- For many years, researchers believed that the ability of cranberries and
cranberry juice to help prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs) was partly
related to the strong acidity of the cranberries. Recent research has shown that
it's not the acidity of the cranberries, but the unusual nature of their
proanthocyanidins (PACs) that is related to prevention of UTIs. The special
structure of these PACs (involving A-type linkages between their components)
acts as a barrier to bacteria that might otherwise latch on to the urinary tract
lining. In many studies, the UTI-preventing benefits of cranberries are somewhat
modest and limited to women who have recurrent UTIs. But this whole area of
investigation has opened the door to an understanding of other possible
cranberry benefits. For example, stomach ulcers are often related to overgrowth
and over-linking of one particular type of stomach bacteria (Helicobacter
pylori) to the stomach lining. In much the same way as cranberries may help
prevent bacterial attachment to the lining of the urinary tract, they may also
help prevent attachment of bacteria to the stomach lining. There is already some
preliminary evidence that cranberry may help protect us from stomach ulcer in
this way. We expect to see future studies confirming this fascinating type of
health benefit. - Many cranberries are water-harvested. Water-harvesting means that the
cranberries are grown in bogs and floated in water to allow for easy harvesting.
For many years, water-harvesting of cranberries has been looked upon as an
industry convenience. It's simply easier to harvest berries that are floating on
the surface. However, recent research has shown that the anthocyanin content of
cranberries (the phytonutrients that give the berries their amazing red color)
is increased in direct proportion to the amount of natural sunlight striking the
berry. If berries floating on top of water get exposed to increased amounts of
natural sunlight (in comparison to other growing and harvesting conditions),
they are likely to develop greater concentrations of anthocyanins. These greater
concentrations of anthocyanins are likely to provide us with stronger health
benefits. In other words, water-harvesting may turn out to provide more than
just harvest convenience. If it can expose cranberries to greater amounts of
natural sunlight, it can increase phytonutrient health benefits that involve the
unique antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of anthocyanins. - A substantial number of recent studies have shown that whole cranberries
consumed in dietary form—in comparison with purified cranberry extracts consumed
in either liquid or dried supplement form—do a better job of protecting our
cardiovascular system and our liver. Several groups of researchers have
summarized their health benefit findings by pointing out that it is the synergy
among cranberry nutrients (rather than individual cranberry components) that is
responsible for cranberry's health benefits. This synergy is only found in the
whole berry as consumed in food form. This rule about whole dietary intake
appears to apply to the antioxidant benefits, anti-inflammatory benefits, and
anti-cancer benefits of cranberry. - Over the past 5 years, scientists have identified an increasing number of
mechanisms that help explain the anti-cancer properties of cranberries. These
mechanisms are now known to include: blocked expression of MMPs (matrix
metalloproteinases); inhibition of ODC (ornithine decarboxylase enzymes);
stimulation of QRs (quinone reductase enzymes); inhibition of CYP2C9s (Phase I
detoxification enzymes); and triggering of apoptosis (programmed cell death) in
tumor cells. The cancer-preventive benefits of cranberries are now known to
extend to cancers of the breast, colon, lung, and prostate.
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