East Wareham, MA – During Thanksgiving week, Americans will eat some 80 million pounds of cranberries, mainly because they are the perfect accompaniment to turkey and dressing. But recent research suggests that at there are plenty of other reasons to decorate your plate with these rich, red native American berries.

“Researchers from around the world are really bringing to light the many health benefits associated with cranberries. Thanksgiving is the perfect time to start thinking about making cranberries a regular part of the diet,” said Martin Starr, PhD, Science Advisor to the Cranberry Institute. A review of the scientific literature shows that this tiny berry is packed with disease-fighting nutrients, and Dr. Starr offers five good reasons to have a daily helping or two of cranberries.

#1 – Cranberries prevent harmful bacteria from wreaking havoc on the body.
Cranberries have long been known for their ability to help prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs) but until recently, the key mechanism was thought to be the acidity in the juice. Rutgers University researcher Amy Howell, PhD, published a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association showing that specific cranberry compounds actually prevent certain infection-causing E. coli bacteria from sticking to urinary tract walls. Discovery of this bacteria-blocking mechanism is opening the door for cranberry research elsewhere in the body as well, including stomach ulcers and even gum disease. And most recently, results from a preliminary study presented at the annual meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society of America suggest that cranberry juice may inhibit a type of bacteria that’s a common cause of ear and respiratory infections in children.

#2 – Cranberries are powerful.
While the traditional treatment for UTIs is antibiotics, bacteria are becoming increasingly resistant to them. New research shows that the cranberry is equally effective in preventing the adhesion of these antibiotic resistant bacteria as it is against the normal bacteria. When used as a preventive measure, cranberries help reduce dependence on antibiotics, and slow the pace of global antibiotic resistance.

#3 – Cranberries deliver a hearty dose of antioxidants.
Antioxidants in fruits and vegetables help prevent harmful diseases such as heart disease and cancer. In a study recently published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, Cornell researcher Rui Hai Liu, MD, PhD, reported that cranberries ranked highest in total antioxidant activity compared to 10 other commonly-eaten fruits. The total antioxidant activity in cranberry was nearly double that of the next richest source, which was apple followed by red grape, strawberry, peach, lemon, pear, banana, orange, grapefruit and pineapple. Two other studies published over the last year have shown similar results. (Vinson and Zuo).

#4 - Cranberries combat oxidative stress.
A lifetime of oxidative stress is thought to contribute to the formation of numerous chronic diseases including heart disease, cancer and age-related neurodegenerative diseases. In a study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, Joseph Vinson, PhD, confirmed that cranberries are among the top fruit sources of antioxidants which help prevent or slow oxidative stress caused by dangerous free radicals.

#5 – Cranberries and cancer prevention.
All fruits and vegetables, and especially berries, contain classes of compounds shown to help prevent various cancers, and cranberries are no exception. Dr. Catherine Neto of the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, recently published a laboratory study in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry showing that certain cranberry extracts inhibited the growth of a variety of tumor cells, supporting earlier studies conducted elsewhere. While the effects in humans have not yet been established, this work will form the basis for future research.

Those are just a few of the compelling reasons to make extra room for the cranberry sauce this Thanksgiving. “We all think about cranberries during the holidays, but for our health, we should include cranberry-based foods and beverages in our diet year round,” said Dr. Starr. You can reap the benefits of cranberries from a multitude of products including sauces, juices, dried fruit mixes, baked goods and cereals.

The Cranberry Institute, a non-profit organization founded in 1951 to promote education and research, funds exploration into health and medical benefits of cranberries as well as topics related to environmental stewardship. For additional information, visit the Cranberry Institute’s Web site at www.cranberryinstitute.org.

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