Cranberry's proanthocyanidins type A (PACs-A) have a unique A-type linkage that physically prevents E. coli fimbriae (the bacterial appendages that grip bladder cells) from attaching to the uroepithelium. Without attachment, bacteria are flushed out during urination. This is a mechanical anti-adhesion effect, not antimicrobial, cranberry doesn't kill bacteria, it prevents them from colonizing. The same anti-adhesion mechanism applies to H. pylori in the stomach and oral bacteria on teeth.
No critical interactions identified at standard supplement doses.
Independently graded against 178,763 indexed supplements and 757 reviewed supplement and medication pairs, sourced from PubMed, FDA CAERS, openFDA, and NIH DSLD | Last updated:
Not medical advice. Based on published clinical research and systematic reviews.