Cranberries are commonly manufactured into juice products and to some extent processed for making cranberry sauce ranges. In addition to their pleasant flavor to many people, they can provide a number of health benefits when ingested in the body.
Cranberries contain considerable amount of vitamins, fibers, minerals and essential nutrients with their effective properties.
Antioxidants are chemical molecules which are able to be oxidized in reactions and therefore disabling the oxidation of any other molecules in the body which are liable to be oxidized with consequent production of
free radicals involved in
chain reactions and finally potential danger of damaging cells.
Phytochemicals and
polyphenol antioxidants constitute a significant percentage in cranberries which are able to protect the body against heart disease and cancer in addition to supporting the
immune system.
The major compounds of cranberries including
flavonoids, anthocyanidin, peonidin and
cyanidin have been reported to be protective using their anti-carcinogenic functions.
Studies have shown that cranberry juice consumption is remarkably effective against the bladder (urinary tract) infection mainly due to the presence of considerable proportion of
oligomeric proanthocyanidins minerals using their ‘anti-adhesion’ properties which can facilitate discharging E.coli (
Escherichia coli) bacteria from bladder.
Furthermore, the acid components of cranberry juice are believed to be capable of suppressing most harmful bacteria from attaching to the bladder wall by making the pH of the urine more acidic.
The mineral constituents of cranberries are anti-oxidant offering beneficial functions against inflammation, cancer and microbial loads in the body.
In general, cranberry juice is dramatically practical against the risk of kidney failure and it may even act as a treatment for minor kidney stones by decomposing the existing stones to smaller particles which are likely to be eliminated from the body via the liquid waste excretion.
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The acid ingredients are usually
emulsified with the extra fats in the body in which the two immiscible liquid phases are mixed together (
dispersed phase in
continuous phase). This may highly contribute to preventing obesity and obtaining weight loss and healthy system in the body.
Cranberry juice can significantly help protecting stomach against severe disease of stomach ulcer and stomach cancer; functional components of the juice can degrade certain bacteria including
helicobacter pylori which are able to develop stomach ulcer by destroying the beneficial coating of the stomach (mucous structure) that may lead to a more serious condition i.e. stomach cancer.
Respiratory infection may be dramatically suppressed/reduced by regular consumption of cranberry juice which may discourage
haemophilus influenzae bacteria from being linked to the cells in throat and nose.
Sufficient intake of cranberry juice is also believed to be effective in reducing
cellulite (orange peel) and relatively restoring the skin appearance to its former shape.
Tooth plague formation and gum disease can be extensively discouraged using sugar-free cranberry juice which is said to be inhibitory against microbial harbouring in gums and teeth.
Conversely, sugar-added cranberry products can develop tooth cavity and undesirable dental hygeine.
Cranberries contain substantial amount of calcium that can help maintaining healthy structure of bones and teeth and subsequently reducing the risk of
osteoporoses disease.
However, it should be remembered that cranberry-based products should be used in a reasonable and balanced daily proportion as the excessive consumption may lead to problems like gastrointestinal disorders, diarrhea, etc. [605]
