Cranberries: Health Benefits

Nutritional Facts About the Cranberry

• Latin name: Vaccinium macrocarpon
• Common names:
  • American Cranberry
  • Bearberry
  • Craneberry
  • Mossberry
• Medical uses:
  • Candida
  • Bacterial infections
• Healing properties:
  • Anti-oxidant
  • Anti-bilious
  • Diuretic
  • Laxative
  • Dilates blood vessels (vasodilator)
• High in antioxidants
• High in vitamin C
• High in manganese
• 40 calories per cup
• Cranberries are 85 percent water

Recommended Dosage

For optimum health benefits use the following amounts of cranberry:

• One 400 mg capsule of concentrated cranberry juice extract can be taken two times per day
• One pint of unsweetened juice drank throughout the day
• One teaspoon of cranberry tincture taken three times a day

Cranberries:Health Benefits in Colonial America

While most Americans consider the cranberry as only a colorful side dish to a holiday meal, the health benefits of cranberries were valued by not only the early settlers but also Native Americans.

They used the berries in pemmican, as a nutritional source but also gathered the berries for many medicinal uses. Native Americans made a poultice from the berries for wounds. If a wound was infected the cranberries were mixed with cornmeal and used as a cure for blood poisoning.

The early settlers on the East Coast learned to use the cranberry from the Native Americans that they met. The berry was used as often raw as cooked. They believed the health benefits of cranberries to be varied, aiding with such problems as:

• Appetite loss
• Blood disorders, such as anemia
• Scurvy
• Digestive upsets

They found cranberries to be especially helpful in cases of scurvy. Scurvy is a deficiency of vitamin C which causes the gums to bleed, weakness, anemia, and bruising and spontaneous bleeding. Cranberries, with their high level of vitamin C, were as good a remedy for scurvy as the limes or lemons that sailors used.

The Modern Health Benefits of Cranberries

The cranberry is high in antioxidants. Most of the antioxidants come from a substance called proanthocyanidins. These antioxidants find, and attach, to free radicals. Free radicals are particles in the body that contribute to aging, as well as many medical conditions. Free radicals are increased by things like environmental toxins:

• Ultraviolet light
• Cigarettes
• Air pollution
• Pesticide residues in foods

Antioxidants can neutralize free radicals and may prevent the development of damage caused by them. Numerous studies have measured the amounts of antioxidants in the body before and after eating cranberries or drinking the juice. Each study has found that the antioxidant levels are significantly increased by the cranberries. Health benefits of this versatile fruit in the treatment of cancer is currently in research stages. A recent study has found that there is an enzyme in cranberry extract that is associated with a lowered risk of some cancers.

Millions of women, and some men, visit their doctor each year because of urinary tract infections, or UTIs. These infections are most often caused by e Coli bacteria in the urinary tract. Researchers have known since the 1920s that people who drink cranberry juice tend to have less urinary tract infections than other people, and attributed it to the high acid levels in the urine of those who drank cranberry juice. Now scientists have found that, while the acid level is part of the story, cranberries actually inhibit the ability of the e Coli cells to attach to the cell walls of the urinary tract. In fact they even change the strains that have become resistant to conventional treatment and medications. The very shape of the e Coli bacteria is changed from rods to spheres, and communication between the bacterial cells is disrupted.

When the cells are unable to attach properly the bacteria is flushed form the body and cannot colonize and create infection. Drinking cranberry juice regularly can help prevent the pain of recurrent urinary tract infections.

Another interesting study seems to show that cranberries can prevent ulcers. Helicobacter pylori, or H. pylori, is a microorganism that is thought to cause stomach ulcers. The same substance that keeps e Coli from adhering to the urinary tract walls seems to keep the H. pylori from adhering to the walls of the stomach. It is interesting to note that there is some research that indicates that there is the same effect on bacteria that adhere to the gums around the teeth, which may have a role in preventing tooth decay.

The effect of cranberry intake on the Herpes simplex virus is currently being researched with promising results. This is the virus that causes genital herpes.

There is a process called low density lipoprotein oxidation that occurs in the body and is believed to be one of the causes of heart disease. Cranberry extract inhibits low density lipoprotein oxidation and therefore may significantly decrease the risk of heart disease.

Side Effects of Cranberries

Cranberries contain chemicals called oxalates that contribute to the formation of kidney stones. If you drink large amounts (one quart or more) of cranberry juice regularly, or take concentrated supplements, you may increase your risk of kidney stones. This is especially true if you, or a blood relative, have had a history of kidney stones. On the other hand, there are researchers that believe that a moderate intake of cranberry juice will prevent kidney stones. Moderation, as always, is the key.

If you are taking warfarin, a blood thinner, it is important that you discuss the use of cranberry products with your physician, or other health care provider. Some health care providers feel that cranberry interferes with the metabolization of warfarin, however, it should be noted that others do not. Follow your own doctor’s advice.

A glass or two of cranberry juice each day, or a few dried cranberries added to your favorite muffin recipe can help your body stay at its healthiest. Knowing all about herbs and nutritional foods like cranberries can help to keep your medical costs down and your energy levels high.