Cranberries May Help Many Ailments
Scientists from Tel Aviv University have discovered
that the proanthocyanidins
(PCOs) in cranberries can stop the ulcer-causing
bacteria H. pylori adhering to
the stomach lining, in the same way that they
prevent bacteria sticking to the
urinary tract - preventing or reducing cystitis.
This specific anti-adhesion action of PCOs comes
from an ability to wrap
themselves around bacteria, putting out of action
the microscopic protrusions
normally used for grabbing on to moist linings in
the body.
Cranberry PCOs could also be useful in the mouth.
Work published in the
Journal of the American Dental Association indicated
their anti-adhesion effect
could help stop the mouth bacteria F. nucleatum from
sticking to teeth and
triggering periodontal gum disease.
Future studies could ascertain the usefulness of
cranberry products in
preventing anything from middle ear infections to
prostatitis, and, in the
process, reduce reliance on antibiotic drugs.
But the possible health benefits locked inside the
fruit of the cranberry bush do
not end there. Early laboratory results from the
University of
Wisconsin-LaCrosse in America reveal cranberry juice
to be an effective
antioxidant capable of stopping changes in
cholesterol, which in humans may
reduce the risk of blocked arteries.
As the juice works its protective magic, oil from
the cranberry seed may also
prove useful. It contains high levels of omega 3
fatty acids, normally found in
fish oil, along with rich sources of vitamin E;
medical circles think that such
compounds could help reduce the risk of blood clots
and even some cancers.
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