(HealthNewsDigest.com) – Leading cranberry health researcher, Amy Howell, Ph.D., from the Marucci Center for Blueberry Cranberry Research at Rutgers University, recently presented evidence of the health benefits of cranberries to registered dietitians attending the American Dietetic Association’s annual meeting. Howell reviewed the nutritional profile of the cranberry – including it’s unique phytonutrient profile – and provided an in-depth review of the anti-adhesion potential and mechanisms. She reviewed the major studies supporting the health benefits of cranberry in urinary tract, oral cavity, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular and anti-cancer benefits.
Here is a snapshot of the information that the dietitians took home from Dr. Howell’s in-depth cranberry presentation:
Anti-Adhesion Properties
•Proanthocyanidins (PACs) have been identified as the active anti-adhesion compound in cranberry.
•Cranberry’s anti-adhesion mechanism interferes with the initial step in the infection process – it does not kill bacteria or treat like an antibiotic, it prevents infection.
Urinary Tract Health
•Clinical studies have found reductions in bacterial adhesion forces in the urine after consuming cranberry juice cocktail.
Oral Health
•The anti-adhesion properties of cranberry PACs have been shown to prevent or reduce dental caries in a rodent model, and may have potential benefits for periodontal health in humans.
Gastrointestinal Health
•PACs have been shown to prevent H. pylori adhesion to both the mucus and gastric cells, and inhibits bacterial growth, thereby helping to protect against stomach ulcers, a leading cause of stomach cancers.
Cardiovascular Health
•Cranberry helps to maintain cardiovascular health by decreasing inflexibility of the arteries, LDL oxidation and inflammation.
Cancer
•Cranberry may help inhibit cancer cell growth in the breast, colon and esophagus, as well as induce apoptosis and increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy for ovarian cancer treatment.
For more information on cranberries and health benefits, visit the Health Research Library on http://www.cranberryinstitute.org/.
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