Givaudan’s cranberry ingredient reduces UTI risk in women, study finds

Givaudan’s 100% whole cranberry ingredient, Pacran, reduces the occurrence of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women prone to recurrent infections, according to a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. This is the third study confirming the ingredient’s effectiveness in supporting urinary tract health.

“We are delighted to share the findings from this recent study, which demonstrates Pacran’s effectiveness in enhancing women’s health,” says Pascale Fança-Berthon, the category technical leader for health at Givaudan Taste & Wellbeing. “Similar to previous Pacran clinical trials, the new study shows that Pacran can reduce UTI recurrence, time to first UTI, and the average number of UTIs.”

“The study also offered new data confirming Pacran’s effectiveness on the hallmark symptoms of UTI — frequency and urgency. With this study, we demonstrate the repeatability of the clinical benefit of Pacran, which becomes the cranberry ingredient with the highest level of evidence for reducing the incidence of UTIs.”

Combating UTIs

Published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the clinical trial involved 150 women aged 18 to 65 who had experienced recurrent UTIs in the past year. Over a six-month period, participants received either a daily 500 mg dose of Pacran or a placebo.

The results reveal a 52% reduction in the relative risk of culture-confirmed UTIs for those taking Pacran compared to the placebo group. Additionally, there was a 51% decrease in culture-confirmed Escherichia coli UTIs, suggesting a broad protective effect. 

The study also found that the time to first UTI occurrence was extended by 64% for those supplementing with Pacran, which highlights the ingredient’s potential role in delaying infection recurrence. Additionally, participants taking Pacran experienced 59% fewer UTIs over six months, reinforcing its long-term benefits.

Furthermore, the trial reported a 58% decrease in UTIs accompanied by symptoms, improving overall patient comfort. The ingredient reduced culture-confirmed UTIs causing urinary urgency and frequency by 71%, which the company says underscores Pacran’s effectiveness.

Boosting women’s health

Givaudan spotlights that Pacran is a “clean label” and “cost-effective” cranberry ingredient with approved health claims in the US, Canada, Colombia, and South Korea.

Givaudan also emphasizes that cranberry has long been associated with urinary tract health, with 63% of consumers recognizing its benefits for women’s health and 49% linking it specifically to UTI prevention.

Moreover, the company points out that since UTIs are among the most common outpatient infections — with 60% of women experiencing at least one in their lifetime and up to 40% suffering recurrent infections — these findings present an important step forward in offering a clinically validated, natural, and preventive solution.