Cranberry is a North American fruit known scientifically as Vaccinium macrocarpon and is widely used in natural health products focused on urinary wellness.
At Village Vitamin Store, you can compare Cranberry concentrates, capsules, gummies, cranberry juice powders and Cranberry with D-Mannose formulas from established wellness brands. Village Vitamin Store
What Is Cranberry Extract?
Cranberry supplements are generally made from the fruit of Vaccinium macrocarpon.
Health Canada recognizes American cranberry, cranberry and large cranberry as common names for Vaccinium macrocarpon. Cranberry natural health products may use fresh or dried fruit preparations as well as concentrated extracts and cranberry juice powders.
Because different products use different concentrations, two Cranberry supplements displaying similar milligram amounts may not provide the same amount of original fruit.
What Are Cranberry PACs?
PACs, or proanthocyanidins, are naturally occurring compounds found in cranberries.
Some Cranberry supplements identify the amount of PACs provided per serving, giving shoppers another way to compare concentrated cranberry products.
PAC content can vary between cranberry preparations, so it is useful to compare the PAC amount together with the extract concentration, serving size and product directions. Research into cranberry and recurrent urinary tract infections has focused in part on these naturally occurring compounds.
How to Choose a Cranberry Supplement
Cranberry Extract
Concentrated Cranberry extracts may represent a much larger amount of original fruit than the extract weight shown on the label.
Extract Ratio
Products may list ratios such as 10:1, 25:1, 35:1 or another concentration. The ratio helps describe how much original botanical material was used to produce the extract.
PAC Content
Some products identify their proanthocyanidin content. Compare the amount per serving rather than assuming every Cranberry concentrate provides the same amount.
Cranberry with D-Mannose
Village Vitamin Store carries formulas combining Cranberry with D-Mannose, including capsules and powders. Village Vitamin Store
Product Format
Cranberry is available in capsules, softgels, gummies and powders, making it possible to choose a format that fits your preferences.
NPN
For Canadian natural health products, check the Natural Product Number for the exact medicinal ingredients, authorized uses, dose and cautions.
Cranberry and Urinary Tract Health
Urinary tract health is one of the primary reasons people shop for Cranberry supplements.
Health Canada's current Cranberry guidance recognizes products that are traditionally used in Herbal Medicine to help prevent recurrent urinary tract infections, including in women. Certain licensed Canadian products also carry authorized wording related to helping prevent urinary tract infections.
The exact authorized use depends on the product, preparation and NPN.
Cranberry for UTI Prevention vs Treatment
Cranberry is associated with prevention of recurrent UTIs, not treatment of an active urinary tract infection.
Current evidence suggests Cranberry products may help reduce the risk of recurrent symptomatic UTIs in some women, but Cranberry is not recommended as a treatment for an existing UTI.
If urinary symptoms are persistent or worsening, follow the product directions and seek appropriate healthcare advice.
Cranberry Extract vs Cranberry Juice
Cranberry supplements and cranberry juice are different product formats.
A concentrated extract may provide the equivalent of a much larger amount of cranberry fruit in a small capsule or serving. Cranberry juice powders are another concentrated preparation recognized in Canadian natural health products.
When comparing products, check:
- Extract ratio
- Dried-fruit equivalent
- PAC content where provided
- Serving size
- Sugar and other ingredients
- NPN-authorized use
Cranberry and D-Mannose
Cranberry and D-Mannose frequently appear together in urinary-wellness formulas.
Village Vitamin Store currently carries several products that combine these two ingredients, including powders and capsules. Village Vitamin Store
The two ingredients are different substances, so shoppers should check the amount of each medicinal ingredient rather than treating a Cranberry and D-Mannose combination as equivalent to a single-ingredient Cranberry supplement.
Cranberry as a Source of Antioxidants
Cranberries naturally contain plant compounds with antioxidant properties.
Health Canada's current cranberry guidance recognizes Cranberry preparations as a source of antioxidants for the maintenance of good health.
The exact authorized claim depends on the individual licensed product.
Important Cranberry Safety Considerations
Health Canada's current cranberry guidance advises consulting a healthcare professional before use if you have a history of kidney stones or are taking blood-thinning medications.
Individual combination formulas may have additional cautions based on ingredients such as D-Mannose, vitamins, minerals or other botanicals.
Always follow the directions and cautions on the specific product.
Shop Cranberry Supplements Online in Canada
Browse Cranberry products at Village Vitamin Store to compare Cranberry capsules, concentrated extracts, gummies, juice powders and Cranberry with D-Mannose formulas.
Compare the extract concentration, PAC content where provided, serving size, additional medicinal ingredients and NPN before selecting a product.
