Cranberries Help More Than Urinary Tract Infections!

By Dr. Michelle Kmiec | Contributing Writer 

We associate cranberries with the holidays because their peak harvest season is October through December. But even though there is only a small window of time that you can purchase the fresh berries in your local market, if frozen in airtight containers they can last up to a year! Did you know that in North America cranberries have historically been used as both a food and a natural medicine?

Cranberries are well known for their ability to treat and prevent urinary tract infections. They are loaded with phytonutrients, including proanthocyanidins, which have been shown to prevent certain bacteria from attaching to the lining of the bladder and urinary tract. It has been reported that the use of cranberries is most effective in treating women with recurrent urinary tract infections.

D-mannose, a naturally occurring sugar that is found in cranberries is extremely effective in the treatment and prevention of UTIs. So much so that it is becoming more widely used as a natural alternative to antibiotics which are typically prescribed for this condition. One study found that “D-mannose powder had significantly reduced the risk of recurrent UTI” in a group of women with a history of recurrent UTI. This is great news considering that the antibiotics most often prescribed for a UTI destroy the “good” bacteria that help to protect against infection caused by the “bad” (pathogenic) bacteria.

There are no known adverse side effects associated with D-mannose supplementation and because the body processes it differently than it does other sugars, it is safe for those avoiding sugar.

Research conducted at the University of Rochester Medical Centre found that the proanthocyanidins that may prevent urinary tract infections might also be beneficial in treating gum disease by preventing bacteria from binding to teeth. The anti-inflammatory properties of cranberries can also reduce inflammation around the gums thus lowering the risk of periodontal disease.

A 2008 study concluded that “cranberry components, especially those with high molecular weight, could serve as bioactive molecules for the prevention and/or treatment of oral diseases.”

Cranberries also have a high concentration of anthocyanidins, antioxidants that have been shown to inhibit the development of atherosclerosis, cancer and other degenerative diseases. There are also studies that suggest “a potential role for cranberry as a dietary chemo-preventative.”

In addition to anthocyanidins and proanthocyanidins, cranberries also contain the antioxidant quercetin. All three of these antioxidants, along with the fruit’s anti-inflammatory properties, add to the beneficial effect of cranberries on cardiovascular health.

Now that we are familiar with some of the many health benefits of cranberries, how about a few fun facts:

Cranberries are one of only three fruits native to North America, the other two being the blueberry and Concord grape. They are mainly grown in Wisconsin, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon, and Washington State. Wisconsin produces at least 60% of the Nation’s crop.

Cranberries bounce! They have even been called “bounceberries.” One way to tell if a cranberry is ripe is to see if it bounces.  Small pockets of air inside the cranberry account for its ability to bounce, so if the berry is not yet ripe or is damaged, it won’t bounce properly.

Cranberries contain almost 90% water.

Here’s a wonderful cranberry smoothie recipe that I know you’ll enjoy!

Originally published at onlineholistichealth.com and reproduced here with permission.

About the Author

Dr. Michelle Kmiec is a board-certified chiropractic physician who also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Biology, and a minor in Medical Research. She is a life-long athlete who after curing herself 100% naturally from MS and chronic anxiety, became an avid nutrition health researcher/promoter.

She has been featured in many Health magazines and has been a guest on radio talk shows in the USA, Canada, United Kingdom, and Australia. She is the author of the book “Healthcare Freedom Revolution: Exposing the Lies, Deceit and Greed of the Medical Profession”, Founder of Online Holistic Health, and a contributing writer for other popular informative health website/blogs. She is also co-founder of Crazy Meets Common Sense! – The Podcast that makes sense out of the crazy, to help you live a more healthy, fulfilling and empowering life!

For more, visit OnlineHolisticHealth.com or connect with Dr. Michelle Kmiec on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.