A small but powerful fruit
This fruit is rich in proanthocyanidin type A, a substance that prevents the host of bacteria to mucous membranes, forming a kind of barrier between tissues and bacteria, like a shield.
Therefore, this small red fruit is often used in baking, is not only great for Christmas desserts and tasty healthy juices, it also has many hidden benefits, can be taken in supplements, and is not only good for treating UTI’s.
Combats Oral Diseases
The proanthocyanidins that cranberries have also benefit oral health, by to preventing bacteria from binding to the teeth, meaning healthier teeth with less cavaties, plaque and gum disease.
Scientifically speaking, “the properties of the high-molecular-weight polyphenols isolated from cranberries have shown promise with regard to dental cavaties and periodontal disease. In addition, cranberry polyphenols may reduce the inflammatory response, as well as the production and activity of proteolytic enzymes contributing to the destruction of the extracellular matrix in periodontal disease”, according to J Can Dent.
Heart health
Another promising, but less-known, area of research into cranberries’ is related to cardiovascular health.
A studied published in 2019, named “The effects of cranberry on cardiovascular metabolic risk factors: A systematic review and meta-analysis”, aimed to verified if cranberry supplementation could reduce risk of cardiovascular problems in adults.
Some evidences points out that the polyphenols contained in cranberries may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. In fact, it was found that regular cranberry consumption reduced systolic blood pressure and body mass index.
The research also discover that cranberries might improve levels of HDL, called “good” cholesterol and reduce the “bad” cholesterol (LDL), in addition to reducing arterial stiffness and improving the function of the lining of blood vessels and dilating blood vessels.
Preventing colds and flu
This fruit is also very rich in vitamin C and other antioxidants that can help in the prevention, or even in the treatment, of other health problems, such as colds or the flu, as it prevents virus and bacteria from adhering to cells.
Regarding stomach ulcers
This power to prevent bacteria can also help ulcers. According to some studies, cranberry helps to reduce infection caused by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, which is one of the main causes of inflammation in the stomach and ulcers. This action is due to the fact that the cranberry has anthocyanins that have an antibacterial effect, preventing this bacterium from causing stomach damage.
Delaying cancer progression
Other study published on 2016, named “Cranberries and Cancer: An Update of Preclinical Studies Evaluating the Cancer Inhibitory Potential of Cranberry and Cranberry Derived Constituents”, revealed that cranberries or compounds in cranberries had lots of beneficial effects on cancer cells, namely: triggering the death of cancer cells; slowing the growth of cancer cells; reducing inflammation.
The study also suggests that cranberries can affect several other mechanisms that promote cancer growth and spread.
However, researchers recognize that the use of cranberry derived constituents in the prevention of cancer is an underexplored area, but they believe that these findings show promise for the future management of some cancers alongside standard treatments.
Anti-aging
Cranberry contains a large amount of vitamin C and antioxidants, which are molecules able to prevent premature aging. Thus, cranberrys can delay the premature aging of the skin because they protects cells from damage caused by free radicals.
In addition, cranberries have phytonutrients that mitigate degenerative problems such as loss of memory.
Heal a never ending UTI
Cranberry is perhaps best known for its role in preventing UTIs. According to many researches already done cranberry helps prevent UTIs.
The high level of proanthocyanidins in cranberries helps lower the adhesion of certain bacteria to the urinary-tract walls, in turn fighting off infections.
For those who UTI are always coming back this can be the solution, because bacteria are no longer able to cling to the bladder walls.
How to take cranberry?
From eating the fruit, making juices, or taking supplements, cranberry can be ingested in several ways. However, cranberry juice seems to be less effective since it takes an extremely large concentration of cranberry to prevent bacterial adhesion.
Despite being just a fruit, you should visit your doctor before you start taking them to avoid any unpleasant surprises, both in terms of dosage or incompatibility with any pathology or medication.
Journaliste : Paula Martins - The Portugal News
Source : https://www.theportugalnews.com/news/2021-05-28/a-small-but-powerful-fruit/60119
(May 28, 2021)