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
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 |
 |  |  |  |  |
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.
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |