Health benefits and potential health benefits

Phytochemicals

Raw cranberries are a source ofpolyphenol antioxidants,phytochemicalsunder active research for possible benefits to thecardiovascular systemandimmune system, and as anti-canceragents.^[12][13]For example, onin-vitroprostate cancer cells.^[14]Althoughpolyphenolshave powerful antioxidant effectsin vitro, they can act as pro-oxidants in others.^{[clarification needed]}In addition, the health benefits of diets rich in plant-derived foods and beverages is uncertain, and the overall health benefit antioxidants is uncertain, and consumption of large quantities of them in fortified foods or supplements should not yet be encouraged.^[13]

Cranberry juice contains a chemical component, a highmolecular weightnon-dializablematerial (NDM), as noted above, that is able to inhibit and even reverse the formation ofplaquebyStreptococcus mutanspathogens that cause tooth decay.^[15][16]Cranberry juice components also show efficacy against formation ofkidney stones.^[17][18]

Raw cranberries and cranberry juice are abundant food sources of flavonoids such asproanthocyanidins,flavonolsandanthocyanidins^[19](cyanidin,peonidinandquercetin).^[20][21]These compounds have shown promise as anti-canceragents inin vitrostudies. However, their effectiveness in humans has not been established, and may be limited by poor absorption into cells and rapid elimination from the blood.

Since 2002, there has been an increasing focus on the potential role of cranberry polyphenolic constituents in preventing several types of cancer.^{[22][23][24][25][26]}In a 2001 University of Maine study that compared cranberries with twenty other fruits, cranberries had the largest amount of both free and total phenols, with red grapes at a distant second place.^[27]Cranberrytanninshave anti-clottingproperties and may prevent recurringurinary tract infectionsin women^[28]and the amount ofdental plaque-causing oral bacteria, thus being aprophylaxisforgingivitis.^[29]

Cranberries also containmalic acid.

[edit]Anti-adhesion properties

There is potential benefit of cranberry juice consumption against bacterial infections in theurinary system. Research shows that an effect occurs from a component of the juice inhibiting bacterial attachment to thebladderandurethra.^[30][31][32]

Although promising for anti-bacterial activity, long-term consumption of cranberry juice has not been proven to reduce urinary tract infections in whole populations. However, there is limited evidence for beneficial effects againsturinary tract infectionsin women.^[33]It has also been observed to have a relaxing effect, reducing stress. Similar applications have not been successfully proven in other clinical trials of consuming cranberry juice or tablets by people with spinal cord injury associated with bladdercatheterization,neurogenic bladderor infrequenturination, any of which may be associated with increased susceptibility to bacterial infections.^[34][35][36]