New Research Finds That Cranberries Can Help Battle Bacterial Infections

Cranberries are poised to become a star member of the ‘super-food’ group. A new study has found that cranberry extracts can help ward off bacterial infections and possibly minimise a dependence on antibiotics.

The Effects Of Cranberry Extracts

Scientists from McGill University and INRS-Institut Armand-Frappier fed a test group of fruit flies cranberry extract and exposed them to a bacterial infection. They found that the flies who had consumed cranberries lived longer than their control group counterparts, who had not been fed cranberry extract.

“Cranberry PACs interrupt the ability for bacteria to communicate with each other, spread and become virulent — a process known as quorum sensing,” said Eric Deziel of the INRS-Institut Armand-Frappier.

In other words, certain components of the cranberry disrupt the bacteria’s ability to spread. The researchers believe that the findings can be used to treat infections.

The Befits Of Eating Cranberries

Many people have already been consuming cranberry juice as a home remedy for urinary tract infections; the proanthocyanidins (PACs) in cranberries clear bacteria off the urinary tract walls.

Additionally, consuming cranberries may lead to better dental hygiene, as the PACs remove bacteria bound to the teeth.

Some evidence suggests that the polyphenols in cranberries can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease while other components of them can slow down tumour progression.

Considering Thanksgiving, which often involves having a cranberry sauce or cranberry stuffing, is just around the corner, there’s no better time to test the benefits of eating cranberries yourself!