Apple vs Cranberry Juice for UTI Prevention in Healthy Women

Overseen By Shuhan Li, Master

Age: 18+

Sex: Female

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Florida

Disqualifiers: Obesity, Pregnancy, Smoking, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

Duration: 3 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to compare cranberry juice and apple juice in preventing urinary tract infections (UTIs) in healthy women. Researchers are investigating how the gut microbiome, the bacteria in the stomach, might influence the effectiveness of each juice in preventing UTIs. Participants will consume either cranberry juice or apple juice daily for three weeks. Women who are generally healthy, weigh at least 110 pounds, and do not smoke or frequently consume alcohol may be suitable for this study. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to contribute to understanding natural methods for preventing UTIs.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial excludes participants who take medications that might influence the study's outcome, so you may need to stop certain medications. It's best to discuss your specific medications with the trial team.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?

Research shows that cranberry juice is generally safe for daily consumption. Studies have found that drinking cranberry juice for up to a year doesn't cause major side effects. Most people tolerate it well, and it can even help lower the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs). The usual recommended amount is about 240–300 ml per day.

While specific research on apple juice for preventing UTIs is lacking, it remains a common drink and is considered safe for most people when consumed in moderation.

Overall, both juices are generally well-tolerated, and no significant negative effects have been reported when using them for UTI prevention. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial's treatments?

Researchers are excited about using cranberry and apple juice for UTI prevention because these options could offer a more natural and pleasant alternative to antibiotics, which are the standard treatment. Cranberry juice is believed to help prevent UTIs by preventing bacteria from sticking to the urinary tract walls, while apple juice offers a comparable option with matching sugar and calories for study purposes. This exploration into dietary methods for UTI prevention might provide a simpler, more enjoyable way for people to manage their health without the side effects associated with long-term antibiotic use.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for UTI prevention?

This trial will compare the effects of cranberry juice and apple juice on UTI prevention. Research has shown that drinking cranberry juice, which participants in this trial may receive, can lower the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs) by about 27% compared to a placebo. Studies involving thousands of people have found that cranberry products can reduce the chance of getting a UTI by about 30%. However, these results can vary from person to person, likely due to differences in gut bacteria, which influence how the body uses cranberry's active ingredients.

In contrast, apple juice, another treatment option in this trial, lacks strong evidence for preventing UTIs. Most research compares cranberry juice to apple juice, and apple juice has not demonstrated the same potential benefits. Therefore, based on current research, cranberry juice appears more promising for preventing UTIs. ^{3 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Gary P Wang, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Florida

Liwei Gu, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Florida

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for healthy women with a Body Mass Index (BMI) between 18.5 and 29.9, weighing at least 110 pounds. It's not suitable for those on medications that could affect the study results, pregnant or breastfeeding women, individuals with significant health issues, smokers, or frequent alcohol users.

Inclusion Criteria

I am a healthy woman.

I am a healthy woman.

Your body mass index (BMI) falls within a healthy range, which is typically between 18.5 and 29.9 kg/m2.

Exclusion Criteria

You smoke regularly or drink alcohol frequently.

You are pregnant or currently breastfeeding.

You have a medical condition that may make it difficult to understand or interpret the study results.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants consume either cranberry juice or apple juice daily for 3 weeks

3 weeks

Weekly visits for sample collection

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in gut microbiome and urinary biomarkers after treatment

4 weeks

1 visit (in-person)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Apple juice
• Cranberry juice

Trial Overview The study is examining how apple juice and cranberry juice might influence urinary tract infection (UTI) susceptibility in women by looking at their gut microbiome. The goal is to understand why cranberry juice has had mixed results in preventing UTIs.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Cranberry juice consumption Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants deemed as responders and non-responders will be given 20-30 oz (590-885 mL) of cranberry juice daily for 3 weeks.

Group II: Apple juice consumption Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants deemed as responders and non-responders will be given 20-30 oz (590-885 mL) apple juice with matching sugar and calories daily for 3 weeks.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Florida

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,428

Recruited

987,000+

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Collaborator

Trials

103

Recruited

287,000+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6186015/

Determination of Antimicrobial Activity of Some ... The results of lemon and strawberry can be considered to be used as an antimicrobial agent in treating urinary tract infections.

2. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0936655503001614

A Randomised Trial of Cranberry Versus Apple Juice in the ... The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of cranberry juice on the incidence of urinary tract infections and urinary symptoms in patients ...

3. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/259487909_Antibacterial_activity_of_Cashew_Anacardium_occidentale_L_apple_juice_against_antibiotic_resistant_urinary_tract_pathogens

Antibacterial activity of Cashew (Anacardium occidentale L. ... Inhibitory activity of condensed cashew apple juice was tested against five urinary tract pathogens by Agar well diffusion assay. Among Gram ...

4. nature.com nature.com/articles/s41585-018-0106-x

Nonantibiotic prevention and management of recurrent ... Potential nonantibiotic measures and treatments for UTIs include behavioural changes, dietary supplementation (such as Chinese herbal medicines and cranberry ...

5. clinicaloncologyonline.net clinicaloncologyonline.net/article/S0936-6555(03)00161-4/pdf

Original Article A Randomised Trial of Cranberry Versus ... A randomised controlled trial to evaluate the compara- tive effectiveness of cranberry juice and apple juice on urinary tract infections and acute radiation ...

6. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/apple-vs-cranberry-juice-for-uti-prevention-in-healthy-women-9ca54

Apple vs Cranberry Juice for UTI Prevention in Healthy ... Research shows that cranberry juice can help reduce bacteria in the urine and lower the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women. Several studies have ...

7. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7498302/

Natural therapeutics for urinary tract infections—a review This review highlights some of the medicinal herbs used by aborigines to prevent or treat acute or chronic urinary tract infections.

8. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9966151/

Natural Polyphenols for Prevention and Treatment of Urinary ... Specifically, one of the most studied procyanidin-based approaches for UTI treatment was the use of cranberry-based products (juice, powder, or ...

9. theurologyfoundation.org theurologyfoundation.org/urology-health/bladder-conditions/urinary-tract-infections-uti/

Urinary Tract Infections (UTI) Cranberry products, particularly cranberry juice and capsules have been studied extensively for their potential to prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs).