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Fight Free Radicals with Cranberry |
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Fight Free Radicals with Cranberry
by Nikos Linardakis, M.D. and Carli Dixon, M.S.
Looking for a way to stop the damage caused
by “free radicals?” Consider the cranberry.
Researchers at Dartmouth, Cornell and the
University of Scranton have all demonstrated
that cranberry has the HIGHEST antioxidant
activity within a series of fruits. According to
researcher Dr. Joe Vinson of the University of
Scranton, cranberry phytochemicals are freeradical
scavengers that are up to five times
more potent than vitamin E and three times
more powerful then vitamin C. Phenomenal!
Cranberry Antioxidant Activity
Antioxidants act as a defense system, a local
police force that can neutralize free radicals
and render them harmless. Nutritionists agree
that a balanced consumption of dietary
antioxidants reduces risk of degenerative disease.
The cranberries are a natural option to
neutralize oxidation. Beneficial phytochemicals
of cranberry may also function as the few
antioxidants able to cross the blood-brain barrier
to combat superoxide radicals in the
brain. Researchers hope the cranberry may
one day be used to combat degenerative diseases
such as Alzheimer’s.
Cranberry is a rich source of antioxidant
flavonoids and other phenols—which
researchers have shown may reduce the risk of
heart disease, stroke and certain cancers. In
fact, researchers at Cornell University reported
in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
that cranberries had the highest phenolic content
and antioxidant activity of 11 fruits
(almost three times the value of red grapes).
Clinical studies show that cranberries and
their derivatives contain antifungal, antiviral
and antioxidant compounds useful for preventing
gum disease, battling cancer-causing
carcinogens, reducing risk of gastric ulcers,
avoiding and confronting UTIs (urinary tract
infections) and contributing to a healthy cardiovascular
system. All of that from a healthy
little red berry!
All Cranberry Forms Deliver Antioxidants
Cranberries can be consumed as juice, sweetened/
dried cranberries, sauce, nutritional supplements
(powder) and other forms. Soon you
will find cranberry seed oil on store shelves in
the natural supplement form—which is high
in essential fatty acids, antioxidants and
vitamin E (tocopherols). This oil also offers
protection for skin cells due to moisture
retention and antioxidant properties. The
cranberry oil can be found in moisturizers
and cosmetics.
Proanthocyanidins to the Rescue
The protective effects of cranberry juice
were once attributed to cranberry’s acidity.
Now it seems that the American cranberry
contains flavonoids called “condensed tannins”
or “proanthocyanidins” (PACs) that
exhibit microbial anti-adhesion properties.
The cranberries, and their famous proanthocyanidins,
have a non-stick effect. These
PACs prevent certain strains of the bacteria
from clinging to epithelial cells (surface cells
that line your gums, stomach, urinary tract
and respiratory system) and stop the bacteria
from proliferating. PACs turn epithelial cells
into a slippery slope with no place to park.
This same anti-adhesion activity also appears
to be helpful in preventing stomach ulcers
caused by bacteria.
The Little Red Healthy Berry
In the end, it’s back to nature for the solutions
to many of life’s health issues and treatment
for chronic, degenerative disease. The
cranberry-related products will see phenomenal
growth in the next few years as the little
red berry adds to the arsenal of healthy
nutrients.
Whether you grab a handful, drink a
glass of juice, or pop a pill, cranberry is
nature’s jewel and a natural remedy with
proven benefits.
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