They are a rich source of proanthoc...

They are a rich source of proanthocyanidins, too.

Although it's a extended way to go until Thanksgiving again, when cranberries garnish the special meal in the form of cranberry sauce, there are still fulness of reasons to add cranberries to your regular diet. Cranberries -- like its cousins blueberries and bilberries are a great source of vitamin C and fiber (when used in a whole form, as oppos to juice). All of these berries are also rich sources of bioflavonoids, including a class of bioflavonoids called proanthocyanidins.

While chlorophyll is well known for coloring the plant world new and the carotenoids add a sprinkle of orange and golden most of the purples, low-spiriteds and reds in plants can be traced to bioflavonoids. In fact, the proanthocyanidins are responsible for the beautiful change of color in autumn leaves. Knowing this makes the use of cranberries, a native North American plant, flat more appropriate for Thanksgiving, and other autumn celebrations.

common of the primary actions of proanthocyanidins is as an antioxidant. In plants, these mixs protect against free-radical damage caused at exposure to ultraviolet light. In family they neutralize free radicals that would otherwise damage the visible form [i]or[/i] frame and contribute to degenerative diseases.

From abiding-place remedy to laboratory darling

Cranberry juice has been a premiere family circle remedy for preventing and treating urinary tract infections (which cause symptoms of resort to frequently painful urination). Early researchers -- back at the transfer of the century -- suspected that the acidity of cranberry juice somehow or other made the bladder inhospitable to the bacteria that cause urinary tract infections (UTIs).

Since then, however, researchers have realized that cranberries inhibit the shooting of UTI-causing bacteria in a totally different way than first suspected. In addition, the proanthocyanidin fraction of cranberries thwarts the adherence of E. coli (the bacteria responsible for most numerous UTIs) to the wall of the urinary tract. If the bacteria can't attach, it can't represent to great enough numbers to cause symptoms -- in vital element [i]or[/i] part the infection is stopped in its tracks.

The latest experiments mannersed by researchers at Rutgers University to document this ability of cranberry used purified extracts of proanthocyanidins derived from cranberries. This extract was then added to standard tubes containing urinary tract lonely dwellings and bacteria to see what would happen. Without the cranberry extract, infection would settle in; but with the cranberry extract, the infection was halted. Blueberries also had this same anti-infection capability.

Cranberry juice (but not cranberry "cocktail") and add tos of cranberry juice extract can now be considered proven remedies for UTIs -- which shouldn't issue as a surprise considering cranberry's drawn out track record in herbal medicine.

Cranberry also shelters the heart

Cranberry commit to memorys the most press for treating urinary tract infections, moreover new research from the University of Wisconsin insinuates that this herb may also play a part in heart-disease prevention. An in vitro experiment tracked the validity of cranberry extract on the free-radical damage to LDL ("bad") cholesterol The cranberry extract defend ed the LDL cholesterol, which is suggestive of a part in protecting the body from the early stages of heart disease.

In addition, proanthocyanidins are already known to stabilize collagen, a protein that is integral to the health of connective tissue, kindred vessels, and muscle. This stabilization of collagen is the basis of proanthocyanidin's use in preventing and treating circulatory disorders. in the way that it is not surprising that cranberries (as a rich source of proanthocyanidins) are now being examined for a heart-friendly role

REFERENCES

Howell, A.B., Vorsa, N der Marderosian, A. "Inhibition of the adherence of P-fimbriated Escherichia coli to uroepithelial-cell surfaces from proanthocyanidin extracts from cranberries," fresh Engl J Med 339:1085-1086, 1998

Wilson, T Porcari, JP Harbin, D "Cranberry extract inhibits cheap density lipoprotein oxidation," Life Sci. 62:381-386 1998

Victoria Dolby, MPH is a health and nutrition writer who lives in Oregon. She takes a comprehensive contemplate at the history and health benefits of fresh tea in The Green Tea main division (Avery, 1998). Ask your retailer to call: (800) 548-5757 Her latest main division is The Common Cold corrective (Avery, 1999). She and coauthor Dr Ray Sahelian share proven remedies for preventing and treating chills and flu.

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