Cranberry's health benefits explored at Research Summit

07/10/05 Leading researchers gathered this week at the 2005 Cranberry Health Research Summit held at the New York Academy of Sciences to review the state of the science behind cranberry health and discuss future directions for cranberry research. October marks Cranberry Month as designated by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Two new studies funded this year by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will investigate the cranberry's power to prevent yeast infections and to promote cardiovascular health. These two studies expand a cranberry health research initiative that NIH developed four years ago primarily to research cranberries for the prevention of urinary tract infections and gum disease. The NIH began this multi-million dollar initiative as a result of promising clinical and laboratory research on the health benefits of the cranberry. The Cranberry Health Research Summit is a joint project of the Cranberry Institute, in partnership with Ocean Spray Cranberries.

New research has suggested that cranberries may have an anti-adhesion effect on certain harmful bacteria in the mouth and stomach that cause gum disease and stomach ulcers. The unique structure of compounds found in cranberries called proanthocyanidins, or PACs, are responsible for this anti- adhesion benefit. Furthermore, laboratory research suggests cranberries may also work against gastrointestinal viruses by preventing them from attaching to red blood cells or infecting host cells. Future research will investigate cranberry's potential to decrease cardiovascular inflammation and clogged arteries that can lead to heart attacks and stroke.

The NIH is also funding the first systematic study evaluating the potential benefits of cranberry for use in preventing fungal infections such as yeast infections. Nearly 75 percent of all adult women have had at least one yeast infection in their lifetime. Occasionally, men may also experience yeast infections. The latest cranberry research in this area may have an impact on this large portion of the population that suffers from this uncomfortable condition.

The NIH cranberry health research initiative is being led by The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) with additional support from the Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS), the National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) and the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR).

Cranberries have long been associated with helping prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs). UTIs are among the most common bacterial infections and the E. coli bacteria that cause them are now becoming increasingly resistant to commonly-prescribed antibiotics. Research suggests that drinking cranberry juice cocktail regularly may reduce the need for antibiotics by reducing the risk of the initial infection.