Cranberry And UTI Prevention: What The Research Actually Shows
Cranberry is the most researched botanical in urinary wellness, with a genuinely solid evidence base centered on a specific class of compounds called proanthocyanidins.
Understanding what a landmark Cochrane review actually found, and where it falls short, helps set realistic expectations.
What are proanthocyanidins (PACs)?
Cranberries contain a specific type of compound called A-type proanthocyanidins, thought to work by making it harder for certain bacteria, particularly E. coli, to adhere to the bladder wall lining. This is a genuinely different mechanism than a general antioxidant claim.
What the Cochrane review found
Why standardization matters
Not all cranberry supplements are created equal. Many cheap products contain minimal or unstandardized PAC content, meaning the amount of the active compound varies unpredictably. Products standardized to a specific PAC percentage, such as 30%, give a clearer picture of what you're actually getting.
What the evidence does not support
Cranberry does not treat an active UTI once symptoms have started — that requires medical evaluation and, often, antibiotics. It is studied for prevention in people prone to recurrence, not as a treatment. It also is not effective against every cause of urinary discomfort; UTIs are just one of several possible causes of bladder symptoms.
Applying this to FemiCore
FemiCore includes cranberry extract standardized to 30% PAC, one of the more meaningful standardizations in this category. See our full breakdown on FemiCore's ingredients. Given the genuinely solid Cochrane-level evidence for cranberry specifically, this is a defensible core ingredient choice — though it remains a supplement, not an antibiotic or treatment for an active infection.
