Cranberries are not only a good source of dietary fiber and vitamin C, they also possess antioxidant compounds known as oligomeric procyanidins, which are responsible for most of their health effects. Research indicates that consuming cranberry juice can provide numerous benefits that improve overall health.
Blood Vessel Health
Cranberry juice might protect against cardiovascular disease, according to researchers from Queen Mary University of London. They reported in the February 2010 issue of the "Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry" that oligomeric procyanidins improved blood vessel function by reducing the synthesis of vasoconstrictors endothelin-1, or ET-1, which constricts blood vessels and decreases blood flow.
HDL Cholesterol
High density lipoprotein, or HDL, is referred to as good cholesterol, since it removes excess bad LDL cholesterol from the body. Researchers from Laval University discovered that overweight men with elevated cholesterol levels consuming a daily glass of light cranberry juice for 12 weeks experienced increases in HDL cholesterol levels. They reported their findings at the 2004 Canadian Cardiovascular Society's Annual Congress.
Urinary Tract Infections
Urinary tract infections are caused by bacteria, such as E. coli. Researchers from the Worcester Polytechnic Institute discovered that a cranberry juice cocktail prevented E. coli from forming biofilms, which are layers that allow bacteria to grow and multiply. Preventing E. coli from forming biofilms is the first step in stopping urinary tract infections. Researchers presented their findings at the 240th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society in 2010.
Dental Health
In research reported in the January 2006 issue of the journal "Caries Research," scientists from the University of Rochester Medical Center explored the impact of cranberry juice on cavities. They found that cranberry juice is effective for preventing bacteria from forming plaque on tooth surfaces, which increases the risk of developing cavities. Researchers are unsure of the compounds responsible for the results.
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