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Read Part 1 here (click!)
No berry has advanced in medical research as far as cranberry has.
Why is this the case? Let's consider three main reasons:
1. as with many dark berries, cranberry has rich pigmentation (color) made up mainly of phenolics such as proanthocyanidins, anthocyanins and tannins. All these compounds are strong antioxidants that disperse widely in the body once consumed by people.
2. cranberry has been developed into a juice available throughout the year around the world, i.e., as a berry product, it has popular appeal and few market limitations.
3. cranberry juice has been well-studied by scientists in Europe and North America, results in the lab and in humans have been positive and finances have been available from industry for expensive clinical trials (research in humans testing for specific anti-disease effects).
Seven NIH-reviewed clinical trials on cranberry (click!)
(NIH is the major US government facility for health research)
Facts
To ease harvest, cranberries are floated in a managed bog.
Courtesy, University of Massachusetts
Beyond the benefit against urinary tract infections...
Snapshots of New Medical Research Progress
on Cranberries
1. Favorable impact of cranberry juice on blood cholesterol (click to read abstract)
Drinking 250 ml of cranberry juice daily for 4 weeks raised levels of "good" cholesterol, HDL.
2. Drinking 250 ml of cranberry juice daily for 3 months reduced incidence of stomach bacterial infections leading to gastric ulcers
3. Cranberry proanthocyanidins inhibit the inflammation of gum diseases (periodontitis)
4. Cranberry juice may act against the flu virus
5. Cranberry extracts inhibit tumor growth (cancer mechanisms) in the laboratory
Craisins (dried sweetened cranberries) -- look for them in your grocery's bulk bin.
Use often like you would with raisins!
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