10/10/2017
Cranberries - the list of health benefits is growing.
You may already know that cranberries are good for the health of the urinary tract. New advances in cranberry research presented at the Proceedings of the Cranberry Health Research Conference provide evidence for possible roles in cardiovascular and gut health. The structure of the cranberryβs proanthocyandins are likely responsible for many of its benefits, including its antimicrobial characteristics.
Cranberry proanthocyanidins interfere with colonization of the gut by pathogenic e. coli and help reduce gut barrier dysfunction. Newer studies show a possible synergy between these proanthocyandins and other cranberry compounds in supporting gut health. These compounds support mechanisms affecting bacterial adhesion, coaggregations, and biofilm formation. This explains some of their clinical benefits associated with gastrointestinal and urinary tract infections.
Recent and current research on cranberries is beginning to show favorable effects of cranberries on measures of cardiovascular health such as serum lipid profiles, blood pressure, and endothelial health. There is also research looking at a possible role in supporting blood glucose regulation, inflammation, and oxidative stress.
More research is needed to support these early findings, but cranberries are obviously more than just a great cocktail mixer, but a fruit that provide numerous potential health benefits.
http://advances.nutrition.org/content/7/4/759S?utm_source=TrendMD&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Adv_Nutr_TrendMD_0