Cranberries

Cancer

Cranberies are getting more and more attention as cancer fighters. In a 2001 study to determine what chemicals in cranberries inhibited the growth of cancer cells, Peter J. Ferguson and associates determined that the phytonutrients in Cranberries killed cancer cells in prostate, breast, skin, colon, lung, and brain cancers. They were effective at very low doses for some types of prostate and breast cancers. Other studies have found them to be effective against oral and ovarian cancers. In fact, some researchers are saying Cranberries are the

best cancer-fighting fruit known.

Because of the blood-brain barrier, brain tumors are very hard to fight, and usually mean death. Cranberries have special phytonutrients that cross this barrier, and fight brain cancer and dementia.

As you might have guessed if you do much reading about nutrition and especially cancer prevention and cure, they can’t quite pin down why cranberries are so good at fighting cancer. Early evidence suggested it was the phytonutrient “anthocyanins” content of cranberries. These are the nutrients that give the berries their red color. However, when they isolate these nutrients and test them, they only provide a small portion of the cancer-killing power of all of the polyphenols combined. This is just more evidence that the nutrients in our foods work together to keep us healthy, and that modern methods of processing rob foods of those nutrients, and us of our health.

In a study at the David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, researchers separated cranberry extract into fractions enriched in sugars, total polyphenols, organic acids, proanthocyanidins, and anthocyanins. They tested the fractions against a total cranberry extract to determine how effective each of the fractions and the total extract were at inhibiting selected oral, colon, and prostate cancer cells.

All of the fractions except the cranberry sugar fraction inhibited cancer cell growth by at least 50 percent. However, the total polyphenols were the strongest against all of the cancer types. Total polyphenols include proanthocyanidins, organic acids, and anthocyanins (and possibly many more). The researchers determined that the polyphenols working together created a synergistic effect that made them more potent cancer fighters. In fact, against all but two of the nine cancer cell types tested, the total polyphenols showed antiproliferative activity of more than ninety percent. Against one of the prostate cancer types tested, the total polyphenols showed antiproliferative activity of 99.6 percent. (1)

Cardiovascular Benefits

Cranberries fight heart disease in three ways:

Their antioxidents destroy free radicals inside the blood vessels.
They promote healthier, more flexible arteries and vessels.
They prevent chronic inflammation.

Cranberries contain a wide array of antioxidants, including resveratrol, the antioxidant that made grapes and blueberries famous. Resveratrol and the other antioxidants in cranberries reduce constriction of the arteries. (3)

Chronic inflamation anywhere in the body has been shown to cause hardening of the arteries. That’s why older people, who often have muscle and joint aches and pains, are more at risk for heart disease. In the past, this has just been considered part of getting older. However, new, ongoing research is identifying the chemicals and bodily processes involved. Cranberries block the enzymes that cause inflamation, short-circuiting the cycle that causes inflamation and reducing the risk of heart disease.

Because cranberries reduce inflamation and fight oxidation inside the blood vessels, they also help us prevent the plaque buildup that clogs arteries. Healthy blood vessels and arteries also help balance our cholesterol levels. (2)

Anti-bacterial Properties of Cranberries

Cranberries cure urinary tract infections. Old-school technology claimed cranberrries anti-bacterial benefits were due to the fruit’s acidity level. However, recent research has shown that certain nutrients in the cranberries don’t allow bacteria to attach to the walls of the kidney and bladder. The research tends to show that this only works in women, but I’m a man, and it works in me. Cranberries are my kidney infection cure of choice.

Just as it prevents bad bacteria from sticking to the sides of our kidneys and bladder, is also stops Helicobacter pylori from attaching to our stomach wall. Helicobacter pylori is a bacteria that is associated with gastritis and stomach ulcers. Recent research has shown that cranberry helps optimize the balance of good bacteria in our digestive tract. (4)

Periodontal Benefits

Cranberries fight inflamation in our mouth and gums. Again, it’s the phytonutrients in Cranberries that lower our risk of inflammation, and research has shown that all of the phytonutrients present in Cranberries work together to do this. It’s also very important that Cranberries reduce inflamation in the mouth and gums. Periodontal disease has been shown to increase the risk of heart disease and inflamation of the gums damages the tissues that support our teeth, often causing tooth loss. (5)

Unfortunately, these little red globs of nutrients are sour. Research has shown that cranberries lose most of their disease and cancer-fighting power during processing, and most cranberry juices are coctail juices with only about 25 to 33 percent cranberry juice and a whole bunch of high fructose corn syrup, which also reduces the power of the cranberries. Even organic, one-hundred percent cranberry juice only has about fifty percent of the phytonutrients whole cranberries contain.

There is only one solution: The blender. Cranberries are fantastic blended, maybe with a Red Delicious apple. Dr. Greger, at Nutritionfacts.org suggests you blend cranberries with a few peppermint leaves, a powerful fruit/greens combination that tastes delicious!

Possible side effects: Some studies indicate cranberries eaten on a regular basis contribute to kidney and gallbladder stones. Other, similar studies have not confirmed this. However, If you have had kidney and/or gallbladder stones in the past, you may want to limit your intake of cranberries.

References

(1) Navindra P. Seeram , Lynn S. Adams , Mary L. Hardy , and David Heber Total Cranberry Extract versus Its Phytochemical Constituents:? Antiproliferative and Synergistic Effects against Human Tumor Cell Lines. Center for Human Nutrition, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095. J. Agric. Food Chem., 2004, 52 (9), pp 2512–2517 DOI: 10.1021/jf0352778 Publication Date (Web): April 7, 2004, Copyright © 2004 American Chemical Society. (2) Ruel G, Pomerleau S, Couture P, Lemieux S, Lamarche B, Couillard C. Favourable impact of low-calorie cranberry juice consumption on plasma HDL-cholesterol concentrations in men. PubMed, Br J Nutr. 2006 Aug;96(2):357-64. (3) Dohadwala MM1, Holbrook M, Hamburg NM, Shenouda SM, Chung WB, Titas M, Kluge MA, Wang N, Palmisano J, Milbury PE, Blumberg JB, Vita JA. Effects of cranberry juice consumption on vascular function in patients with coronary artery disease. Evans Department of Medicine and the Whitaker Cardiovascular Institute, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2011 May;93(5):934-40. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.110.004242. Epub 2011 Mar 16. (4)Burger O, Weiss E, Sharon N, et al. Inhibition of Helicobacter pylori adhesion to human gastric mucus by a high-molecular-weight constituent of cranberry juice. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2002;42(3 Suppl):279-84. 2002. 2002. (5) Bonifait L1, Grenier D. Cranberry polyphenols: potential benefits for dental caries and periodontal disease. PubMed, J Can Dent Assoc. 2010;76:a130.