Why Men over 55 Need Cranberries

by Ward W. Bond, PhD

​When we think of cranberry, we think of a glass of red juice or we think of a woman with a urinary tract infection. But why should men be drinking cranberry juice or taking a cranberry extract?

When men are over the age of 55, in most cases the prostate gland will enlarge. The enlargement of the prostate is called benign prostatic hyperplasia. This type of prostate enlargement isn't thought to be a precursor to prostate cancer. With this condition, the urinary stream may be weak, or stop and start. In some cases, it can lead to infection, bladder stones, and reduced kidney function.

Cranberry juice or extracts will not reduce the size of an enlarged prostate, but when the prostate is enlarged and urine flow is weak the urine will stay in the bladder longer. This is due to the bladder not emptying out completely during urination. This is the reason men will have to go to the bathroom more. It’s not because they need to pee more, but because when the bladder is not completely empty, you have the urge to go more times until the bladder is empty.

The reason for cranberry is to prevent the urine that sits in the bladder from causing infection and it could very well lower the risk of bladder cancer. Bladder cancer occurs mainly in older people. About 9 out of 10 people with this cancer are over the age of 55. The average age at the time of diagnosis is 73. Overall, the chance men will develop this cancer during their life is about 1 in 27.

So my simply drinking organic cranberry juice each morning or taking a cranberry extract daily can help improve bladder health and prevent possible infections or even cancer when men are dealing with an enlarged prostate gland.
​Men, you need to get yearly prostate check ups to ensure optimal health and to prevent more serious problems in the future.