CRANBERRY
SIDE EFFECTS AND BENEFITS
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]
CRANBERRY REFERENCES
1. Sobota AE. Inhibition of bacterial adherence by cranberry juice: Potential use for the treatment
of urinary tract infections. J Urol 1984;131:1013–6. 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;33:92–8. 3. Howell AB, Vorsa N, Der
Maderosian A. Inhibition of the adherence of P-fimbriated Escherichia coli to uroepithelial—all
surfaces by proanthocyanidin extracts from cranberries. New Engl J Med 1998;339:1005–6. 4.
Avorn J, Monane M, Gurwitz JH, et al. Reduction of bacteriuria and pyruria after ingestion of
cranberry juice. JAMA 1994;271:751–4. 5. Walker EB, Barney DP, Mickelsen JN, et al. Cranberry
concentrate: UTI prophylaxis. J Family Pract 1997;45:167–8 [letter]. 6. Brown DJ. Herbal
Prescriptions for Better Health. Rocklin, CA: Prima Publishing, 1996, 57–61. 7. Terris MK, Issa
MM, Tacker JR. Dietary supplementation with cranberry concentrate tablets may increase the risk of
nephrolithiasis. Urology 2001;57:26–9. 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
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]
CRANBERRY REFERENCES
1. Sobota AE. Inhibition of bacterial adherence by cranberry juice: Potential use for the treatment
of urinary tract infections. J Urol 1984;131:1013–6. 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;33:92–8. 3. Howell AB, Vorsa N, Der
Maderosian A. Inhibition of the adherence of P-fimbriated Escherichia coli to uroepithelial—all
surfaces by proanthocyanidin extracts from cranberries. New Engl J Med 1998;339:1005–6. 4.
Avorn J, Monane M, Gurwitz JH, et al. Reduction of bacteriuria and pyruria after ingestion of
cranberry juice. JAMA 1994;271:751–4. 5. Walker EB, Barney DP, Mickelsen JN, et al. Cranberry
concentrate: UTI prophylaxis. J Family Pract 1997;45:167–8 [letter]. 6. Brown DJ. Herbal
Prescriptions for Better Health. Rocklin, CA: Prima Publishing, 1996, 57–61. 7. Terris MK, Issa
MM, Tacker JR. Dietary supplementation with cranberry concentrate tablets may increase the risk of
nephrolithiasis. Urology 2001;57:26–9. 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 |
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Discuss with your doctor before taking any alternative medicine. This article is for
reference only, it is not a medical advice. All rights reserved. Do not copy this article to
other website or blog.
reference only, it is not a medical advice. All rights reserved. Do not copy this article to
other website or blog.
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