Cranberry and Probiotic Powerhouses Are The ‘Next Generation of Probiotic Nutrition’

UTIs are the most common infections affecting young adult women. They are so prevalent that half of all women will experience at least one UTI in their lifetime. While antibiotics are the standard care, new published research shows that Cran Naturelle organic cranberry and probiotics may work synergistically to reduce an E. coli infection, a common cause of UTIs. Results of this pre-clinical study were published in the Journal of Functional Foods.
 
Researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Complete Phytochemical Solutions, Fruit d’Or Nutraceuticals and UAS Laboratories examined the potential benefit of combining two powerful functional ingredients: bioactive proanthocyanidins (c-PAC) derived from organic cranberries and a probiotic formulation made with Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium.

 

Fruit d’Or was the first cranberry company to adopt the c-PAC reference standard as one that should be used in testing both soluble and insoluble PACs.
 
Cran Naturelle Cranberry and probiotics create a synbiosis, which is condition-specific and tailor-made for a particular benefit. This is the first synbiotic cranberry/probiotic supplement targeting women’s health for both UTIs and vaginal health.
 
Previous research has shown that c-PAC may obstruct pathogenic E. coli’s ability to adhere to epithelial cells in the urinary tract. Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium have previously been shown to support vaginal health.
 
Previous research has also found a synbiotic effect between cranberry and probiotics. The cranberry seed protein powder/probiotics formulation called LactoCran, formulated by Stephen Lukawski of Fruit d’Or Nutraceuticals, is more effective than FOS when combined with Bacillus coagulans MTCC 5856. Results show that Bacillus coagulans MTCC 5856 probiotic strain from Sabinsa has 200% more activity growth when combined with the cranberry than FOS.
 
The cranberry powder contains carbon and nitrogen, which feeds the Bacillus coagulans MTCC 5856 to give it fuel and provide its energy source. The cranberry also provides 40-50% fiber and 20-25% protein. The combination of fiber and protein creates a tailor-made synbiotic effect.
 
Based on this growing body of research, the combination of cranberry and probiotics is the next generation of probiotic nutrition.

 

For this in vitro study, the researchers looked at how c-PAC alone, probiotic formulations alone, or the combination of c-PAC and probiotic formulation may inhibit the ability of E. coli to invade epithelial cells. The researchers chose Fruit d’Or organic cranberry powder and UP4 probiotics, for their quality, purity and standardization.
 
It demonstrated the potential benefit of combining functional A-type c-PAC components in cranberry with probiotics. The results suggest that c-PAC interferes with an E. coli invasion by interacting directly with the bacteria’s surface. The probiotic blend appeared to significantly reduce the E. coli numbers by changing the environmental pH.
 
“Cran Naturelle was selected because of its superior quality testing program surrounding authenticity and adulteration, low water activity and standardization of high potency of PAC content containing both soluble and insoluble PACs,” according to Stephen Lukawski, Director of Sales and Business Development for Fruit d'Or. He adds, “The results are encouraging as components within the whole cranberry, such as protein and fiber, seems to provide a source of food for the probiotics to create this synbiotic effect.”
 
“Our study helps to confirm not only the health benefits of cranberry consumption and offers additional insight into mechanisms of action of cranberry PACs against E. coli responsible for infection, but also demonstrates the additional benefits of consuming probiotics alone or in combination with cranberry,” commented investigator Christian G. Krueger, chief executive officer, Complete Phytochemical Solutions.

 

“With increasing resistance to the antibiotics used to treat infections, it is important to find alternatives, such as cranberry and probiotics which help prevent infections, ultimately reducing the need for the antibiotics. Using alternative preventive measures will help preserve our current arsenal of antibiotics for when they are really needed.”
 
Lukawski adds that the results of this in vitro study are a precursor to a human clinical study, which he hopes to begin before the end of this year.
 
Not all cranberry ingredients and probiotics are the same
“The efficacy of this combination will vary depending on the quality and purity of the individual ingredients. Manufacturers should do their own testing for efficacy and stability. When combined, UP4 as a finished product, and Cran Naturelle as a branded whole-food cranberry ingredient, are best in class as both are supported by science,” says Lukawski.

 

“These are the go-to names – available at Target and health food retailers – that every woman should look for, for support of vaginal health and possible prevention of UTIs. Both are effective on the own, but perform better when combined.”