What is D-Mannose and how does it work?
Posted on August 21 2020
D-mannose is known for supporting bladder health. But what is this amazing supplement, where does it come from, and how does it work?
What exactly is D-Mannose?
D-mannose is a simple type of raw sugar that’s closely related to glucose. Like glucose, it only has one molecule. However, unlike glucose, D-mannose is not readily metabolised, so it doesn’t directly affect your body’s blood sugar levels or act as a fuel. Instead it passes directly into the bloodstream unchanged and is filtered out by your kidneys so it can reach the bladder and urinary tract.1
Where does D-mannose come from?
Some cells in your body naturally make small amounts of D-mannose. Several fruits and vegetables also contain D-mannose, including cranberries, apples, oranges, peaches, broccoli and green beans. However, although these foods contain more D-Mannose than others, they don’t contain a high amount overall. So if you struggle with UTI’s, it would be challenging to get enough D-Mannose from fruit and vegetables alone.
How does D-mannose work?
80-90% of UTI’s are estimated to be caused by E-coli type bacteria.2 These bacteria attach to the walls of the urinary tract and bladder, making them difficult to get rid of.3 Because D-mannose gets to the bladder and urinary tract quickly and largely unchanged, it can coat and flush out bacteria that might be lurking and help to stop infection in its tracks.4
What to remember
If you’ve ever experienced a UTI you’ll know how frustrating and uncomfortable they are. If you’re struggling with bladder health, or perhaps fed up with antibiotics, it might be worth considering D-mannose as a supplement.
