Cranberries and cranberry products offer many important health benefits. Historically, Native Americans used cranberries to relieve a variety of ailments. Today's health research points to promising new evidence that cranberries are not only a healthy, low-calorie fruit, they may also help prevent urinary tract infections and reduce the risk of gum disease, ulcers, heart disease and cancer. Research on these areas and on additional health benefits is ongoing.Here's a look at some of the health benefits of adding cranberries to your everyday diet.
Urinary Tract Health
Just 300ml of cranberry juice daily could help prevent urinary tract infections. In the last six years, medical research has indicated that cranberries may play an important role in maintaining urinary tract health. In a study conducted in 1994, elderly women who drank 300ml. of cranberry juice daily reduced their odds of having infection by 58 percent.
A follow-up study published in October 1998, identified a compound in cranberries that prevents micro-organisms and bacteria such as E. coli from sticking to cells of the urinary tract. Researchers call this property "anti-adhesion" and think this is what helps reduce the risk of urinary tract infections.
Dental Health
In December 1998, a team of researchers determined that the same "anti-adhesion" properties that prevent bacteria from forming in the urinary tract, prevent bacteria from forming in the mouth. In this way, cranberries might reduce the formation of harmful plaque that leads to gum disease.
Heart Health
An ongoing study is researching the cranberry's ability to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Scientists have found that cranberry extract contains compounds called flavonoids, which may help maintain heart health. In fact, one study has already shown that the properties of cranberry juice that could contribute to inhibiting blood clotting, promoting blood vessel diameter and preventing clogged arteries are equivalent to those found in red wine.
Anti-Cancer
The flavonoid contents of cranberries make cranberries an important cancer fighter. Compared with 20 common fruits tested, cranberries demonstrated the highest fresh-weight content of flavonoids and related phenolic acids, making this berry a powerful source of potentially cancer-preventative phytonutrients and antioxidants. Findings linking the cranberry's components to a decreased risk of cancer are preliminary, but studies are ongoing.
Anti-Ulcer
Research suggests that tannins found in cranberries may help in inhibiting the adhesion of bacteria in the stomach, including the Helicobacter pylori bacterium, which is the bacteria responsible for gastrointestinal diseases, including gastric, duodenal and peptide ulcers as well as gastric cancer.
Source:
http://www.cranberries.com.au/healthyliving.html
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