Cranberry
Superfruits Packed Full of Antioxidants
| Cranberries (Vaccinium species) are a group of creeping dwarf evergreen shrubs often found in acidic bogs throughout the cooler parts of the Northern Hemisphere bearing edible, acidic tasting fruit. |
Cranberry - Vaccinium species - Common Uses
Only about 5% of commercially produced Cranberries are sold as fresh fruit. The remaining 95% are harvested and rapidly processed into cranberry juice extracts, cranberry sauce, and dried cranberries. Dried cranberries are usually sweetened to counteract the sharp acidic flavour.
Antioxidants
Cranberries contain a small amount of vitamin C (about 13mg per 100g of fresh fruit) and nominal levels of other essential nutrients such as manganese.
Polyphenol AntioxidantsThe exciting research into cranberries focuses on the polyphenol and other phytochemical antioxidants. The research is looking for the role cranberries can play in improving the immune system, cardiovascular system and especially for benefits as an anti-cancer agent
Cranberry polyphenolic components are undergoing research into preventing several forms of cancer. Cranberry fruits have one of the the largest concentrations of free penols and total phenols
Tannins within the humble cranberry have also been identified as having anti-clotting properties, reducing urinary tract infections and reducing the dental plaques bacteria.
Evidence For The Benefits of Cranberry
Cranberry juice contains substances that can inhibit and elimante plaque forming bacteria such as Streptococcus mutans and so should be able to help reduce tooth decay.
Cranberry juice also seems to inhibit the formation and growth of kidney stones
Cranberry as an Anti Cancer Agent
Both raw cranberries and cranberry juice contain bioflavinoids:
- anthocyanidin flavonoids
- cyanidin
- peonidin
- quercetin
These powerful compounds have been shown to have target human cancer cells in vitro laboratory experiments however research is still looking to prove their effectiveness in human cancer sufferers.
