Cranberry

Cranberry (Extract)

Cranberries, the red fruit of the cranberry shrub, have many beneficial properties. Used in many foods, juices, and herbal products, cranberries have been used historically to help treat a variety of ailments, including urinary disorders, diarrhea, stomach problems, liver problems, and even wounds. Cranberries are loaded with vitamin C, dietary fiber, manganese, and many other micronutrients. More importantly, they contain very high levels of antioxidants, with an oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) score of 9,584 units per 100 g. This ranks them very near the top of the list of commonly consumed high-ORAC foods.^[1]

Benefits of Cranberries

A large body of strong scientific evidence supports the medicinal properties of cranberries. Adding cranberries to your diet and taking it as supplements can give you the following amazing health benefits:

Fights Cancer

In addition to their antioxidant content, cranberries also contain phytochemicals, which are known to possess anti-cancer properties.^[2-3] One test tube study revealed that   cranberry phytochemical extracts suppressed the growth and reproduction of human breast cancer MCF-7 cells by inducing cell cycle arrest and programmed cell death.^[4]

Fights Infection

Cranberries have long been used to treat urinary tract infections, and now there is emerging scientific information to support its efficacy in alleviating UTIs. Laboratory experiments revealed that components of cranberries might help prevent bacteria from attaching themselves to the cellular walls of the bladder and urethra.^[5] It is thought that the chemicals responsible for this effect are A-type proanthocyanidin and condensed tannins, also known as proanthocyanidins. If infection-causing bacteria, such as Escherichia coli, are unable to attach themselves, they are unable to multiply and cause these painful problems. Dietary supplementation with cranberry can help reduce the chances of developing a urinary tract infection through this mechanism.

Improves Cholesterol Levels

Consuming cranberries can have a positive impact on cholesterol levels. According to a study published in the Journal of Diabetic Medicine, patients with type 2 diabetes who consumed cranberries for 12 weeks experienced a significant reduction in low density lipoprotein cholesterol (bad cholesterol) compared to those who took placebo.^[6] This finding is highly significant since slight reductions in bad cholesterol levels can dramatically lower one’s risk for heart disease, diabetes, stroke, metabolic syndrome and other fatal diseases.

Improves Dental Health

The same proanthocyanidins in cranberries that help fight infection may also benefit your gums and teeth by preventing bacterial overgrowth. According to a study published in the Canadian Dental Association, proanthocyanidins interfere with various activities of bacteria in the mouth, thereby inhibiting their growth and reproduction.^[7] This in turn can help prevent tooth decay and gum diseases.

Lowers High Blood Sugar Levels

Cranberry consumption can help lower high blood sugar levels, making it beneficial for people with diabetes. According to a study published in the Journal of Research in Medical Sciences, cranberry juice supplementation (1 cup daily for 12 weeks) in 58 patients with type 2 diabetes resulted in significant reduction in blood sugar levels.^[8]  

References:

1. Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity of Selected Foods – 2007; Nutrient Data Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, November 2007.
2. Seifried HE, Anderson DE, Fisher EI, Milner JA (September 2007). “A review of the interaction among dietary antioxidants and reactive oxygen species”. J Nutr Biochem. 18 (9): 567–79. doi:10.1016/j.jnutbio.2006.10.007. PMID 17360173.
3. Flavonoid composition over fruit development and maturation in American cranberry, Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait. Irina O. Vvedenskaya and Nicholi Vorsa, Plant Science, Volume 167, Issue 5, November 2004, Pages 1043-1054, doi:10.1016/j.plantsci.2004.06.001.
4. Sun J, Hai liu R. Cranberry phytochemical extracts induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in human MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Cancer Lett. 2006;241(1):124-34.
5. “Cranberry juice creates energy barrier that keeps bacteria away from cells, study shows”. Eurekalert.org. 2008-07-21. Retrieved 2009-11-13.
6. Lee IT, Chan YC, Lin CW, Lee WJ, Sheu WH. Effect of cranberry extracts on lipid profiles in subjects with Type 2 diabetes. Diabet Med. 2008;25(12):1473-7.
7. Bonifait L, Grenier D. Cranberry polyphenols: potential benefits for dental caries and periodontal disease. J Can Dent Assoc. 2010;76:a130.
8. Shidfar F, Heydari I, Hajimiresmaiel SJ, Hosseini S, Shidfar S, Amiri F. The effects of cranberry juice on serum glucose, apoB, apoA-I, Lp(a), and Paraoxonase-1 activity in type 2 diabetic male patients. Journal of Research in Medical Sciences : The Official Journal of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. 2012;17(4):355-360.