Cranberries

Cranberries (Vaccinium macrocarpon) are harvested every autumn from farms in the Northern U.S. and parts of Canada. Cranberries are a rich source of proanthocyanidins and tannins, compounds found to promote urinary tract health. Dried cranberries are often naturally sweetened by infusing the fruit in apple juice concentrate, and subsequently drying the infused fruit. Cranberries contain anthocyanins, flavonols, flavan-3-ols, proanthocyanidins, and phenolic acid deriviatives.1

Health Benefits

The active compounds in cranberries may aid in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, urinary tract infections, and stomach ulcers caused by Helicobacter pylori because of its antibacterial and antioxidant properties.1,2 It has been suggested that adequate cranberry consumption may prevent buildup of plaque in the arteries (atherosclerosis).3

Cautions

Excessive intake of cranberry juice (1-2 liter/day) for an extended period (more than 3 weeks) may alter the effect of warfarin.4

References

  1. Côté J, Caillet S, Doyon G, Sylvain JF, Lacroix M. Bioactive compounds in cranberries and their biological properties. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2010 Aug;50(7):666-79. Review. PubMed PMID: 20694928.
  2. Jepson RG, Craig JC. Cranberries for preventing urinary tract infections. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2008 Jan 23;(1):CD001321. Update in: Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012;10:CD001321. PubMed PMID: 18253990
  3. Begcevic I, Simundic AM, Nikolac N, Dobrijevic S, Rajkovic MG, Tesija-Kuna A. Can cranberry extract and vitamin C + Zn supplements affect the in vivo activity of paraoxonase 1, antioxidant potential, and lipid status? Clin Lab. 2013;59(9-10):1053-60. PubMed PMID: 24273928.
  4. Srinivas NR. Cranberry juice ingestion and clinical drug-drug interaction potentials; review of case studies and perspectives. J Pharm Pharm Sci. 2013;16(2):289-303. Review. PubMed PMID: 23958198.