocyanidins. Plus, blueberries in all their
forms are excellent sources of nutrition, and have been proven
to be help lower high blood pressure and high cholesterol, improve
eyesight and short-term memory, decreasing your risk of cancer,
fighting against neurological conditions, and preventing infection
and enhancing your immune system.
With all that to offer, plus the fact that they taste a whole
lot better than unsweetened cranberries or cranberry juice, blueberries
have a lot more to offer than just being a tasty pie filling!
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