Can Cherry Juice Treat or Prevent Urinary Tract Infections?

If you're experiencing the discomfort of a urinary tract infection (UTI), it's understandable that you'd look to quick and accessible remedies like tart cherry juice for relief.

Unfortunately, there's no clinical evidence to suggest tart cherry powder, cherry juice, or any other cherry product can help with bladder infections or urinary tract infections.

Some people may be curious about cherry juice as a treatment for UTIs because it’s been studied for its potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Additionally, people may confuse cherry juice with cranberry juice, which has a much broader — though conflicting — set of clinical studies to back its use.

Here’s what you need to know about prevention and treatment of UTIs, including what the science says about the medicinal use of cherry and cranberry products.

What Are UTIs?

A UTI can affect any part of the urinary system, including the bladder, kidneys, ureters, or urethra, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Women are particularly at risk because of their shorter urethra, the tube leading up to the bladder. In women, the urethra opens right next to the anus and vagina — both ready sources of bacteria — and can therefore expose the urinary system to more bacteria.

Symptoms of a UTI can include the following, according to the CDC:

• Pain or burning while urinating
• Frequent urination (including getting up to pee at night)
• Feeling the need to urinate despite having an empty bladder
• Bloody, cloudy, or strong-smelling urine
• Pressure or cramping in the groin or lower abdomen

Does Tart Cherry Juice Help a UTI?

There is no evidence that tart cherry juice or any other cherry product will help relieve or prevent a UTI or bladder infection.

This belief may have arisen from research, like this frequently cited 2019 study on older adults in Nutrients, that shows tart cherry juice can have anti-inflammatory properties. But no studies support a direct relationship between cherry juice and the prevention or treatment of UTIs.

Cherry juice may also be confused with cranberry juice, a popular preventive treatment for UTIs.

So, Does Cranberry Juice Help a UTI?

Drinking cranberry juice is widely believed to help prevent urinary tract infections, according to Cleveland Clinic, and some recent research supports this.

For example, a 2024 systematic review published in European Eurology Focus found that cranberry juice and supplement products helped to prevent UTIs. But overall, studies have shown mixed results.

Additionally, current research does not support cranberry juice as a method of treating an existing UTI.

If you do decide to use cranberry juice to prevent UTI, keep in mind that over-the-counter drinks or supplements for any condition can sometimes have unexpected side effects, especially if you have a health condition.

Always talk to your doctor before starting an over-the-counter treatment like cranberry juice or supplements.

What Is the Typical Treatment for a UTI?

The typical course of treatment for a UTI begins by visiting your doctor, who will prescribe a course of antibiotics to clear up the infection, according to Michigan Medicine. They may also suggest drinking lots of fluids to help flush out the bacteria.

It's important to see your doctor as soon as possible for treatment. If left untreated, a UTI or bladder infection could move into your kidneys and cause further complications to your health, according to Mayo Clinic.

What Else Helps With a UTI?

The only clinically proven way to treat a urinary tract infection is to take a course of antibiotics as prescribed by your provider. Your provider may also prescribe a pain reliever for temporary relief, but antibiotics usually treat the symptoms quickly, according to Mayo Clinic.

If you struggle with recurring UTIs, there are several things you can do to help prevent an infection, according to Cleveland Clinic:

• ‌Wipe properly:‌ Especially for women, make sure to wipe from front to back to keep bacteria from your anus away from your urethra.
• ‌Stay regular: Having constipation or diarrhea can increase your chances of getting a UTI, so take steps to keep your bowel habits regular: Stay hydrated, eat a high-fiber diet, and get regular exercise.
• ‌Drink water: Getting enough fluids can help flush out bacteria that could potentially lead to an infection.
• ‌Choose your contraceptive wisely:‌ Avoid spermicide or barrier contraceptives like a diaphragm; talk to your doctor about other options.
• ‌Look into prescriptions:‌ Speak with your health care provider about prescription options that might work for you, such as topical estrogen for postmenopausal women or a single dose of oral antibiotic that can be taken before or after sex.