Cranberry Phytosome
The details
Commonly found in: Cranberry
Our source: Vaccinium macrocarpon, fruit
Amount (Urinary Tract Cleanse & Protect): 120mg of cranberry phytosome
Branded ingredient: Anthocran® Phytosome®
Supplier: Indena S.p.A., Milan, Italy
Standardization: 6% to 9% proanthocyanidins (PACs), measured by DMAC spectrophotometry
Dose: 120mg daily, which is the manufacturer's recommended dose and the dose used in both published human studies of this ingredient
Unique Features: We use a clinically studied Cranberry Phytosome in our formula that closely replicates the complexity of cranberry juice while improving absorption by micro-encapsulating the extract in a sunflower lecithin-based phytosome. Unlike many cranberry extracts, our formula contains ample active cranberry polyphenols for efficacy and is over 3x better absorbed than standard extracts.
This is why the PAC number on a cranberry label is not comparable across delivery forms. Indena, which manufactures the ingredient, states that Anthocran Phytosome delivering 9mg of PACs "has proved to be as effective as unformulated products containing 36 mg of them," because the phospholipid phytosome improves how much survives digestion. A larger milligram figure on a label does not mean more active compound reaches you. What matters is which specific ingredient was studied, at what dose, and measured by what method.
Understanding the Benefits
Purpose: Cranberries have been used for centuries by indigenous North Americans to treat urinary, kidney, and bladder issues. Cranberry juice contains a mix of bioactive compounds, including flavonols, triterpenoids, anthocyanins, and proanthocyanidins.
What makes cranberries unique is their ability to effectively bind to bacteria, preventing them from attaching to the bladder walls. This helps flush out bacteria during urination, reducing the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs).
The Research
There are hundreds of papers looking in to how cranberry works in the bladder to help with protect the urinary tract from bacteria that could cause UTIs. Take a dive into the research to see what the science says. Below are a few key papers to get you started, including two human studies of this specific branded ingredient and a 2026 review focused on cranberry's phytosome (phospholipid) formulation.
** Rondanelli M, et al. Supplementation with Highly Standardized Cranberry Extract Phytosome Achieved the Modulation of Urinary Tract Infection Episodes in Diabetic Postmenopausal Women Taking SGLT-2 Inhibitors: A RCT Study. Nutrients. 2024;16(13):2113. doi: 10.3390/nu16132113. Double-blind and placebo-controlled, 46 completers, testing this ingredient at 120mg daily. The population was specific: postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes taking SGLT-2 inhibitors.
** Anthocran® Phytosome®: Prevention of Recurring Urinary Infections and Symptoms after Catheterization. J Diet Suppl. 2021 Oct 10:1-13. doi: 10.1080/19390211.2021.1972074. A second human study of the same ingredient at the same 120mg daily dose. This was a preliminary pilot registry study rather than a randomized trial, with small groups, so it carries less weight than the RCT above.
