SAFETY AND EFFICACY OF CRANBERRY (Vaccinium Macrocarpon) DURING PREGNANCY AND LACTATION

Main Article Content

Jean-Jacques Dugoua
Dugald Seely
Daniel Perri
Edward Mills
Gideon Koren

Keywords

Cranberry, vaccinium macrocarpon, pregnancy, lactation, breastfeeding, systematic review

Abstract

Background


There is a lack of basic knowledge on the part of both clinicians and patients as to the indications for use and safety of herbs used during pregnancy and lactation. This is one article in a series that systematically reviews the evidence for herbs commonly used during pregnancy and lactation.


 Objectives


To systematically review the literature for evidence on the use, safety and pharmacology of cranberry, focusing on issues pertaining to pregnancy and lactation.


 Methods


We searched 7 electronic databases and compiled data according to the grade of evidence found.


 Results


There is no direct evidence of safety or harm to the mother or fetus as a result of consuming cranberry during pregnancy. Indirectly, there is good scientific evidence that cranberry may be of minimal risk, where a survey of 400 pregnant women did not uncover any adverse events when cranberry was regularly consumed. In lactation, the safety or harm of cranberry is unknown.


 Conclusions


Women experience urinary tract infections with greater frequency during pregnancy. Given the evidence to  support  the  use  of  cranberry for  urinary tract infections  (UTIs)  and its safety profile,  cranberry supplementation as fruit or fruit juice may be a valuable therapeutic choice in the treatment of UTIs during pregnancy

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