Cranberry juice is it an old wives tale?

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Does anyone know if Cranberry juice is actually effective for a uti/kidney infection?
I am pretty sure DS has one. I have handed a sample in to the doctors this morning but he is all miserable have given him paracetamol and a hot water bottle for his back.

I remembered years ago someone saying cranberry juice was good for uti's. It is about a 20 min walk to the shop and it is peeing it down here. I don't mind doing the journey if it will actually help but I am not going if it's an old wives tale.

I've found it's worked for me in the past, but more at the point where I can feel a UTI developing rather than when it's full blown. Hope your DS feels better soon!

Latest research suggests it isn’t helpful. Won’t harm but won’t help

I take cranberry tablets and it seems to work for me.

No I think research has proven it to be ineffective. You’re better off with lots of water.

Masses of water. Can help flush it through, at the very least will dilute the symptoms.

I've never seen a cranberry juice drink that didn't also contain sugar in some form - water is more effective.

I have long history of kidney problems since being little. They used to say cranberry was a good preventative as it stopped bacteria sticking to the urinary tract. But they don't say that any more. The best thing is loads of water, or any fluid that he'll drink really. Paracetamol will help too. Hopefully you'll get results soon.

A doctor in a&e told me I had the beginnings of a uti and to drink cranberry juice. She did also tell me to drink water though. Seemed to help me then. Hope your DS feels better soon.

It's a myth. Plus all the drinks contain masses of sugar to make them palatable.

The only study suggesting it helps prevent, not treat, UTIs says the effect is mild and the work was unsurprisingly sponsored by Ocean Spray, a major producer of cranberry juice.

Thanks he has been gulping water fingers crossed he wakes up feeling better today

DH swears by it! Hope your DS is ok

I find sugar free lemon barley water much more effective.
Or a few sachets of cystopurin, but I'm not sure of the minimum age for that so check with your Dr or pharmacist.

My SiL says she’s never had cystitis since years ago when she started taking a cranberry tablet every day.
Could be just luck, who knows. But I think she had it several times before.
As a pp said, I gather it’s supposed to be preventive, rather than a cure, purely because it makes the urinary tract less attractive to the nasty bacteria.

Yes and no. Ocean spray type stuff is too sugary and acidic and can inflame an already uncomfortable bladder.
Hibiscus, which is a common ingredient in fruit teas can also help.
D-mannose is the active substance that's in cranberry juice that stops e-coli from proliferating and is very successful.
Both cranberry juice and d-mannose will only work on e-coli infections, which are the most common culprits, but not the only offenders.
Barley water is good. Preferably home made. Boil organic barley keep the water to drink through the day. It can be warmed by adding a third hot water to it in a cup, add a squeeze of lemon and tiny amount of honey to sweeten.
Sodium bicarb will help lessen symptoms at a push off you have that in as it will make urine more alkaline.