Research synthesisLow evidenceMixed effect size4 studies · 2 beneficial · 2 neutral · 0 harmful
Across 4 studies, 2 reported beneficial effects and 2 neutral effects, with 2 reaching statistical significance. The predominant effect size is mixed (small to large), and the most recent and highest-quality evidence (a 2025 network meta-analysis) showed a large beneficial effect for triple therapy including cranberry. The median study duration was 126 days (4.5 months) in the one study that reported duration. The most studied population is adult women with recurrent UTIs.
- Studied populations: women with recurrent uncomplicated UTIs, clinical populations at increased risk of UTI
Caveats: Evidence base is small (only 4 studies) — conclusions should be considered preliminary. Many of the included studies did not reach statistical significance — effect may be smaller than the predominant direction suggests. The most robust study (2025 meta-analysis) evaluated cranberry as part of a triple therapy (with probiotics and vitamin A), making the specific contribution of cranberry alone unclear.
Generated Jun 10, 2026