Traditional Thanksgiving Menus in North America typically include cranberries, which are produced by low, creeping shrubs that grow wild in acidic bogs. Native Americans are believed to have been the first humans to use cranberries, employing them as both a food source and a medicine. Starting in the early nineteenth century, cranberries were exported to Europe.
Cranberries are typically processed into such products as sauces and juices, which tends to lower their nutrient levels. Raw cranberries, however, possess a wide range of healing phytochemicals and other nutrients which make it one of the top ten super foods for health. At least sixteen health conditions from arthritis to urinary tract infections have been shown in medical science studies to be treatable or preventable by cranberry consumption, including thirteen forms of cancer.
Prolongevity effects of an oregano and cranberry extract are diet dependent in the Mexican fruit fly (Anastrepha ludens). Zou S, Carey JR, Lideo P, Et al. J Gerontol A Sci Med Sci. 2010 Jan;65(1):41-50. Key Finding: “This study reveals the prolongevity effects of oregano and cranberry mixture and supports the emerging view that benefits botanicals on aging.”
A double-blinded, placebo-controlled, randomized trial of the neuropsychologic efficacy of cranberry juice in a sample of cognitively intact older adults: pilot study findings. Crews WD, Harrison DW, Griffin ML, Addison K, Yount AM, Giovenco MA, Hazell J. J Altern Complement Med. 2005 Apr;11(2):305-9. Key Findings: “The aim of this research was to conduct the first known clinical trial of the short-term (i.e. 6 weeks) efficacy of cranberry juice on the neuropsychological functioning of cognitively intact older adults. Taken together, no significant interactions were found between the cranberry and placebo groups and their pretreatment baseline and end-of-treatment phase standardized neuropsychological assessments. A non-significant trend was noted, however, on a subjective, self-report questionnaire where twice as many participants in the cranberry group rated their overall abilities to remember by treatment end as ‘improved’ compared to placebo controls.”
Antioxidant levels of common fruits, vegetables, and juices versus protective activity against in vitro ischemia/reperfusion. Bean H, Schuler C, Leggett RE, Levin RM. Int Urol Nephrol. 2009 Sep 19. (Epub ahead of print). Key Finding: “An assay was utilized to determine the antioxidant reactivity of a series of fruits, vegetables, and juices, and the results were compared to the protective ability of selected juices in an established in vitro rabbit bladder model of ischemia/reperfusion. The results showed that cranberry juice had the highest level of antioxidant reactivity, blueberry juice had an intermediate activity, and orange juice had the lowest. It was determined, however, that contrary to the hypothesis, the orange juice was significantly more potent in protecting the bladder against ischemia/reperfusion damage than either blueberry or cranberry juice.”
Cranberries and cranberry products: powerful in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo sources of antioxidants. Vinson JA, Bose P, Proch J, Al Kharrat H, Samman N. J Agric Food Chem. 2008 Jul 23;56(14):5884-91. Key Finding: “We investigated the effect of the consumption of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) and ascorbate with cranberry juice antioxidants or without cranberry juice (control) given to 10 normal individuals after an overnight fast. Plasma antioxidant capacity, glucose, triglycerides, and ascorbate were measured 6 times over 7 h after the consumption of a single 240 mL serving of the two different beverages. The control HFCS caused a slight decrease in plasma antioxidant capacity at all-time points and thus an oxidative stress in spite of the presence of ascorbate. Cranberry juice produced an increase in plasma antioxidant capacity that was significantly greater than control HFCS at all-time points. Postprandial triglycerides, due to fructose in the beverages, were mainly responsible for the oxidative stress and were significantly correlated with the oxidative stress as measured by the antioxidant capacity.”
Cranberry juice increases antioxidant status without affecting cholesterol homeostasis in orchidectomized rats. Deyhim F, Patil BS, Villarreal A, Lopez E, Garcia K, Rios R, Garcia C, Gonzales C, Mandadi K. J Med Food. 2007 Mar;10(1):49-53. Key Finding: “Drinking cranberry juice did not affect cholesterol concentrations in liver and in plasma. Triglyceride concentration in plasma of orchidectomized rats that were drinking cranberry juice increased, but its concentration in liver decreased to the level of shams. The protective effect of cranberry juice from oxidative damage may be mediated by a decrease in nitrate + nitrite and dose-dependent decrease in peroxidation.”
Cranberry juice improved antioxidant status without affecting bone quality in orchidectomized male rats. Villarreal A, Stoecker BJ, Garcia C, Garcia K, Rios R, Gonzales C, Mandadi K, Faraji B, Patil BS, Deyhim F. Phytomedicine. 2007 Dec;14(12):815-20. Key Finding: “Cranberry juice increases plasma antioxidant status without affecting bone quality.”
Protective effects of cranberries on infection-induced oxidative renal damage in a rabbit model of vasico-ureteric reflux. Han CH, Kim SH, Kang SH, Shin OR, Lee HK, Kim HJ, Cho YH. BJU Int. 2007 Nov;100(5):1172-5. Key Finding: “This study shows that cranberries have an anti-inflammatory effect through their antioxidant function and might prevent infection-induced oxidative renal damage. Thus, clinically cranberries might be used as a beneficial adjuvant treatment to prevent damage due to pyelonephritis in children with vesico-ureteric reflux.”
Antioxidant and antiproliferative activities of common fruits. Sun J, Chu YF, Wu X, Liu RH.J Agric Food Chem. 2002 Dec 4;50(25):7449-54. Key Finding: “Phytochemicals, especially phenolic, in fruits and vegetables are suggested to be the major bioactive compound for the health benefits associated with reduced risk of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and cancer. Cranberry had the highest total phenolic content, followed by apple, red grape, strawberry, pineapple, banana, peach, lemon, orange, pear, and grapefruit. Cranberry had the highest total antioxidant activity followed by apple, red grape, strawberry, peach, lemon, pear, banana, orange, grapefruit and pineapple. Antiproliferation activities were also studied in vitro using HepG(2) human liver-cancer cells, and cranberry showed the highest inhibitory effect followed by lemon, apple, strawberry, red grape, banana, grapefruit and peach.”
Effects of blueberry and cranberry juice consumption on the plasma antioxidant capacity of healthy female volunteers. Pedersen CB, Kyle J, Jenkinson AM, Gardner PT, McPhail DB, Duthie GG. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2000 May;54(5):405-8. Key Finding: “Consumption of cranberry juice resulted in a significant increase in the ability of plasma to reduce potassium nitrosodisulphonate and Fe(III)-2,4,6-Tri(2-pyridyl)-s-triazine, these measures of antioxidant capacity attaining a maximum after 60-120 min. This corresponded to a 30% increase in vitamin C and a small but significant increase in total phenols in plasma. Consumption of blueberry juice had no such effects.”
Antiviral effects on bacteriophages and rotavirus by cranberry juice. Lipson SM, Sethi L, Cohen P, Gordon RE, Tan IP, Burdowski A, Stotzky G. Phytomedicine. 2007 Jan;14(1):23-30. Key Finding: “The data suggest, for the first time, a nonspecific antiviral effect towards unrelated viral species (vis., bacteriophages T2 and T4 and the simian rotavirus SA-11) by a commercially available cranberry fruit juice drink.”
Natural products as a gold mine for arthritis treatment. Khanna D, Sethi G, Ahn KS, Pandey MK, Kunnumakkara AB, Sung B, Aggarwal A, Aggarwal BB. Curr Opin Pharmacol. 2007 Jun;7(3):344-51. Key Finding: “The large numbers of inexpensive natural products that can modulate inflammatory responses, but lack side effects, constitute ‘goldmines’ for the treatment of arthritis. Numerous agents derived from plants can suppress cell signaling intermediates, including curcumin, resveratrol, cranberries and peanuts, tea polyphenols, genistein, quercetin from onions, silymarin from artichoke.”
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease triggered by Proteus urinary tract infection. Ebringer A, Rashid T. Clin Dev. Immunol. 2006 Mar;13(1):41-8. Key Finding: “Extensive evidence based on the results of various microbial, immunological and molecular studies from different parts of the world, shows that a strong link exists between Proteus mirabilis microbes and rheumatoid arthritis. We propose that sub-clinical Proteus urinary tract infections are the main triggering factors. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis, especially during the early stages of the disease, could benefit from Proteus anti-bacterial measures including high intake of fruit juices such as cranberry.”
Rheumatoid arthritis: proposal for the use of anti-microbial therapy in early cases. Ebringer A, Rashid T, Wilson C. Scand J Rheumatol. 2003;32(1):2-11. Key Finding: “Our working hypothesis is that rheumatoid arthritis develops as a result of repeated episodes of Proteus upper urinary tract infections. Antibiotics, high fluid intake, and fruit extracts, such as cranberry juice, have all been found to be effective in the treatment of urinary tract infections. Such measures could be used as possible additional adjuncts to the standard therapy.”
Cranberry flavonoids, atherosclerosis and cardiovascular health. Reed J. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2002;42(3 Suppl):301-16. Key Finding: “This article reviews the literature on the effects of flavonoids on atherosclerosis with an emphasis on the potential effects of the flavonols and proanthocyanidin in cranberries.”
Proanthocyanidin from the American Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) inhibit matrix metalloproteinase-2 and matrix metalloproteinase-9 activity in human prostate cancer cells via alterations in multiple cellular signaling pathways. Deziel BA, Patel K, Neto C, Gottschall-Pass K, Hurta RA. J Cell Biochem. 2010 Oct 15;111(3):742-54. Key Finding: “It is believed that an individual’s diet affects his risk of developing prostate cancer. In this study we document the effects of proanthocyanidin from the American Cranberry on MMP activity in DU145 human prostate cancer cells. Cranberry decreased cellular viability of DU145 cells at a concentration of 25 ug/ml by 30% after 6 hour of treatment.”
Bioactive compounds in cranberries and their biological properties. Cote J, Cailet S, Doyon G, Sylvain JF, Lacroix M. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2010 Aug;50(7):666-79. Key Finding: “Numerous phytochemicals present in cranberries – the anthocyanin, the flavonols, the flaven-3-ols, the proanthocyanidin, and the phenolic acid derivatives. The presence of these phytochemicals appears to be responsible for the cranberry property of preventing many diseases and infections, including cardiovascular diseases, various cancers, and infections involving the urinary tract, dental health, and Helicobacter pylori-induced stomach ulcers and cancers.”
Cranberry proanthocyanidin are cytotoxic to human cancer cells and sensitize platinum-resistant ovarian cancer cells to paraplatin. Singh AP, Singh RK, Kim KK, Satyan KS, Nussbaum R, Torres M, Brard L, Vorsa N. Phytother Res. 2009 Aug;23(8):1066-74. Key Finding: “Polyphenol extracts of the principal flavonoid classes present in cranberry were screened in vitro for cytotoxicity against solid tumor cell lines, identifying two fractions composed principally of proanthocyanidin with potential anticancer activity.”
Cranberry phytochemical extract inhibits SGC-7901 cell growth and human tumor xenografts in Balb/c nu/nu mice. Liu M, Lin LQ, Song BB, Wang LF, Zhang CP, Zhao JL, Liu JR. J Agric Food Chem. 2009 Jan 28;57(2):762-8. Key Finding: “Cranberry extract possesses potent antioxidant capacity and antiproliferative activity against cancer in vitro and in vivo. The objectives of this study were to determine whether the cranberry extract inhibited proliferation of human gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells and human gastric tumor xenografts in the Balb/c nu/nu mouse. Cranberry extract at doses of 0, 5, 10, 20, and 40 mg/mL significantly inhibited proliferation of SGC-7901 cells, and this suppression was partly attributed to decreased PCNA expression and apoptosis induction. In a human tumor xenograft model, the time of human gastric tumor xenografts in the mouse was delayed in a dose-dependent manner.”
The effect of a novel botanical agent TBS-101 on invasive prostate cancer in animal models. Evans S, Dizeyi N, Abrahamsson PA, Persson J. Anticancer Res. 2009 Oct;29(10):3917-24. Key Finding: “The natural botanical agent TBS-101 (containing Panax ginseng, cranberry, green tea, grape skin, grape seed, Ganoderma lucdum and chamomile) has a good safety profile and significant anticancer activities in hormone-refractory PC-3 cells and large aggressive PC-3 tumors in a xenograft mouse model and has great potential for the treatment of aggressive prostate cancer.”
Cranberry proanthocyanidin induce apoptosis and inhibit acid-induced proliferation of human esophageal adenocarcinoma cells. Kresty LA, Howell AB, Baird M. J Agric Food Chem. 2008 Feb 13;56(3):676-80. Key Finding: “This study sought to investigate the chemo preventive potential of a cranberry proanthocyanidin rich extract in SEG-1 human esophageal adenocarcinoma cells. The extract pretreatment significantly inhibited the viability and proliferation of EAC cells in a time and dose-dependent manner. Moreover, the extract significantly inhibited acid-induced cell proliferation of SEG-1 cells. Extract treatment induced cell cycle arrest at the G1 checkpoint and significantly reduced the percentage of SEG-1 cells in S-phase following 24 and 48 h of exposure. Extract treatment also resulted in significant induction of apoptosis.”
Effect of cranberry juice concentrate on chemically-induced urinary bladder cancers. Prasain JK, Jones K, Moore R, Barnes S, Leahy M, Roderick R, Juliana MM, Grubbs CJ. Oncol Rep. 2008 Jun;19(6):1565-70. Key Finding: “The chemo-preventive efficacy of cranberry juice concentrate in an experimental model of urinary bladder cancer was evaluated using female Fischer-344 rats. These data suggest that components of cranberries may be effective in preventing urinary bladder carcinogenesis.”
Anticancer activities of cranberry phytochemicals: an update. Neto CC, Amoroso JW, Liberty AM. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2008 Jun;52 Suppl 1:S18-27. Key Finding: “Studies employing mainly vitro tumor models show that extract and compounds isolated from cranberry fruit inhibit the growth and proliferation of several types of tumor including breast, colon, prostate, and lung. Proanthocyanidin oligomers, flavonol and anthocyanin glycosides and triterpenoids are all likely contributors to the observed anticancer properties and may act in a complementary fashion to limit carcinogenesis.”
Cranberry juice constituents impair lymphoma growth and augment the generation of antilymphoma antibodies in syngeneic mice. Hochman N, Houri-Haddad Y, Koblinski J, Wahl L, Roniger M, Bar-Sinai A, Weiss EI, Hochman J. Nutr Cancer. 2008;60(4):511-7. Key Finding: “Here we show that a fraction (nondialyzable material (NDM) of a molecular weight range 12,000-30,000 derived from cranberry juice impairs in vitro growth and invasion through extracellular matrix of Rev-2-T-6 murine lymphoma cells. Furthermore, intraperitoneal injection of this fraction at nontoxic doses both inhibits the growth of Rev-2-T-6 tumors in vivo and enhances the generation of antilymphoma antibodies. These findings demonstrate the in vivo efficacy of cranberry components against malignant lymphoma in immune competent hosts.”
Cranberry and Grape Seed Extracts Inhibit the Proliferative Phenotype of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinomas. Chatelain K, Phippen S, McCabe J, Teeters CA, O’Malley S, Kingsley K. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2008 Jul 23. (Epub ahead of print). Key Finding: “This study represents one of the first comparative investigations of cranberry and grape seed extracts and their anti-proliferative effects on oral cancers. These observations provide evidence that cranberry and grape seed extracts not only inhibit oral cancer proliferation but also that the mechanism of this inhibition may function by triggering key apoptotic regulators in these cell lines.”
Cranberry and its phytochemicals: a review of in vitro anticancer studies. Neto CC. J Nutr. 2007 Jan;137(1 Suppl):186S-193S. Key Finding: “The unique combination of phytochemicals found in cranberry fruit may produce synergistic health benefits. Possible chemo preventive mechanisms of action by cranberry phytochemicals include induction of apoptosis in tumor cells, reduced ornithine decarboxylase activity, decreased expression of matrix metalloproteinase associated with prostate tumor metastasis, and anti-inflammatory activities including inhibition of cyclooxygenases.”
Inhibition of cancer cell proliferation and suppression of TNF-induced activation of NFkappaB by edible berry juice. Boivin D, Blanchette M, Barrette S, Moghrabi A, Beliveau R. Anticancer Res. 2007 Mar-Apr;27(2):937-48. Key Finding: “These results illustrate that berry juices have striking differences in their potential chemo preventive activity and that the inclusion of a variety of berries in the diet might be useful for preventing the development of tumors. The growth of various cancer cell lines, including those of stomach, prostate, intestine and breast, was strongly inhibited by raspberry, black currant, white currant, gooseberry, velvet leaf blueberry, low-bush blueberry, sea buckthorn and cranberry juice, but not (or only slightly) by strawberry, high-bush blueberry, serviceberry, red currant, or blackberry juice.”
Flavonoids and Vitamin E Reduce the Release of the Angiogenic Peptide Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor from Human Tumor Cells. Schindler R, Mentlein R. J Nutr. 2006 Jun;136:1477-1482. Key Finding: “The rank order of inhibitory potency on MDA human breast cancer cells was naringin>rutin>a-tocopheryl succinate>lo vastatin>apigenin>genistein>a-tocopherol>kaempferol. Chrysin and curcumin were inactive except at a concentration of 100 umol/L. Overall, the glycosylated flavonoids (i.e. naringin, a constituent of citrus fruits, and rutin, a constituent of cranberries) induced the greatest response to treatment at the lowest concentration in MDA human breast cancer cells. Inhibition of VEGF release by flavonoids, tocopherols, and lovastatin suggests a novel mechanism for mammary cancer prevention.”
Blackberry, black raspberry, blueberry, cranberry, red raspberry, and strawberry extracts inhibit growth and stimulate apoptosis of human cancer cells in vitro. Seeram NP, Adams LS, Zhang Y, Lee R, Sand D, Scheuller HS, Heber D. J Agric Food Chem. 2006 Dec 13;54(25):9329-39. Key Finding: “The berry extracts were evaluated for their ability to inhibit the growth of human oral, breast, colon and prostate tumor cell lines at concentrations ranging from 25 to 200 micro g/ml. With increasing concentration of berry extract, increasing inhibition of cell proliferation in all of the cancer cell lines was observed, with different degrees of potency between cell lines. The berry extracts were also evaluated for their ability to stimulate apoptosis of the COX-2 expressing colon cancer cell line, HT-29. Black raspberry and strawberry extracts showed the most significant pro-apoptotic effects against this cell line.”
Cranberry phytochemical extracts induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in human MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Sun J, Hai Liu R. Cancer Lett. 2006 Sep 8;241(1): 124-34. Key Finding: “These results suggest that cranberry phytochemical extracts possess the ability to suppress the proliferation of human breast cancer MCF-7 cells at doses of 5 to 30mg/ml, and this suppression is at least partly attributed to both the initiation of apoptosis and the G1 phase arrest.”
The effects of cranberry juice consumption on antioxidant status and biomarkers relating to heart disease and cancer in healthy human volunteers. Duthie SJ, Jenkinson AM, Crozier A, Mullen W, Pirie L, Kyle J, Yap LS, Christen P, Duthie GG. Eur J Nutr. 2006 Mar;45(2):113-22. Key Finding: “Cranberry juice consumption did not affect 8-oxo-deoxyguanosine in urine or endogenous or H(2)O(2)-induced DNA damage in lymphocytes. Cranberry juice consumption did not alter blood or cellular antioxidant status or several biomarkers of lipid status pertinent to heart disease. Similarly, cranberry juice had no effect on basal or induced oxidative DNA damage. These results show the importance of distinguishing between the in vitro and in vivo antioxidant activities of dietary anthocyanin in relation to human health.”
In vivo inhibition of growth of human tumor lines by flavonoid fractions from cranberry extract. Ferguson PJ, Kurowska EM, Freeman DJ, Chambers AF, Koropatnick J. Nutr Cancer. 2006;56(1):86-94. Key Finding: “As model systems for testing cranberry flavonoid activity, human tumor cells lines representative of three malignancies were chosen: glioblastoma multiforme (U87), colon carcinoma (HT-29), and androgen-independent prostate carcinoma (DU145). A falvonoid-rich fraction 6 (Fr6) and a more purified proanthocyanidin (PAC)-rich fraction were isolated from cranberry press cake and whole cranberry, respectively. Fr6 and PAC each significantly slowed the growth of explant tumors of U87 in vivo, and PAC inhibited growth of HT-29 and DU145 explants, inducing complete regression of two Du145 tumor explants. Flow cytometric analyses of in vitro-treated U87 cells indicated that Fr6 and PAC could arrest cells in G1 phase of the cell cycle (P<0.05) and also induce cell death within 24 to 48 h of exposure. These results indicate the presence of a potential anticancer constituent in the flavonoid-containing fractions from cranberry extracts.”
Total cranberry extract versus its phytochemical constituents: antiproliferative and synergistic effects against human tumor cell lines. Seeram NP, Adams LS, Hardy ML, Heber D.J Agric Food Chem. 2004 May 5;52(9):2512-7. Key Finding: “All cranberry fractions were evaluated against human oral, colon, and prostate cancer cell lines. The total polyphenol fractions was the most effective against all cell lines with 96.1 and 95% inhibition of KB and CAL27 oral cancer cells, respectively. For the colon cancer cells, the antiproliferative activity of this fraction was greater against HCT116 (92.1%) than against HT-29 (61.1%), SW480 (60%) and SW620 (63%).The enhanced antiproliferative activity of total polyphenols compared to total cranberry extract and its individual phytochemicals suggests synergistic or additive antiproliferative interactions of the anthocyanin, proanthocyanidin, and flavonol glycosides within the cranberry extract.”
A flavonoid fraction from cranberry extract inhibits proliferation of human tumor cell lines. Ferguson PJ, Kurowska E, Freeman DJ, Chambers AF, Koropatnick DJ. J Nutr. 2004 Jun;134(6):1529-35. Key Finding: “Cranberry press cake (the material remaining after squeezing juice from the berries) when fed to mice bearing human breast tumor MDA-MB-435 cells, was shown previously to decrease the growth and metastasis of tumors. Further studies were undertaken to isolate the components of cranberry that contributed to this anticancer activity and determine the mechanisms by which they inhibited proliferation. Using standard chromatographic techniques, a warm-water extract of cranberry press cake was fractionated and an acidified methanol eluate (Fraction 6, or Fr6) containing flavonoids demonstrated antiproliferative activity. The extract inhibited proliferation of 8 human tumor cell lines of multiple origins. The androgen-dependent prostate cell line LNCaP was the most sensitive of those tested (10 mg/L Fr6 inhibited its growth by 50%.) Other human tumor lines originating from breast (MCF-7), skin (SK-MEL-5), colon (HT-29), lung (DMS114), and brain (U87) had intermediate sensitivity to Fr6.”
A randomized trial of cranberry versus apple juice in the management of urinary symptoms during external beam radiation therapy for prostate cancer. Campbell G, Picles T, D’yachkova Y. Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol). 2003 Sep;15(6):322-8. Key Finding: “One hundred and twelve men with prostate cancer were randomized to either 354 ml cranberry juice or apple juice a day. We observed no significant differences for DRT related to the consumption of cranberry compared with apple juice. However, we found a significant difference between the history of a previous transurethral resection of prostate that was associated with lower values for both end points.”
Antioxidant and antiproliferative activities of common fruits. Sun J, Chu YF, Wu X, Liu RH.J Agric Food Chem. 2002 Dec 4;50(25):7449-54. Key Finding: “Phytochemicals, especially phenolic, in fruits and vegetables are suggested to be the major bioactive compound for the health benefits associated with reduced risk of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and cancer. Cranberry had the highest total phenolic content, followed by apple, red grape, strawberry, pineapple, banana, peach, lemon, orange, pear, and grapefruit. Cranberry had the highest total antioxidant activity followed by apple, red grape, strawberry, peach, lemon, pear, banana, orange, grapefruit and pineapple. Antiproliferation activities were also studied in vitro using HepG(2) human liver-cancer cells, and cranberry showed the highest inhibitory effect followed by lemon, apple, strawberry, red grape, banana, grapefruit and peach.”
Composition of a chemo preventive proanthocyanidin-rich fraction from cranberry fruits responsible for the inhibition of 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity. Kandil FE, Smith MA, Rogers RB, Pepin MF, Song LL, Pezzuto JM, Seigler DS.J Agric Food Chem. 2002 Feb 27;50(5):1063-9. Key Finding: “Antioxidant activity was not restricted to a particular class of components in the extract but was found in a wide range of the fractions. Significant chemo preventive activity, as indicated by an ornithine decarboxylase assay, was localized in one particular proanthocyanidin-rich fraction. Further fractionation of the active anticarcinogenic fraction revealed the following components: seven flavonoids, mainly quercetin, myricetin, the corresponding 3-O-glycosides, (-)-epicatechin, (+)-catechin, and dimers of both gallocatechin and spigallocatechin types, and a series of oligomeric proanthocyanidin.”
Antioxidant activities and antitumor screening of extracts from cranberry fruit (Vaccinium macrocarpon). Yan X, Murphy BT, Hammond GB, Vinson JA, Neto CC. J Agric Food Chem. 2002 Oct 9;50(21):5844-9. Key Finding: “Extracts of whole fruit were assayed for radical-scavenging activity and tumor growth inhibition using seven tumor cell lines. Selective inhibition of K562 and HT-29 cells was observed from a methanolic extract in the range of 16-125 microg/ml. Radical-scavenging activity was greatest in an extract composed primarily of flavonol glycosides. Most of the flavonol glycosides showed antioxidant activity comparable or superior to that of vitamin E.”
In vitro anticancer activity of fruit extracts from Vaccinium species. Bomser J, Madhavi DL, Singletary K, Smith MA. Planta Med. 1996 Jun;62(3):212-6. Key Finding: “Components of the hexane/chloroform fraction of bilberry and of the proanthocyanidin fraction of low bush blueberry, cranberry, and lingonberry exhibit potential anticarcinogenic activity as evaluated by in vitro screening tests. The concentrations of these crude extracts needed to inhibit ornithine decarboxylase activity by 50% were 8.0 (low bush blueberry) 7.0 (cranberry) 9.0 micrograms (lingonberry.)”
Bioactive compounds in cranberries and their biological properties. Cote J, Cailet S, Doyon G, Sylvain JF, Lacroix M. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2010 Aug;50(7):666-79. Key Finding: “Numerous phytochemicals present in cranberries – the anthoycanins, the flavonols, the flaven-3-ols, the proanthocyanidin, and the phenolic acid derivatives. The presence of these phytochemicals appears to be responsible for the cranberry property of preventing many diseases and infections, including cardiovascular diseases, various cancers, and infections involving the urinary tract, dental health, and Helicobacter pylori-induced stomach ulcers and cancers.”
Effects of a flavonol-rich diet on select cardiovascular parameters in a Golden Syrian hamster model. Kalgaonkar S, Gross HB, Yokoyama W, Et al. J Med Food. 2010 Feb;13(1):108-15. Key Finding: “Results obtained from this study support the concept that the chronic consumption of a flavonoid-rich diet from cranberries can be beneficial with respect to cardiovascular health.”
Low-calorie cranberry juice supplementation reduces plasma oxidized LDL and cell adhesion molecule concentrations in men. Ruel G, Pomerleau S, Couture P, Lemieux S, Lamarche B, Couillard C. Br J Nutr. 2008 Feb;99(2):352-9. Key Finding: “Elevated circulating concentrations of oxidized LDl and cell adhesion molecules are considered to be relevant markers of oxidative stress and endothelial activation which are implicated in the development of cardiovascular disease. Thirty men consumed increasing daily doses of cranberry juice cocktail (125, 250 and 500 ml/d) over three successive periods of 4 weeks. We noted a significant decrease in plasma OxLDL concentrations following the intervention. We also found that plasma ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 concentrations decreased significantly during the course of the study.”
(Vaccinium macrocarpon) and cardiovascular disease risk factors. Cranberries McKay DL, Blumberg JB. Nutr Rev. 2007 Nov;65(11):490-502. Key Finding: “A growing body of evidence suggests that polyphenols, including those found in cranberries, may contribute to reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease by increasing the resistance of LDL to oxidation, inhibiting platelet aggregation, reducing blood pressure, and via other anti-thrombotic and anti-inflammatory mechanisms.”
Evidence of the cardio protective potential of fruits: the case of cranberries. Ruel G, Couillard C. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2007 Jun;51(6):692-701. Key Finding: “Consumption of cranberries or their related products could be of importance not only in the maintenance of health but also in preventing cardiovascular disease. This review presents evidence supported for the most part by clinical observations that cranberries can exert potentially healthy effects for your heart.”
Cranberry and blueberry: evidence for protective effects against cancer and vascular diseases. Neto CC. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2007 Jun;51(6):652-64. Key Finding: “Growing evidence from tissue culture, animal, and clinical models suggests that the flavonoid-rich fruits of the North American cranberry and blueberry have the potential ability to limit the development and severity of certain cancers and vascular diseases including atherosclerosis, ischemic stroke, and neurodegenerative diseases of aging.”
Cranberries (Vaccinium macrocarpon) and cardiovascular disease risk factors. McKay DL, Blumberg JB. Nutr Rev. 2007 Nov;65(11):490-502. Key Finding: “A growing body of evidence suggests that polyphenols, including those found in cranberries, may contribute to reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease by increasing the resistance of LDL to oxidation, inhibiting platelet aggregation, reducing blood pressure, and via other anti-thrombotic and anti-inflammatory mechanisms.”
Evidences of the card protective potential of fruits: the case of cranberries. Ruel G, Couillard C. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2007 Jun;51(6):692-701. Key Finding: “Consumption of cranberries or their related products could be of importance not only in the maintenance of health but also in preventing cardiovascular disease. This review presents evidences supported for the most part by clinical observations that cranberries can exert potentially healthy effects for your heart.”
Cranberries (Vaccinium macrocarpon) and cardiovascular disease risk factors. McKay DL, Blumberg JB. Nutr Rev. 2007 Nov;65(11):490-502. Key Finding: “A growing body of evidence suggests that polyphenols, including those found in cranberries, may contribute to reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease by increasing the resistance of LDL to oxidation, inhibiting platelet aggregation, reducing blood pressure, and via other anti-thrombotic and anti-inflammatory mechanisms.”
Cranberries inhibit LDL oxidation and induce LDL receptor expression in hepatocytes. Chu YF, Liu RH. Life Sci. 2005 Aug 26;77(15):1892-901. Key Finding: “Cranberries were evaluated for their potential roles in dietary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Cranberry extracts were found to have potent antioxidant capacity preventing in vitro LDL oxidation with increasing delay and suppression of LDL oxidation in a dose dependent manner. We propose that additive or synergistic effects of phytochemicals in cranberries are responsible for the inhibition of LDL oxidation, the induced expression of LDL receptors, and the increased uptake of cholesterol in hepatocytes.”
Changes in plasma antioxidant capacity and oxidized low-density lipoprotein levels in men after short-term cranberry juice consumption. Ruel G, Pomerleau S, Couture P, Lamarche B, Coullard C. Metabolism. 2005 Jul;54(7):856-61. Key Finding: “Our results show that short-term cranberry juice supplementation is associated with significant increase in plasma antioxidant capacity and reduction in circulating OxLDL concentrations. Although the physiological relevance of our observations needs to be further examined, our study supports the potential role of antioxidant-rich foods in maintaining health and preventing cardiovascular disease.”
Antioxidant and antiproliferative activities of common fruits. Sun J, Chu YF, Wu X, Liu RH.J Agric Food Chem. 2002 Dec 4;50(25):7449-54. Key Finding: “Phytochemicals, especially phenolics, in fruits and vegetables are suggested to be the major bioactive compound for the health benefits associated with reduced risk of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and cancer. Cranberry had the highest total phenolic content, followed by apple, red grape, strawberry, pineapple, banana, peach, lemon, orange, pear, and grapefruit. Cranberry had the highest total antioxidant activity followed by apple, red grape, strawberry, peach, lemon, pear, banana, orange, grapefruit and pineapple. Antiproliferation activities were also studied in vitro using HepG(2) human liver-cancer cells, and cranberry showed the highest inhibitory effect followed by lemon, apple, strawberry, red grape, banana, grapefruit and peach.”
Cranberry juice increases antioxidant status without affecting cholesterol homeostasis in orchidectomized rats. Deyhim F, Patil BS, Villarreal A, Lopez E, Garcia K, Rios R, Garcia C, Gonzales C, Mandadi K. J Med Food. 2007 Mar;10(1):49-53. Key Finding: “Drinking cranberry juice did not affect cholesterol concentrations in liver and in plasma. Triglyceride concentration in plasma of orchidectomized rats that were drinking cranberry juice increased, but its concentration in liver decreased to the level of shams. The protective effect of cranberry juice from oxidative damage may be mediated by a decrease in nitrate + nitrite and dose-dependent decrease in peroxidation.”
Favorable impact of low-calorie cranberry juice consumption on plasma HDL-cholesterol concentrations in men. Ruel G, Pemerleau S, Couture P, Lemieux S, Lamarche B, Couillard C. Br J Nutr. 2006 Aug;96(2):357-64. Key Finding: “The present results show that daily cranberry juice cocktail consumption is associated with an increase in plasma HDL-cholesterol concentrations in abdominally obese men. We hypothesize that polyphenol compounds from cranberries may be responsible for this effect, supporting the notion that the consumption of flavonoid-rich foods can be cardio protective.”
Cranberries inhibit LDL oxidation and induce LDL receptor expression in hepatocytes. Chu YF, Liu RH. Life Sci. 2005 Aug 26;77(15):1892-901. Key Finding: “The antioxidant activity of 100 g cranberries against LDL oxidation was equivalent to 1000 mg vitamin C or 3700 mg vitamin E. Cranberry extracts also significantly induced expression of hepatic LDL receptors and increased intracellular uptake of cholesterol in HepG2 cells in vitro in a dose-dependent manner. This suggests that cranberries could enhance clearance of excessive plasma cholesterol in circulation. We propose that additive or synergistic effects of phytochemicals in cranberries are responsible for the inhibition of LDL oxidation, the induced expression of LDL receptors, and the increased uptake of cholesterol in hepatocytes.”
Cranberry extract inhibits low density lipoprotein oxidation. Wilson T, Porcari JP, Harbin D. Life Sci. 1998;62(24):PL381-6. Key Finding: “The effect of cranberry juice on heart disease has not been investigated. We evaluated how a cranberry extract affected low density lipoprotein oxidation. This study suggests that cranberry extracts have the ability to inhibit the oxidative modification of LDL particles.”
Preventive effect of a pectic polysaccharide of the common cranberry Vaccinium oxycoccos L. on acetic acid-induced colitis in mice. Popov SV, Markov PA, Nikitina IR, Petri-shev S, Smirnov V, Ovodov YS. World J Gastroenterol. 2006 Nov 7;12(41):6646-51. Key Finding: “A preventive effect of pectin from the common cranberry, namely oxycoccusan OP, on acetic acid-induced colitis in mice was detected. A reduction of neutrophil infiltration and antioxidant action may be implicated in the protective effect of oxycoccusan.”
Glycemic responses to sweetened dried and raw cranberries in humans with type 2 diabetes. Wilson T, Luebke JL, Morcomb EF, Et al. J Food Sci. 2010 Oct;75(8):H218-23. Key Finding: “This study compares phenolic content and glycemic responses among different cranberry products. Sweetened dried cranberries containing less sugar were associated with a favorable glycemic and insulinemic response in type 2 diabetics.”
Potential of cranberry powder for management of hyperglycemia using in vitro models. Pinto MS, Ghaedian R, Shinde R, Shetty K. J Med Food. 2010 Oct; 13(5): 1036-44. Key Finding: “These in vitro results indicate the potential of cranberry powders as dietary supplement and food-based strategies for potential hyperglycemia management.”
Human glycemic response and phenolic content of unsweetened cranberry juice. Wilson T, Singh AP, Vorsa N, Goettl CD, Kittleson KM, Roe CM, Kastello GM, Ragsdale FR. J Med Food. 2008 Mar;11(1):46-54. Key Finding: “This study suggests that the consumption of low-calorie cranberry juice in previously uncharacterized trimer and heptamer proanthocyanidin is associated with a favorable glycemic response and may be beneficial for persons with impaired glucose tolerance.”
Favorable glycemic response of type 2 diabetics to low-calorie cranberry juice. Wilson T, Meyers SL, Singh AP, Limburg PJ, Vorsa N. J Food Sci. 2008 Nov;73(9):H241-5. Key Finding: “Relative to conventionally sweetened preparation, unsweetened low-calorie cranberry juice provides a favorable metabolic response and should be useful for promoting increased fruit consumption among type 2 diabetics.”
Effect of cranberry extracts on lipid profiles in subjects with Type 2 diabetes. Lee IT, Chan YC, Lin CW, Lee WJ, Sheu WH. Diabet Med. 2008 Dec;25(12):1473-7. Key Finding: “Cranberry supplements are effective in reducing atherosclerotic cholesterol profiles, including LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol levels, as well as total HDL cholesterol ratio, and has a neutral effect on glycemic control in Type 2 diabetic subjects taking oral glucose-lowering agents.”
Potential of cranberry-based herbal synergies for diabetes and hypertension management. Apostolidis E, Kwon YI, Shetty K. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2006;15(3):433-41. Key Finding: “Water soluble cranberry-based phytochemical combinations with oregano, rosemary, and Rhodiola rosea were evaluated for total phenolic content, related antioxidant activity and inhibition of diabetes management-related alpha-glucosidase, pancreatic alpha-amylase inhibition, and hypertension-related ACE-I inhibitory activities. The 75% cranberry and 25% oregano combinations had the highest phenolic among all combinations tested; that same combination also had the highest DPPH radical inhibition activity, and the highest ACE-I inhibitory activity. By bringing together synergistic combinations to cranberry, health beneficial functionality was enhanced. This enhanced functionality in terms of high alpha-glycosidase and alpha-amylase inhibitory activities indicate the potential for diabetes management, and high ACE-I inhibitory activity indicates the potential for hypertension management.”
Potential of cranberry-based phytochemical synergies for diabetes and hypertension management. Kwon YI, Lin YT, Shetty K. Department of Food Science, University of Massachusetts. 2005; http://ift.confex.com/direct/ift/2005/techprogram/paper_29028.htm. Key Finding: “There is a synergistic inhibitory effect of various phytochemical combinations on above enzyme activities. These findings indicate that cranberry-based phytochemical synergies have potential as functional ingredients in the dietary management of diabetes and hypertension.”
Potential of cranberry-based herbal synergies for diabetes and hypertension management. Apostolidis E, Kwon YI, Shetty K. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2006;15(3):433-41. Key Finding: “Water soluble cranberry-based phytochemical combinations with oregano, rosemary, and Rhodiola roses were evaluated for total phenolic content, related antioxidant activity and inhibition of diabetes management-related alpha-glycosidase, pancreatic alpha-amylase inhibition, and hypertension-related ACE-I inhibitory activities. The 75% cranberry and 25% oregano combinations had the highest phenolic among all combinations tested; that same combination also had the highest DPPH radical inhibition activity, and the highest ACE-I inhibitory activity. By bringing together synergistic combinations to cranberry, health beneficial functionality was enhanced. This enhanced functionality in terms of high alpha-glycosidase and alpha-amylase inhibitory activities indicate the potential for diabetes management, and high ACE-I inhibitory activity indicates the potential for hypertension management.”
Potential of cranberry-based phytochemical synergies for diabetes and hypertension management. Kwon YI, Lin YT, Shetty K. Department of Food Science, University of Massachusetts. 2005; http://ift.confex.com/direct/ift/2005/techprogram/paper_29028.htm. Key Finding: “There is a synergistic inhibitory effect of various phytochemical combinations on above enzyme activities. These findings indicate that cranberry-based phytochemical synergies have potential as functional ingredients in the dietary management of diabetes and hypertension.”
Cranberry juice induces nitric oxide-dependent vasodilation in vitro and its infusion transiently reduces blood pressure in anesthetized rats. Maher MA, Matacynski H, Stefaniak HM, Wilson T. J Med Food. 2000 Fall;3(3):141-7. Key Finding: “We determined that cranberry juice has vasorelaxing properties. This study suggests that it has the capacity to exert in vitro and in vivo vasodilatory effects.”
Cranberry juice constituents affect influenza virus adhesion and infectivity. Weiss EI, Houri-Haddad Y, Greenbaum E, Hochman N, Ofek I, Zakay-Rones Z. Antiviral Res. 2005 Apr;66(1):9-12. Key Finding: “Our cumulative findings indicate that the inhibitory effect of high molecular weight materials in cranberry juice on influenza virus adhesion and infectivity may have a therapeutic potential.”
Influence of cranberry juice on the urinary risk factors for calcium oxalate kidney stone formation. McHarg T, Rodgers A, Charlton K. BJC Int. 2003 Nov;92(7):765-8. Key Finding: “Cranberry juice has antilithogenic properties and, as such, deserves consideration as a conservative therapeutic protocol in managing calcium oxalate urolithiasis.”
Cranberry and blueberry: evidence for protective effects against cancer and vascular diseases. Neto CC. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2007 Jun;51(6):652-64. Key Finding: “Growing evidence from tissue culture, animal, and clinical models suggests that the flavonoid-rich fruits of the North American cranberry and blueberry have the potential ability to limit the development and severity of certain cancers and vascular diseases including atherosclerosis, ischemic stroke, and neurodegenerative diseases of aging.”
Potential role of dietary flavonoids in reducing micro vascular endothelium vulnerability to oxidative and inflammatory insults (small star, filled). Youdim KA, McDonald J, Kalt W, Joseph JA. J Nutr Biochem. 2002 May;13(5):282-288. Key Finding: “Polyphenols isolated from both blueberry and cranberry were able to afford protection to endothelial cells against stressor induced up-regulation of oxidative and inflammatory insults. This may have beneficial actions against the initiation and development of vascular diseases and be a contributing factor in the reduction of age-related deficits in neurological impairments previously reported by us.”
Anti-Porphyromonas gingivalis and anti-inflammatory activities of A-type cranberry proanthocyanidin. La VD, Howell AB, Grenier D. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2010 May;54(5):1778-84. Key Finding: “The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of A-type cranberry proanthocyanidin on various determinants of periodontitis, a destructive disease of tooth-supporting tissues. Our results showed that the proanthocyanidin neutralized all the virulence properties of P. Gingivalis in dose-dependent fashion and did not interfere with growth. These may be potentially valuable bioactive molecules for the development of new strategies to treat and prevent P. gingivalis-associated periodontal diseases.”
Cranberry proanthocyanidin inhibit MMP production and activity. La VD, Howell AB, Grenier D. J Dent Res. 2009 Jul;88(7):627-32. Key Finding: “Matrix metalloproteinase (MMPs) produced by resident and inflammatory cells in response to periodontopathogens play a major role in periodontal tissue destruction. Our aim was to investigate the effects of A-type cranberry proanthocyanidin on the production of various MMPs. Our results indicated that A-type cranberry proanthocyanidin inhibited the production of MMPs in a concentration-dependent manner.”
Potential oral health benefits of cranberry. Bodet C, Grenier D, Chandad F, Ofek I, Steinberg D, Weiss EI. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2008 Aug;48(7):672-80. Key Finding: “Cranberry components are potential anti-caries agents since they inhibit acid production, attachment, and biofilm formation by Streptococcus mutants. Glucan-binding proteins, extracellular enzymes, carbohydrate production, and bacterial hydrophobicity, are all affected by cranberry components. Regarding periodontal diseases, the same cranberry fraction inhibits host inflammatory responses, production, and activity of enzymes that cause the destruction of the extracellular matrix, biofilm formation, and adherence of Porphyromonas gingivalis, and proteolytic activities and coaggregation of periodontopathogens. The above-listed effects suggest that cranberry components, especially those with high molecular weight, could serve as bioactive molecules for the prevention and/or treatment of oral diseases.”
Cranberry components inhibit interleukin-6, interleukin-8, and prostaglandin E production by lipopolysaccharide-activated gingival fibroblasts. Bodet C, Chandad F, Grenier D. Eur J Oral Sci. 2007 Feb;115(1):64-70. Key Finding: “This study suggests that cranberry juice contains molecules with interesting properties for the development of new host-modulating therapeutic strategies in the adjunctive treatment of periodontitis.”
Inhibition of periodontopathogen-derived proteolytic enzymes by a high-molecular weight fraction isolated from cranberry. Bodet C, Piche M, Chandad F, Grenier D. J Antimicrob Chemother. 2006 Apr;57(4):685-90. Key Finding: “The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of non-dialyzable material (NDM) prepared from cranberry juice concentrate on the proteolytic activities of P. gingivalis, T. forsythia and T. denticola. These results suggest that NDM has the potential to reduce either the proliferation of P. gingivalis, T. forsythia and T. denticola in periodontal pockets or their proteinase-mediated destructive process occurring in periodontitis.”
Inhibitory effects of cranberry juice on attachment of oral streptococci and biofilm formation. Yamanaka A, Kimizuka R, Kata T, Okuda K. Oral Microbiol Immunol. 2004 Jun;19(3):150-4. Key Finding: “The present findings suggest that cranberry juice components can inhibit colonization by oral streptococci to the tooth surface and can thus slow development of dental plaque.”
Efficacy of cranberry juice on Helicobacter pylori infection: a double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial. Zhang L, Ma J, Pan K, Go VL, Chen J, You WC. Helicobacter. 2005 Apr;10(2):139-45. Key Finding: “Helicobacter pylori infection is a major cause of peptic ulcer disease and gastric cancer. Regular consumption of cranberry juice can suppress H. pylori infection in endemically afflicted populations.”
Inhibition of Helicobacter pylori and associated unrease by oregano and cranberry phytochemical synergies. Lin YT, Kwon YI, Labbe RG, Shetty K. Appl Environ Microbiol. 2005 Dec;71(12):8558-64. Key Finding: “Ulcer-associated dyspepsia is caused by infection with Helicobacter pylori, linked to a majority of peptic ulcers. The results indicated that the antimicrobial activity was greater in extract mixtures than in individual extracts of each species. The results also indicate that the synergistic contribution of oregano and cranberry phenolic may be more important for inhibition than any species-specific phenolic concentration.”
Inhibitory activity of cranberry extract on the bacterial adhesiveness in the urine of women: an ex-vivo study. Tempera G, Corsello S, Genovese C, Et al. Int J Immunpathol Pharmacol. 2010 Apr-Jun;23(2):611-8. Key Finding: “This ex-vivo study showed that the assumption of cranberry extract in suitable amounts can have an anti-adhesive activity on uropathogenic E. coli, which are responsible for approximately 90% of community-acquired, uncomplicated cystitis.”
Cytoprotective effect of proanthocyanidin-rich cranberry fraction against bacterial cell wallmediated toxicity in macrophages and epithelial cells. La VD, Labrecque J, Grenier D. Phytother Res. 2009 Oct;23(10):1449-52. Key Finding: “This study suggests that cranberry polyphenols may exert a protective effect for host cells against the toxicity induced by bacterial components.”
Cranberry juice for the prevention of recurrent urinary tract infections: A randomized controlled trial in children. Ferrara P, Romaniello L, Vitelli O, Gatto A, Serva M, Cataldi L. Scand J Urol Nephrol. 2009 May 9;1-5. (Epub ahead of print). Key Finding: “These data suggest that daily consumption of concentrated cranberry juice can significantly prevent the recurrence of symptomatic urinary tract infections in children.”
Interference of cranberry constituents in cell-cell signaling system of Vibrio harveyi. Feldman M, Weiss EI, Ofek I, Steinberg D. Curr Microbiol. 2009 Oct;59(4):469-74. Key Finding: “using a model of V. harveyi bacteria, we found an inhibitory effect of cranberry constituents on bacterial signaling system.”
Evaluation of cranberry tablets for the prevention of urinary tract infections in spinal cord injured patients with neurogenic bladder. Hess MJ, Hess PE, Sullivan MR, Nee M, Yalla SV. Spinal Cord. 2008 Sep;46(9):622-6. Key Finding: “Cranberry extract tablets should be considered for the prevention of urinary tract infections in spinal cord injured patients with neurogenic bladder. Patients with a high glomerular filtration rate may receive the most benefit.”
Modulation of Helicobacter pylori colonization with cranberry juice and Lactobacillus john-sonii La1 in children. Gotteland M, Andrews M, Toledo M, Munoz L, Caceres P, Anziani A, Wittig E, Speisky H, Salazar G. Nutrition. 2008 May;24(5):421-6. Key Finding: “These results suggest that regular intake of cranberry juice or La1 may be useful in the management of asymptomatic children colonized by H. pylori.”
Daily cranberry juice for the prevention of asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnancy: a randomized, controlled pilot study. Wing DA, Rumney PJ, Preslicka CW, Chung JH. J Urol. 2008 Oct;180(4):1367-72. Key Finding: “These data suggest there may be a protective effect of cranberry ingestion against asymptomatic bacteriuria and symptomatic urinary tract infections in pregnancy. Further studies are planned to evaluate this effect.”
Anti-microbial Activity of Urine after Ingestion of Cranberry: A Pilot Study. Lee YL, Najm WI, Owens J, Thrupp L, Baron S, Shanbrom E, Cesario T. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2008 Jan 16. (Epub ahead of print). Key Finding: “This pilot study demonstrates weak anti-microbial activity in urine specimens after ingestion of a single dose of commercial cranberry. Anti-microbial activity was noted only against K. pneumonia 2-6 h after ingestion of the cranberry preparation.”
Can a concentrated cranberry extract prevent recurrent urinary tract infections in women? A pilot study. Bailey DT, Dalton C, Daughterty F, Tempesta MS. Phytomedicine. 2007 Apr;14(4):237-41. Key Finding: “Women between the ages of 25 and 70 years old were included with a history of a minimum of 6 urinary tract infections in the preceding year. The women took one capsule twice daily for 12 weeks containing 200 mg of a concentrated cranberry extract standardized to 30% phenolics. During the study none of the 12 subjects had a urinary tract infection. Two years later, eight of the women who continue to take cranberry, continue to be free from urinary tract infections.”
Biosafety, antioxidant status, and metabolites in urine after consumption of dried cranberry juice in healthy women: a pilot double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Valentova K, Stejskal D, Bednar P, Vostalova J, Cihalik C, Vecerova R, Koukalova D, Kolar M, Rechenbach R, Sknouril L, Ulrichova J, Simanek V. J Agric Food Chem. 2007 Apr 18;55(8):3217-24. Key Finding: “This study assessed the effect of an 8 week consumption of dried cranberry juice on 65 healthy young women. A 1200 mg amount per day resulted in a statistically significant decrease in serum levels of advanced oxidation protein products. This specific protective effect against oxidative damage of proteins is described here for the first time. Cranberry fruits are effective not only in the prevention of urinary tract infection but also for the prevention of oxidative stress.”
Cranberry products inhibit adherence of p-fimbriated Escherichia coli to primary cultured bladder and vaginal epithelial cells. Gupta K, Chou MY, Howell A, Wobbe C, Grady R, Stapleton AE. Urol. 2007 Jun;177(6):2357-60. Key Finding: “Cranberry products can inhibit E. coli adherence to biologically relevant model systems of primary cultured bladder and vaginal epithelial cells. This effect occurs in a dose dependent relationship. These findings provide further mechanistic evidence and biological plausibility for the role of cranberry products for preventing urinary tract infection.”
Reduction of Escherichia coli adherence to uroepithelial bladder cells after consumption of cranberry juice: a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled cross-over trial. Di Martino P, Agniel R, David K, Templer C, Gaillard JL, Denys P, Botto H. World J Urol. 2006 Feb;24(1):21-7. Key Finding: “We observed a dose-dependent significant decrease in bacterial adherence associated with cranberry consumption. Adherence inhibition was observed independently from the presence of genes encoding type P pili and antibiotic resistance phenotypes. Cranberry juice consumption provides significant anti-adherence activity against different E. coli uropathogenic strains in the urine compared with placebo.”
Use of cranberry in chronic urinary tract infections. Bruyere F. Med Mal Infect (French). 2006 Jul;36(7):358-63. Key Finding: “Cranberries can inhibit E. coli adhesion to the urothelium and could be useful to treat urinary infections. Clinical studies confirm the probably benefit of this fruit as a prophylactic treatment for female cystitis.”
Increased salicylate concentrations in urine of human volunteers after consumption of cranberry juice. Duthie GG, Kyle JA, Jenkinson AM, Duthie SJ, Baxter GJ, Paterson JR. J Agric Food Chem. 2005 Apr 20;53(8):2897-900. Key Finding: “Consumption of cranberry juice was associated with a marked increase of salicyluric and salicylic acids in urine within 1 week of the intervention. After 2 weeks, there was also a small but significant increase in salicylic acid in plasma. The regular consumption of cranberry juice results in the increased absorption of salicylic acid, an anti-inflammatory compound that may benefit health.”
Does ingestion of cranberry juice reduce symptomatic urinary tract infections in older people in hospital? A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. McMurdo ME, Bissett LY, Price RJ, Phillips G, Crombie IK. Age Ageing. 2005 May;34(3):256-61. Key Finding: “Despite having the largest sample size of any clinical trial yet to have examined the effect of cranberry juice ingestion, the actual infection rate observed was lower than anticipated, making the study underpowered. This study has confirmed the acceptability of cranberry juice to older people. Larger trials are now required to determine whether it is effective in reducing urinary tract infections in older hospital patients.”
Effect of cranberry juice consumption on urinary stone risk factors. Gettman MT, Ogan K, Brinkley LJ, Adams-Huet B, Pak CY, Pearle MS. J Urol. 2005 Aug;174(2):590-4. Key Finding: “Cranberry juice exerts a mixed effect on urinary stone forming propensity. It reduces urinary pH likely by providing an acid load and decreases urinary uric acid perhaps by retarding urate synthesis. Overall cranberry juice increases the risk of calcium oxalate and uric acid stone formation but decreases the risk of brushite stones.”
A-type cranberry proanthocyanidin and uropathogenic bacterial anti-adhesion activity. Howell AB, Reed JD, Krueger CG, Winterbottom R, Cunningham DG, Leahy M. Phytochemistry. 2005 Sep;66(18):2281-91. Key Finding: “Anti-adhesion activity in human urine was detected following cranberry juice cocktail consumption, but not after consumption of the non-cranberry food products. Results suggest that presence of the A-type linkage in cranberry proanthocyanidin may enhance both in vitro and urinary bacterial anti-adhesion activities and aid in maintaining urinary tract health.”
Cranberry juice and bacterial colonization in children --- a placebo-controlled randomized trial. Kontiokari T, Salo J, Eerola E, Uhari M. Clin Nutr. 2005 Dec;24(6):1065-72. Key Finding: “Cranberry juice was well accepted by the children, but led to no change in either the bacterial flora in the nasopharynx or the bacterial fatty acid composition of stool. Thus cranberries seem to have beneficial effect on urinary health only and this is not compromised by other unexpected antimicrobial effects.”
Inhibition of uropathogenic Escherichia coli by cranberry juice: a new antiadherence assay. Turner A, Chen SN, Joike MK, Pendland SL, Pauli GF, Fransworth NR. J Agric Food Chem. 2005 Nov 16;53(23):8940-7. Key Finding: “In this assay, a low-polarity fraction of cranberry juice cocktail demonstrated dose-dependent inhibition of E. coli adherence. Reported here, for the first time in V. macrocarpon, are 1-O-methylgalactose, pruning, and phlorizin, identified in an active fraction of cranberry juice concentrate.”
Consumption of sweetened dried cranberries versus unsweetened raisins for inhibition of uropathogenic Escherichia coli adhesion in human urine: a pilot study. Greenberg JA, Newmann SJ, Howell AB. J Altern Complement Med. 2005 Oct;11(5):875-8. Key Finding: “Data from this pilot study on only five subjects suggest that consumption of a single serving of sweetened dried cranberries may elicit bacterial antiadhesion activity in human urine, whereas consumption of a single serving of raisins does not.”
Evaluation of cranberry supplement for reduction of urinary tract infections in individuals with neurogenic bladders secondary to spinal cord injury. A prospective, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover study. Linsenmeyer TA, Harrison B, Oakley A, Kirshblum S, Stock JA, Millis SR. J Spinal Cord Med. 2004;27(1):29-34. Key Finding: “Cranberry tablets were not found to be effective at changing urinary pH or reducing bacterial counts, urinary WBC counts, or UTIs in individuals with neurogenic bladders. Further long-term studies evaluating specific types of bladder management and UTIs will help to determine whether there is any role for the use of cranberries in individuals with neurogenic bladders.”
The role of cranberry and probiotics in intestinal and urogenital tract health. Reid G. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2002;42(3 Suppl):293-300. Key Finding: “There is now strong scientific basis for use of cranberries to reduce the risk of E. coli adhesion to bladder cells and the onset of urinary tract infections.”
Can ingestion of cranberry juice reduce the incidence of urinary tract infections in a department of geriatric medicine? Kirchhoff M, Renneberg J, Damkjaer K, Pietersen I, Schroll M. Ugeskr Laeger (Danish). 2001 May 14;163(20):2782-6. Key Finding: “Cranberry juice in a geriatric department, where the mean stay was 4 weeks, did not influence the incidence of urinary tract infections.”
Randomized trial of cranberry-lingonberry juice and Lactobacillus GG drink for the prevention of urinary tract infections in women. Kontiokari T, Sundqvist K, Nuutinen M, Pokka T, Koskela M, Uhari M. BMJ. 2001 Jun 30;322(7302):1571. Key Finding: “150 women with urinary tract infection caused by Escherichia coli were randomly allocated into three groups. The intervention cranberry group experienced a 20% reduction in absolute risk compared to the control group. Regular drinking of cranberry juice but not lactobacillus seems to reduce the recurrence of urinary tract infection.”
Efficacy of cranberry in prevention of urinary tract infection in a susceptible pediatric population. Foda MM, Middlebrook PF, Gatfield CT, Potvin G, Wells G, Schillinger JF. Can J Urol. 1995 Jan;2(1):98-102. Key Finding: “Forty cases were enrolled in a randomized single-blind cross-over study. Subjects ingested 15 mL/kg/day of cranberry cocktail or water for six months followed by the reverse for another six months. Twenty one patients completed the study. Fewer infections were observed in nine patients taking cranberry juice and in nine patients given water; no difference was noted in three. Liquid cranberry products, on a daily basis, at the dosage employed, did not have any effect greater than that of water in preventing urinary tract infections in this pediatric neuropathic bladder population.”
Reduction of bacteriuria and pyuria after ingestion of cranberry juice. Avorn J, Monane M, Gurwitz JH, Glynn RJ, Choodnovskiy I, Lipsitz LA. JAMA. 1994 Mar 9;271(10):751-4. Key Finding: “These findings suggest that use of a cranberry beverage reduces the frequency of bacteriuria with pyuria in older women. Prevalent beliefs about the effects of cranberry juice on the urinary tract may have microbiologic justification.”
New support for a folk remedy: cranberry juice reduces bacteriuria and pyuria in elderly women. Fleet JC. Nutr Rev. 1994 May;52(5):168-70. Key Finding: “A new study suggests that bacterial infections (bacteriuria) and associated influx of white blood cells into the urine (pyuria) can be reduced by nearly 50% in elderly women who drink 300 ml. of cranberry juice cocktail each day over the course of the 6-month study.”
Cranberry juice and its impact on peri-stomal skin conditions for urostomy patients. Tsukada K, Tokunaga K, Iwama T, Mishima Y, Tazawa K, Fujimaki M. Ostomy Wound Manage. 1994 Nov-Dec;40(9):60-2. Key Finding: “In urostomy patients, peristomal skin problems are common and may stem from alkaline urine. Cranberry juice appears to acidify urine and has bacteriostatic properties. The authors conclude that while drinking cranberry juice did not appear to acidify the urine as expected in 13 urostomy patients, improvements were still seen in the skin conditions of the study participants, suggesting that drinking cranberry juice does positively impact the incidence of skin complications for these patients.”
An examination of the anti-adherence activity of cranberry juice on urinary and nonurinary bacterial isolates. Schmidt DR, Sobota AE. Microbios. 1988;55(224-225): 173-81. Key Finding: “Cranberry juice cocktail and urine and urinary epithelial cells obtained after drinking the cocktail all demonstrate anti-adherence activity against Gram-negative rods isolated from urine and other clinical sources. Drinking the cocktail may be useful in managing urinary tract infections in certain patients.”
Inhibition of bacterial adherence by cranberry juice: potential use for the treatment of urinary tract infections. Sobota AE. J Urol. 1984 May;131(5):1013-6. Key Finding: “Fifteen of 22 subjects showed significant antiadherence activity in the urine 1 to 3 hours after drinking 15 ounces of cranberry cocktail. It is concluded that the reported benefits derived from the use of cranberry juice may be related to its ability to inhibit bacterial adherence.”