The summer is winding down. Fall is nearly here and before you know it, it'll be Thanksgiving. But why wait till then to pass the cranberries? Some of you may have heard that cranberries are good for you. As an avid cranberry products conesuir, I've decided to delve into some scholarly journals and see what the deal is with this tart little berry.
The history of cranberries in our country goes back to the early settlement days when the Native Americans introduced the colonists/pilgrams to this magical fruit that was revered for its healing powers in an array of ailments from arrow wounds, blood and intestinal complaints, to preventing scurvy. Not to mention it's wide use for dying purposes.
Within one of the Health Source Databases provided through my university library online, I found an article referencing the 105th General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology in Atlanta, stating that "cranberry juice reduces the infectivity of intestinal viruses." Otherwise known as urinary tract infections, or UTIs. So what does this mean? Well, according to an article by Susan Freinkel (2000), "cranberries contain a number of antioxidents...including a class of antioxidants called proanthocyanidins, or condensed tannins, which are concentrated in the seeds and deep crimson skin of the fruit." These antioxidants "block the culprit bacteria (like E. coli) from setting up shop." They mimic cells that are already lining the urinary tract therefore instead of "binding to the cells where they will multiply," the bad guys cling to the cell-posers and get flushed out with the urine. So basically the "condensed tannins keep the [bad guys] from sticking." However, researcher Amy B. Howell (1998) - whose research was largely sponsered by OceanSpray - suggests it is important to note that cranberry juice won't help for an infection that's already moved in; at this point, antibiotics may be necessary. Still, that's a pretty amazing ability from a little berry.
But wait, there's more!
Cranberries do more for you than prevent infection-causing bacteria from adhering to the bladder walls. According to "Cranberries: Antioxidant Benefits Behind the Tartness," one cup of whole cranberries "provides 13 milligrams of vitamin C and four grams for fiber." Additionally, antioxidants called anthocyanins, which give these berries their scarlet hue, may help fight against certain cancers and cardiovascular diseases. This article references an animal study conducted at the University of Wisconsin at LaCrosse which proffers that "cranberry juice may improve blood flow by inhibiting blood clotting and increasing blood vessel diameter...compared the antioxidant levels in 21 [different] fruits [and] ranked cranberried number one in polyphenols, the phytonutrients credited with the hearthealth benefits of grapes." Ted Wilson, a nutritional physiologist at LaCrosse, says "in terms of antioxidant activity, cranberry juice is comparable to, if not better than, red wine."
So not only is cranberry an everyday criminal bacteria fighter, but they come from a family with good connections. "Cranberries are close kin to blueberries and their European cousins, bilberries and lingonberries," says Freinkel (2000). This clan aquired high critical acclaim for their "wealth of antioxidants" and their superhero abilities in warding off "cancers, heart disease, and other ailments."
The Consumer Reports on Health from this August (2010) says berries help support memory. "Blueberries and strawberries contain polyphenols, substances that might reduce inflammation in blood vessels in the brain." Indeed, the report identifies an unpublished study of "3,774 people in Chicago that linked the regular consumption of strawberries to a slightly slower rate of cognitive decline in women as they got older." Berries aren't just beneficial to women. The article, "Drink to a Healthy Heart" from Men's Health (2007) says that "cranberry juice cocktail helps save your arteries." The article draws on a Canadian study in which 30 men drank two 8-ounce glasses of cranberry juice everyday for three months and discovered their levels of oxidized LDL cholesterol was decreased by 21%.
Antioxidants also work wonders for the skin. Carmindy, a make-up artist on TLC's "What Not To Wear," and author of several books says "for radiantly beautiful skin, eat foods rich in antioxidants, like blueberries, acacia, and green tea" (p. 20).
On the flip side, not everyone is camping out by cranberry bogs. Freinkel (2000) quotes Jerry G. Blaivas, a urologist at Weil Cornell Medical School in New York City who said there have not been enough credible studies to persuade him to endorse cranberry juice. In my own research I have found scholarly articles that present what has been discovered about cranberries and indeed there is strong evidence to attest to the characteristics of these berries, but some of the linkage to human health is weak. Moreover, Dr. Ruth Jepson of the University of Stirling in Scotland as quoted in the article "Cranberry-Juice Home Remedy May Really Help," says that cranberry juice "can be costly and add calories" and that cranberry supplements are also problematic because they "come in different strengths and that optimal dose and duration of use are unclear...tablets may also not have same biological effect as cranberry juice because of ingredients potentially diminished or destroyed in manufacturing."
The constant debate over whether the consumption of cranberries really helps to ward of disease seems yet to be determined. Within my research only animal studies attest to the immense benefits. Therefore it may be some time yet before we obtain stronger evidence. Regardless, I feel it can't hurt to invest in this berry since there is no debate that fruit is good for the body.
"Cranberries are only available fresh from September to December," says the article "Cranberries: Antioxidant Benefits Behind the Tartness." They'll stay fresh for up to two weeks when stored in the refrigerator or a year if stored in the freezer (best in their original bag). Cranberries will retain their nutrients for up to nine months and can be used in recipes while in there frozen state, no need to thaw, just rinse and use. For an alternatve the article suggests dried cranberries, though some of the vitamin C is lost during the processing most of their antioxidants remain intact. Also, there is white cranberries. They are the same berries, merely harvested early. These beries are milder and a spokesperson for Ocean Spray says they "contain comparable amounts of proanthocyanids as red cranberries but not as much anthocyanins (which gives cranberries the dark red color and other health benefits)." So ya win some, ya lose some.
So lets not wait till the end of November to put the spotlight on this fruit. Ocean Spray's website offers many cranberry-infused recipes to enjoy them all year round. I'll be seeing you down the juice isle!
References
(2001). Cranberries: Antioxidant benefits behind the tartness. Environmental Nutrition, 24(11). Retrieved from Health Source database: Nursing/Academic Edition.
(2005). Research briefs: Cranberry juice benefits the gut. GP:General Practitioner. Retrieved from Health Source database: Nursing/Academic Edition. www.asm.org.
(2008). Cranberry-juice home remedy may really help. Tufts University Health & Nutrition Letter, 26(2). Retrieved from Health Souce database: Nursing/Academic Edition.
(2010). Consumer reports on health. FoodSense, 6.
Acosta, C. (2010). Crazy busy beautiful: Beauty secrets for getting ready fast (1st ed.). New York: HarperCollins.
Duthie, S. J., Jenkinson, A, Mullen, W., Pirie, L., Kyle, J., Yap, L. S., Christen, P., & Duthie, G. G. (2006). The effects of cranbery juice consumption on antioxidant status and biomarkers relating to heart disease and cancer in healthy human volunteers. 45, DOI:10.1007/s00394-005-0572-9.
Freinkel, S. (2000). Give thanks for cranberries. Health (Time Inc. Health), 14(9). Retrieved from Health Source database: Nursing/Academic Edition.
Goulding, M. (2007). Drink to a healthy heart. Men's Health, 22(10). Retrieved from Health Souce database: Nursing/Academic Edition.
