Cranberry

Possible benefits of the cranberry:

• Managing UTIs
• Reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease
• Slowing cancer progression
• Enhancing oral health 

Agricultural origin: Canada

Allergens

• Wheat: possible cross contamination
• Gluten: possible cross contamination
• Egg: absent
• Milk: absent
• Nuts: possible cross contamination

Nutritional values ( per 100 gram from supplier )

• Energy: 1291 Kj / 309 Kcal
• Fat: 1.5 g / of which saturated: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 71 / of which sugar: 65 g
• Fibers: 5.1 g
• Protein: 0.11 g
• Salt: 0.01 g

Managing UTIs

Cranberries played a role in traditional treatments for UTIs. However, research into the effects of cranberries on UTI treatment has produced some conflicting results. For example, one 2016 review found that medical professionals most commonly recommend cranberries for women with recurrent UTIs. Also, a 2014 study of 516 participants found that taking a capsule of cranberry extract twice per day reduced the incidence of UTIs. The high level of antioxidant proanthocyanidins (PACs) in cranberries helps prevent certain bacteria from sticking to the urinary tract walls. In this way, the PACs in cranberries help prevent infection. However, in one 2015 study, researchers found that although cranberry capsules can achieve this, cranberry juice is unlikely to have the same effect. This is because it takes a high concentration of the cranberry extract to prevent bacterial adhesion. Commercially available cranberry juices do not contain such high amounts of PACs.

Reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease

Some evidence suggests that the polyphenols contained in cranberries may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). A 2019 systematic review found that supplementing cranberries in the diet can help a person manage several risk factors for CVD. These include systolic blood pressure, which is the blood pressure during a contraction of the heart muscle. The review also found that cranberry supplementation helped reduce body mass index (BMI) and improve levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL), or “good,” cholesterol. 

Slowing cancer progression

A 2016 review of 34 preclinical studies revealed that cranberries or compounds in cranberries had several beneficial effects on cancer cells in test tubes. These included: triggering the death of cancer cells, slowing the growth of cancer cells and reduce inflammation. The review also suggests that cranberries can affect several other mechanisms that promote cancer growth and spread. Although testing on humans with cancer is limited, these findings show promise for the future management of some cancers alongside standard treatments.

Enhancing oral health

The PACs contained in cranberries may also benefit oral health. They do this by preventing bacteria from binding to the surface of teeth, according to researchers at the Center for Oral Biology and Eastman Department of Dentistry at the University of Rochester Medical Center in New York. Cranberries may also be beneficial in preventing gum disease.

Source reference

We have consulted scientific studies to substantiate additional information. You can find the source here: