New research confirms Pacran’s™ effectiveness for urinary tract health

Randomised controlled trial on Pacran™ shows statistically significant and clinically relevant efficacy at reducing UTIs occurrence in women prone to UTIs, the third study of its kind on the ingredient

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The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition has published a new clinical study demonstrating that Pacran™, Givaudan’s 100% whole cranberry ingredient, supports urinary tract health by reducing both the relative risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs) and the average number of UTIs over six months compared to placebo.1  The study, entitled: Whole cranberry fruit powder supplement reduces the incidence of culture-confirmed urinary tract infections in females with a history of recurrent urinary tract infection: A 6-month multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, was conducted among 150 females who had experienced recurrent UTIs over the past 12 months.

“We are delighted to share the findings from this recent study, which demonstrates Pacran’s effectiveness in enhancing women’s health. Similar to previous Pacran™ clinical trials,2  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.“

Pascale Fança-Berthon, Category Technical Leader, Health, Givaudan Taste & Wellbeing

Pacran™ is a clean-label, cost-effective solution, and its benefits are supported by approved health claims in the USA, Canada, Colombia and South Korea.3,4,5,6  

Key findings

The randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled human intervention study examined the effect of Pacran™ on urinary tract infections (UTI) among 150 females aged 18-65 years. They were each given either a low daily dose of 500 mg of Pacran™ or a placebo for a period of 180 days. All participants had experienced recurrent UTIs over the last 12 months.
Key findings included statistically significant results:

 

  • 52% reduction in the relative risk of culture-confirmed urinary tract infections (UTIs) compared to placebo (p=0.01).
  • 51% reduction in the relative risk of culture-confirmed Escherichia coli UTIs (p=0.05)
  • 64% longer time to first culture-confirmed UTI observed (p=0.01).
  • 59% reduction of the mean total number of UTIs per participant over a 6-month period compared to placebo (p=0.01).
  • 58% reduction of culture-confirmed UTIs with any symptom (p=0.01).
  • 71% reduction of culture positive UTIs with urinary frequency and urgency symptoms (p<0.01).
     

UTIs are one of the most common outpatient infections.7 They’re particularly likely to affect women – 60% of whom will suffer from a UTI6 at some point in their lives. Of these, around 20%-40%6 will suffer from a recurrent UTI (two or more occurrences within six months, or three within a year). Cranberry is the most familiar solution for consumers; 63% associate it with women’s health8, and 49% link it with urinary tract health9.

Access the study

For more details, access the new study here. More information on Pacran™ and Givaudan’s full portfolio of trusted, natural ingredients is available on Givaudan’s Health & Nutrition Hub. 

 

  1.  Stonehouse W, Benassi-Evans B, Bednarz J, Vincent AD. ‘Whole cranberry fruit powder supplement reduces the incidence of culture-confirmed urinary tract infections in females with a history of recurrent urinary tract infection: A 6-month multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.’ American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2025 Jan 23:S0002-9165(25)00022-X. doi: 10.1016/j.ajcnut.2025.01.022. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39863114.

  2. Vostalova J. et al. (2015) ‘Are High Proanthocyanidins Key to Cranberry Efficacy in the Prevention of Recurrent Urinary Tract Infection?’, Phytotherapy Research, 29(10):1559-1567.

  3. US (FDA). 21 July 2020.

  4. Health Canada Natural Product Number 80053151. Claim wording: Helps prevent recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women or used in Herbal Medicine to help prevent recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs). 15 August 2014.

  5. Colombia (INVIMA). Claim wording: Helps in the management of recurrent UTI. 18 November 2015.

  6. S. Korea Food and Drug Administration. Claim wording: May help to maintain urinary tract health by preventing urinary tract infection. 3 November 2019.

  7. American Urological Association (2022) Recurrent Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections in Women: AUA/CUA/SUFU Guideline (2022). Available at: https://www.auanet.org/guidelines-and-quality/guidelines/recurrent-uti _(_assessed January 27, 2022).

  8. Data on file (2021) Givaudan consumer study. Food for Health.

  9. Cranberry Marketing Committee, consumer research survey.

About Givaudan
Givaudan is a global leader in Fragrance & Beauty and Taste & Wellbeing. We celebrate the beauty of human experience by creating for happier, healthier lives with love for nature. Together with our customers we deliver food experiences, craft inspired fragrances and develop beauty and wellbeing solutions that make people look and feel good. In 2024, Givaudan employed over 16,900 people worldwide and achieved CHF 7.4 billion in sales with a free cash flow of 15.6%. With a heritage that stretches back over 250 years, we are committed to driving long-term, purpose-led growth by improving people’s health and happiness and increasing our positive impact on nature. This is Givaudan. Human by nature. Discover more at: www.givaudan.com&nbsp;

About Givaudan Taste & Wellbeing
Powered by innovation and creativity, Givaudan Taste & Wellbeing aims to shape the future of food by becoming the co-creation partner of choice to its customers. Built on its global leadership position in flavours and taste, the Company goes beyond to create food experiences that do good and feel good, for body, mind and planet. With an expanded portfolio of products across flavours, taste, functional and nutritional solutions and a deep knowledge of the food ecosystem, Givaudan’s passion is to collaborate with customers and partners to develop game changing innovations in food and beverage. This is Givaudan. Human by nature. Learn more about how we are shaping the future of food at www.givaudan.com/taste-wellbeing

For further information please contact
Kathleen Maksymec, Taste & Wellbeing Communications
E kathleen.maksymec@givaudan.com