Cranberry
Cranberry supplements in capsules, tablets and extracts. We explain why the PAC content on the label matters more than a big milligram equivalent, and how to read cranberry strength claims before you buy.Read more →
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What to look for in a cranberry extract
Cranberry is the berry of Vaccinium macrocarpon, a low shrub grown mainly in North America. The compounds that supplement labels talk about are proanthocyanidins, usually shortened to PACs. These are plant compounds from the fruit, the same family that gives the berry its deep colour. Fresh cranberries taste sharp and sour, so most people meet them as sweetened juice or sauce. A capsule or tablet skips the sugar.
Big milligram numbers on cranberry labels explained
UK shelves are full of cranberry tablets promising 5,000 mg, 15,000 mg, even 30,000 mg. Those are equivalence figures, not the amount inside the tablet. A 300 mg dose of a 50:1 extract can be described as 15,000 mg of cranberry, because that 300 mg was made from 15,000 mg of dried berry. The tablet still holds 300 mg. A bigger front-of-pack number is therefore no proof of a stronger product. You will find both concentrated extracts and whole-berry powders in our wider range of herbal supplements.
The figure that lets you compare products is the PAC content in milligrams, measured with the DMAC method. Research on cranberry has mostly worked with around 36 mg of soluble PACs per day, which is why standardised extracts print that figure on the label. Many budget tablets state no PAC content at all. When it is missing, you have no way to compare one product with another, so this is the first thing to check.
How we choose cranberry at BONO
We judge cranberry on three things: the form of the extract, the dose you actually get, and the combinations that make sense. We prefer extracts that state their PAC content in milligrams, because that is the only number you can compare between brands. Whole-berry powders still have a place at a lower price, and we say so plainly instead of dressing them up. We buy directly from the brands, so every batch is authentic, and our compliance team checks each product before it goes live. We also test products ourselves and have independent labs spot-check batches. You can read how we select brands and products.
The format changes your daily routine, not the strength
What is inside matters more than the shell around it, but the format still decides whether you keep taking it. Tablets are usually the lowest cost per day and often the largest to swallow. Capsules are smaller and easier if big tablets put you off. Gummies taste better, yet they normally carry less cranberry per serving plus a sweetener. Liquid drops suit anyone who cannot swallow pills at all.
Who cranberry suits, and what to expect
Cranberry is mainly chosen by people who want a daily routine without drinking sweetened juice, and it is a popular pick among women looking at urinary health options. We stay careful with wording: the European food safety authority (EFSA) has not approved a health claim for cranberry, so you will not read one from us. Where a product also contains vitamin C, that vitamin carries an approved claim: it contributes to the normal function of the immune system.
Cranberry is often taken alongside D-Mannose or live bacteria cultures, and you can browse our supplements with live cultures if that combination fits your routine. Treat it as a habit rather than a quick fix: give two to three weeks of consistent daily use before you judge whether it earns a place in your cupboard. One practical note for the UK: if you take warfarin, national guidance is to avoid cranberry juice and cranberry products, so speak to your GP or pharmacist first.
Frequently asked questions
What is cranberry and where does it come from?
Cranberry is the fruit of Vaccinium macrocarpon, a low evergreen shrub grown in wet, sandy beds, mostly in North America. The berries are small, deep red and very sour, which is why juices and sauces are usually sweetened. Supplements use the dried berry or a concentrated extract of it, so you get the fruit compounds, including proanthocyanidins (PACs), without the added sugar of a sweetened drink.
What does 5,000 mg or 30,000 mg cranberry on the label actually mean?
It is an equivalence figure, not the weight in the tablet. Extracts are made at a ratio, for example 50:1. Take 200 mg of a 25:1 extract and the label can say 5,000 mg cranberry, because 200 mg of extract came from 5,000 mg of dried berry. The capsule still contains 200 mg. So two products with very different headline numbers can be almost identical, and a higher number on its own tells you nothing about strength.
Why does PAC content matter more than the extract ratio?
PACs, or proanthocyanidins, are the cranberry compounds most research focuses on. Their level depends on the plant material and the extraction method, not just the ratio, so two 50:1 extracts can differ. Studies have commonly used around 36 mg of soluble PACs a day, measured with the DMAC laboratory method. A brand that states PAC milligrams on the label has measured them. A brand that stays silent leaves you guessing, which makes honest comparison impossible.
Which form of cranberry should I choose?
The extract inside matters most, but the format decides how easily you keep it up.
| Form | What you get | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| Standardised extract capsule | Stated PAC content | Comparing products |
| Concentrated tablet | Equivalence figure only | Lower cost per day |
| Whole-berry powder | Whole fruit, low concentration | Food-first approach |
| Gummies | Less cranberry, added sweetener | People who dislike pills |
| Liquid drops | Flexible serving | Trouble swallowing |
If you want to compare like with like, start with a standardised extract that prints its PAC content.
When and how should I take cranberry supplements?
Most cranberry products are taken once or twice daily with a meal and a full glass of water, following the label. Food helps if the extract feels harsh on an empty stomach. Splitting a double dose between morning and evening keeps the intake spread through the day, which is what most study protocols did. Keep the timing consistent rather than perfect, and allow two to three weeks of daily use before drawing conclusions.
Can I combine cranberry with D-Mannose, vitamin C or live cultures?
Yes, and many UK products already do. D-Mannose is a simple sugar sold as a separate ingredient and often paired with cranberry in one formula; if you want it on its own, see our D-Mannose selection. Added vitamin C is common and carries its own approved claim. Live bacteria cultures are a third frequent partner. Combinations are convenient, but check each dose: a blend sometimes carries less cranberry than a single-ingredient capsule.
How much vitamin C is in a cranberry supplement with added vitamin C?
It varies widely, from roughly the UK reference amount to several hundred milligrams per serving. The official UK figures give you a sense of scale.
| Vitamin C guidance (UK) | Amount |
|---|---|
| Adults 19 to 64, daily need | 40 mg |
| Usually met by | A varied diet |
| Supplement level linked to stomach pain and diarrhoea | Above 1,000 mg a day |
Who should be careful with cranberry supplements?
If you take warfarin, UK guidance is clear: avoid cranberry juice and cranberry products, because they can increase the effect of the medicine. Speak to your GP, pharmacist or anticoagulant clinic first. If you take other prescription medicines, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a history of kidney stones, check before starting. Cranberry supplements are food supplements, not medicines, and they do not replace treatment for an infection. See your GP if you have symptoms.
