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'Time To Move On From Cranberries': Doctors Say Cranberry Juice Does Nothing To Prevent UTIs

BOSTON (CBS) -- Sorry, cranberry lovers.

While it's been said that eating cranberries or drinking their juice can help with urinary tract infections, the latest research says that's just a myth.

A new study in the Journal of the American Medical Associated found that cranberry capsules didn't do much to prevent or cure UTIs in a study of nursing home patients.

Over a one-year period, 92 woman who received cranberry capsules had the same likelihood of developing a UTI as those who took a placebo.

cranberry-bog
(Photo by Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images)

Dr. Lindsay E. Nicolle concludes that "it is time to move on from cranberries."

"The evidence. . . is convincing that cranberry products should not be recommended as a medical intervention for the prevention of UTI," she writes. "Clinicians who encourage such use are doing their patients a disservice."

Researchers say traditional medications are much more effective.

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