Research synthesisLow evidenceMixed effect size6 studies · 3 beneficial · 3 neutral · 0 harmful
Across 6 studies, 3 reported beneficial effects (ranging from small to large) and 3 reported neutral effects, with no harmful findings. The largest and highest-quality evidence (a 2025 network meta-analysis of 50 RCTs) found a large beneficial effect for cranberry-containing triple therapy in reducing UTI incidence. However, other studies, including a 2024 RCT and a 2013 systematic review, showed neutral results. The median study duration was approximately 5 months (153 days), but doses and forms were poorly reported, and effects were most studied in clinical populations (women with recurrent UTIs).
- Studied populations: women with recurrent UTIs / recurrent cystitis, pregnant women
Caveats: Available evidence is overwhelmingly positive — clinical literature in this area is subject to publication bias (null-result studies are less likely to be published or indexed). Most studies tested cranberry in combination with other agents (e.g., probiotics, propolis, acupuncture), making it difficult to isolate the effect of cranberry alone. Doses and forms were not consistently reported across studies. Many of the included studies did not reach statistical significance — effect may be smaller than the predominant direction suggests.
Generated Jul 13, 2026