Health Benefit of Cranberries
Health Benefit of Cranberries
Cranberry is the fruit from a shrub plant. Cranberries and their juice
are widely consumed as food. Traditionally, cranberry has been used to
treat skin infections, diabetes, liver disease, and bladder problems. Cranberries
contain substances called proanthocyanidins. These substances
are thought to be responsible for cranberry’s ability to prevent bladder
infections. Proanthocyanidins have been shown to prevent the bacteria
E. coli from adhering to the lining of the bladder, thus reducing the incidence
of bladder infections.
Studies have shown that cranberry also prevents the bacteria H. pylori
from adhering to cells in the stomach. H. pylori infection in the
stomach is the most common cause of stomach ulcers. More studies are
needed to fully evaluate cranberry’s effect on preventing stomach ulcers.
Cranberry has also been shown to prevent the attachment of cavitycausing
bacteria to the teeth and gums. Finally, cranberry has demonstrated
activity against some cancer cells. The usual dose of cranberry
for preventing bladder infections is 300-400mg (tablets) twice daily or 8
ounces of cranberry juice 3 times daily.