{"id":28804,"date":"2022-02-10T03:22:04","date_gmt":"2022-02-10T03:22:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/?p=28804"},"modified":"2022-04-05T21:19:02","modified_gmt":"2022-04-05T21:19:02","slug":"cranberry-pac-urinary-tract-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/cranberry-pac-urinary-tract-health\/","title":{"rendered":"Cranberry PACs Are Like Magic for Your Urinary Tract, According to An RD"},"content":{"rendered":"

Want to improve your overall urinary tract health? Cranberry PACs can help. Gaby Vaca-Flores, RD, HUM\u2019s educational specialist,<\/a> breaks down everything you need to know about cranberry and urinary tract health.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

You\u2019ve heard it a million times before: Drinking cranberry juice can help cure your UTI. But what\u2019s the real deal with cranberry and urinary tract health? Although cranberries are 90 percent water<\/a>, they’re loaded with a powerful compound that promotes a healthy urinary tract, called cranberry PACs.<\/p>\n\n\n

Proanthocyanidins<\/a>, or PACs, are flavonoids (which are plant compounds found in deep-colored fruits and vegetables<\/a>). They are rich in antioxidants, which help fight inflammation<\/a> and support a healthy system. But how exactly do these particular flavonoids affect your urinary health? Find out the connection between cranberry and urinary tract health<\/a>, how cranberry PACs work, and if you should be consuming fresh cranberries, cranberry juice, or a cranberry urinary tract supplement for improved health down there.<\/p>\n\n\n

What are Cranberry PACs?<\/h2>\n\n\n

PACs are phytochemicals belonging to the polyphenol family. They are also sometimes referred to as oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs), flavonoids, and condensed tannins.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

In the body, PACs are often called \u2018offense and defense\u2019 compounds for their ability to promote health in a number of ways. They play an offensive role in protecting your body by exerting themselves as antibacterial and antioxidants. But they also play defensive roles by being cardio- and neuroprotective.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

PACs are naturally present in many plants including flowers, seeds, and bark. They\u2019re also found in everyday foods<\/a> including berries with deep hues like black elderberry, blueberries, and cranberries. In fact, PACs help give these foods their blue, red, and purple pigmentation.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

Cranberries, in particular, are a goldmine for PACs because they are loaded with A-type proanthocyanidins. A-type PACs<\/a> are known to be the best for supporting urinary tract health.<\/p>\n\n\n

How Cranberry PACs Can Support Urinary Tract Health\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Why is it so important to have a healthy urinary tract system? The body relies on a healthy urinary tract to filter blood and remove waste through urine.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

Unfortunately, imbalances or an accumulation of bacteria, such as Escherichia coli<\/em>, <\/em>can compromise the urinary tract. Things like dehydration, going too long without peeing, spinal injuries, and hormonal changes can all cause imbalances. Signs that you may have an imbalance include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n