D-Mannose

D-mannose is found naturally in fruits and vegetables in tiny amounts. D-mannose is linked to glucose due to its structure and slightly sweet taste but is not metabolised like sugar.

D-mannose products are food supplements, however the NHS recognises D-mannose as an alternative way to prevent some UTIs coming back. (updated November 2020).

"Other ways to prevent some UTIs coming back

If you keep getting a bladder infection (cystitis), there's some evidence it may be helpful to take:

- D-mannose – a sugar you can buy as a powder or tablets to take every day"

Waterfall D-Mannose is fermented naturally from Birch Biomass (The bark from Birch Trees) without using solvents. Some D-Mannose manufacturers choose to use other types of D-mannose; these can be from corn and synthetically made. When shopping for a D-mannose product, always check the label. Many D-mannose products on the market, despite being labelled as "D-mannose", are blended with ingredients such as Cranberry, Bulking Agents and Fillers.

Yes, D-mannose can be taken daily as part of your wellness routine. Many people use it as a daily supplement, typically taking two tablets in the morning and two before bed, or just two tablets before bed. Dosage may vary between individuals, with some requiring a higher or more frequent dose and others finding one dose sufficient. It’s often recommended to start with a higher dose and adjust over time to find what works best for you.

If D-mannose hasn't supported your wellness routine as expected, it could be due to several factors:

- The product used may not have been a high-purity D-mannose supplement and could contain added ingredients.

- The dosage taken might have been too low. Maintenance doses are generally around 2g–4g daily, while higher doses (6g–18g daily) are often used temporarily.

- The issue may not be related to E. coli bacteria, which D-mannose is most commonly associated with.

You can purchase D-mannose directly from our online store or place an order by calling us on 01904 789559.

Many people have used D-mannose while pregnant, but there are no clinical trials specifically studying its use in pregnancy. Current advice is to consult with a healthcare professional or midwife before taking any supplements during pregnancy.

Yes, D-mannose is a natural supplement and can generally be taken alongside other products. However, consult your healthcare provider if you are taking medication.

Natural D-mannose sourced from birch has a mild, sweet taste with slightly bitter finishing taste that is pleasant and well-tolerated.

A small amount of Vegetable Magnesium Stearate is used in tablets to maintain their shape and prevent crumbling. Unlike many products, this avoids the need for excessive binders and fillers.

Cranberries naturally contain a very small amount of D-mannose, comprising less than 0.05% of their weight. To match the D-mannose content of a single 1000mg tablet, you’d need to consume approximately 2kg of cranberries daily, which is impractical and highly acidifying for some individuals.

Birch-derived D-mannose is often considered superior due to its unique blend of alpha and beta D-mannose isomers, which are naturally present in a balanced ratio.

Birch-derived D-mannose is non-GMO and free from common allergens, ensuring a cleaner, more natural product with no additives, fillers, or unwanted contaminants. This makes it a preferred choice for those seeking a high-quality, reliable supplement.

Cranberry juice and cranberry extract products can act as triggers and cause discomfort for some individuals. Traditionally, cranberry juice was promoted for urinary health, but cranberry wasn’t the only product marketed with health claims. Some of the earliest carbonated soft drinks also began with similar health-related promotions. As these drinks became more mainstream, many of these claims were later challenged or removed.

Cranberry was initially added to D-Mannose products as a marketing tool, to leverage the historical association with cranberry juice and its perceived benefits. More recently, research has identified proanthocyanidins (PACs)—naturally occurring compounds in cranberry—that may have properties similar to D-Mannose. However, the current research on PACs is limited, and many cranberry-based supplements do not specify the PAC content per dose, leaving their effectiveness unclear.

If you’re considering using a cranberry product, it may be more effective to opt for a standalone cranberry supplement alongside a pure D-Mannose product. This allows you to control the dosage of each ingredient independently, ensuring that your D-Mannose intake isn’t restricted by the maximum dose of other ingredients.

It is important to consider that D-mannose is an ingredient. D-mannose in it’s pure form, i.e. before being made into a supplement shouldn’t cause blood sugar levels to raise, often it is the added ingredients in a D-mannose product that would cause this. This is why it is important to always check the ingredients when purchasing a D-mannose product and purchase from a reputable store.

However, it is advisable to seek medical advice if diabetic and introducing new supplements or foods to your diet.

Over 23 years ago, when we created the name Waterfall D-Mannose, we wanted it to subtly reflect the natural source of our D-Mannose—birch trees.

Birch trees are often found near water sources, thriving in moist, rich soils commonly seen along rivers and waterfalls. Inspired by this connection to nature, Waterfall D-Mannose was born—a name that embodies purity and natural origins.

D-Mannose is not metabolised in the same way as sugar and is not used by the body for energy. Instead, it passes through the body unchanged, reaching the bladder intact before being flushed out during urination, meaning it should not contribute to weight gain.

However, it’s important to check the ingredient list of any supplement, as added fillers, sweeteners, or other ingredients could impact caloric intake. This is why many individuals prefer a pure D-Mannose supplement over products containing multiple additives.