What Is D-Mannose? A Practical Guide

This article explains what D-mannose is, where it occurs naturally, and how it is used in dietary supplements. It is not intended as a product recommendation.

D-Mannose or Mannose is a natural supplement. "D-Mannose is a naturally occurring sugar manufactured from wood-based or other biomass hydrolysates using an aqueous chromatographic separation process."

D-Mannose is an important sugar in terms of human health, having a symbiotic relationship with the human body. Mannose is found in most body cells and is known to facilitate myelin formation around nerve cells. It is also present in the cells that form the surface of the bladder wall.

We already consume it through many food sources. Mannose is also found in the secretions of trees and shrubs. It is present in tiny quantities in Aloe Vera, Fenugreek, black currants, gooseberries, green beans, capsicum, cabbage, eggplant, tomatoes, turnips, shiitake mushrooms, and kelp to name but a few.

If you’re researching D-Mannose and would like to explore available formats including powder, tablets and sachets, you can view our full D-Mannose supplement range here: Explore D-Mannose Supplements.

Use in supplements

Commercially available D-mannose supplements first appeared in the early 2000s and are now sold by many brands.

A 2011 D-Mannose Survey by SC Nutra, (then trading as Sweet Cures) customers revealed they use D-mannose as part of their routine when suffering from:

• 33% Urinary Tract Infection/Cystitis
• 12% Interstitial Cystitis
• 11% Maintaining a Healthy Bladder
• 10% Pain Passing Urine
• 7% Urinary Frequency
• 6% Urethritis
• 6% Kidney Infection
• 4% Other
• 2% Bacterial Prostatitis
• 2% Bladder Incontinence

If you are thinking of including supplements into your diet, always check with a health professional first. 

The 'D' in D-mannose

While a prefixed "D" normally does indicate that the product is a sugar, and generally monosaccharides, the "D" in D-mannose does not refer to "dextra", meaning sugar. It actually refers to the orientation of the sugar molecule. The "D" prefix specifies the configuration at the carbon atom; "D" indicates the hydroxyl is on the right side.