Efficacy of Cranberry Juice and Asorbic Acid in Acidifying the Urine in Multiple Sclerosis Subjects

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of cranberry juice and ascorbic acid in acidifying the urine of subjects with multiple sclerosis. The major hypothesis for the study was that cranberry juice and ascorbic acid would lower the pH values of the urine more than orange juice and ascorbic acid. The difference in the pH values between morning and evening observations was also questioned. Eight subjects consumed 12 oz of cranberry juice and 1000 mg of ascorbic acid for 20 days of treatment and 12 oz of orange juice and 1000 mg of ascorbic acid for 20 days of control. Serving as their own control, the subjects were randomly assigned to begin the study with the cranberry juice or the orange juice treatment. Urinary pH values were measured using pHydrion paper. Recordings of the pH values were made by the subject or his or her family in the morning and in the evening. Using analysis of variance, it was found that the cranberry juice was significantly more effective than orange juice (p < .001) in acidifying the urine and the evening pH values were significantly (p<.001) lower than the morning pH values (N = 580.) The study suggests the need for further studies in order to examine varying amounts of cranberry juice and ascorbic acid needed to achieve and maintain bacteriostatic urine, a factor known to reduce the incidence of urinary tract infection.