Cranberry

Common Name(s)

cranberry, American cranberry, large cranberry

Scientific Name(s)

Vaccinium macrocarpon

General Information

Cranberries are the fruit of a native plant of North America. These red berries are used in foods and in herbal products.

How is this product usually used?

The berries are used to produce beverages and many other food products, as well as dietary supplements in the form of extracts, capsules, or tablets.

When taken as fresh fruit, it’s recommended not to exceed 30 g per day. When taken as juice concentrate, do not exceed 950 mL per day. When taken as dried fruit juice, do not exceed 1,200 mg per day. Cranberry should not be used by those under 18 years of age.

What is this product used for?

Cranberry is often used as a source of antioxidants. It’s also used to help prevent recurrent urinary tract infections.

Your health care provider may have recommended this product for other conditions. Contact a health care provider if you have questions.

What else should I be aware of?

There is some evidence that cranberry can help to prevent urinary tract infections; however, the evidence is not definitive, and more research is needed. Cranberry has not been shown to be effective as a treatment for an existing urinary tract infection. There is limited evidence to support its efficacy for other uses.

Drinking cranberry juice products appears to be safe, although excessive amounts could cause gastrointestinal upset or diarrhea.

Cranberry may interact with:

• atorvastatin
• medications metabolized by liver enzyme cytochrome P450 3A4 (e.g., clarithromycin, cyclosporine, diltiazem)
• nifedipine
• warfarin

People who think they have a urinary tract infection should see a health care provider for proper diagnosis and treatment. Contact your doctor if you have a history of kidney stones or if you are taking blood thinners.

Cranberry juice contains salicylic acid. Do not take cranberry juice if you have an allergy to aspirin.

Before taking any new medications, including natural health products, speak to your physician, pharmacist, or other health care provider. Tell your health care provider about any natural health products you may be taking.

Source(s)

1. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. Cranberry.
2. Health Canada. Drugs & Health Products. Monograph – Cranberry – Vaccinium Macrocarpon. https://webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca/nhpid-bdipsn/atReq.do?atid=cranberry.canneberge&lang=eng.
3. Health Canada. Drugs & Health Products. Monograph – Dried Cranberry Juice. https://webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca/nhpid-bdipsn/atReq.do?atid=cranberry.dried.canneberge.deshydrate&lang=eng.