Fruit’s health benefits explored by The Cranberry Institute

The Cranberry Institute offers an in-depth look at the health benefits of cranberries in the diet.

The group’s Cranberry Health Research Library offers a comprehensive collection of the latest research on the health benefits of cranberries in the diet.

According to The Cranberry Institute, current research reveals:

• Cranberries are thought to provide health benefits due to their flavonoid and phytonutrient content. These naturally occurring compounds have antioxidant and antimicrobial benefits that are evident in the oral cavity, gastrointestinal tract and urinary tract;
• A specific type of flavonoid, proanthocyanidins in cranberries provide urinary tract benefits by interfering with the ability of pathogenic P-fimbriated E. coli to cause infections in the urinary tract;
• The majority of studies have focused on the cranberry’s role in urinary tract health, but the benefits extend beyond the urinary tract. Other key areas include the berry’s antimicrobial activities, cardiovascular and type 2 diabetes, and anti-cancer properties; and
• Cranberries provide numerous cardiovascular benefits. They have been shown to reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-oxidation, maintain or improve high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels, reducing platelet aggregation and improve vascular function.