Why Cranberries are Good For You!!!

• 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.