CRANBERRY SIDE EFFECTS AND BENEFITS

CRANBERRY
SIDE EFFECTS AND BENEFITS

Cranberry [Vaccinium macrocarpon] is found in North America. Its common
names are cranberry, American cranberry bog cranberry. Cranberries are the fruit
of a native plant of North America. These red berries are used in many food
products, beverages and in herbal products in form of extracts, teas, and
capsules or tablets. [NCCAM]

Cranberry may benefits various kidney conditions. Cranberry has been used to
remove toxins from blood and prevent kidney stones* and urinary tract infections.
[*please, read the section of cranberry side effects]

ACTIVE INGREDIENT IN CRANBERRY
Cranberry contains proanthocyanidins.

WHAT ARE THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF CRANBERRY BENEFITS?

ATHEROSCLEROSIS Atherosclerosis is the deposition of plaques containing
cholesterol and lipids in arterial walls. Atherosclerosis always lead to heart
attacks and stroke. Consumption of food and beverages containing flavonoids
may decrease the risk of atherosclerosis. Some experiments have demonstrated
that flavonoids are antioxidants and inhibit LDL oxidation, platelet aggregation.
Cranberries contain both hydroxycinnamic acids and flavonoids, researchers
thought that cranberries may be able to decrease the risk of atherosclerosis. [12]

URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS Around 60% of women experience at least one
urinary tract infection (UTI) during their lifetime, of whom up to 20% will
experience recurrence. [10] Some studies testing cranberry products for their
benefit on prevention of urinary tract infections have shown promise. [NCCAM] In
vitro studies have shown that cranberry [proanthocyanidins] prevented E. coli,
the most common bacterial cause of urinary tract infections, from adhering to the
cells lining the wall of the bladder. This anti-adherence action may reduce the
ability of the bacteria to cause a urinary tract infection. [1-3]

A few trials have also shown that cranberry reduced bacteria levels in the urinary
bladders in older women. [4.5] Cranberry has been shown to reduce of older
women significantly better than placebo, an action that may help to prevent UTIs.
However, these studies have generally been small in size, and some were not
randomized or controlled. [NCCAM]

DOSAGE
Most products suggest taking cranberry juice extracts (400 mg) twice a day. [5]
But, you should follow doctor's instruction.

WHAT ARE THE CRANBERRY SIDE EFFECTS? IS IT SAFE?
Eating cranberry products in food amounts appears to be safe. Under normal
conditions, cranberry extracts are also safe and well-tolerated that does not
have significant drug interactions. [11]

However,cranberry side effect can be serious, if it happens. It is known that
cranberry juice has a moderately high concentration of oxalate, a key ingredient
for kidney stones. Patients suffered from nephrolithiasis should consult doctors
before taking cranberry supplements. [6]

Also, Cranberry juice does provide calories and sugar; in excess amounts it may
lead to weight gain or tooth decay.
Drinking too much cranberry juice may also produce stomach and intestinal
disturbance such as diarrhea. [7]

THIS ARTICLE IS FOR YOUR REFERENCE ONLY. YOU SHOULD CONSULT
WITH YOUR DOCTOR FOR ANY QUESTIONS.

ALL RIGHT RESERVED 2008 zhion.

CRANBERRY REFERENCES
1. Sobota AE. Inhibition of bacterial adherence by cranberry juice: Potential use for the
treatment of urinary tract infections. J Urol 1984;131:1013Â–6. 2. Zafriri D, Ofek I, Adar R,
et al. Inhibitory activity of cranberry juice on adherence of type 1 and type P fimbriated
Escherichia coli to eucaryotic cells. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 1989;33:92Â–8. 3. Howell
AB, Vorsa N, Der Maderosian A. Inhibition of the adherence of P-fimbriated Escherichia coli to
uroepithelialÂ—all surfaces by proanthocyanidin extracts from cranberries. New Engl J Med
1998;339:1005Â–6. 4. Avorn J, Monane M, Gurwitz JH, et al. Reduction of bacteriuria and
pyruria after ingestion of cranberry juice. JAMA 1994;271:751Â–4. 5. Walker EB, Barney DP,
Mickelsen JN, et al. Cranberry concentrate: UTI prophylaxis. J Family Pract 1997;45:167Â–8
[letter]. 6. Brown DJ. Herbal Prescriptions for Better Health. Rocklin, CA: Prima Publishing,
1996, 57Â–61. 7. Terris MK, Issa MM, Tacker JR. Dietary supplementation with cranberry
concentrate tablets may increase the risk of nephrolithiasis. Urology 2001;57:26Â–9. 9.
Cranberry Natural Remedy, RealAge.com August 16, 2005. 10. Cranberry and urinary tract
infection. Drug Ther Bull. 2005 Mar;43(3):17-9. 11. Cranberry for prevention of urinary tract
infections. Am Fam Physician. 2004 Dec 1;70(11):2175-7. 12. Reed J. Cranberry flavonoids,
atherosclerosis and cardiovascular health. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2002;42(3 Suppl):301-16
Cranberry [NCCAM] National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine Online
Publication December 2005

Berries are bombs of
antioxidants and vitamins.

photo by Scott Bauer USDA

THIS ARTICLE IS FOR YOUR REFERENCE ONLY. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTION,
YOU SHOULD CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR. ALL RIGHT RESERVED 2008 zhion.
DO NOT COPY NOR TRANSFER THE CONTENT TO OTHER WEBSITES NOR OTHER
TYPES OF PUBLICATIONS.