Cranberries are often sold partially dehydrated and sometimes powdered. Dried cranberries contain potent chemicals, some of which have been found in the scientific literature to promote health. However, consult your doctor before trying to prevent, treat or cure any condition with dried cranberry.
Type 2 Diabetes
Dried cranberry powder may help people with diabetes. A study published in April 2009 in "The FASEB Journal" showed that it improved glucose and insulin levels in people with type 2 diabetes. This is significant, because people with type 2 diabetes who avoid fruits because of their sugar content naturally tend to eat too little fruit. However, dried cranberry may be a good alternative to regular whole fruits, because it does not aggravate diabetic symptoms but actually improves them.
Urinary Tract Infections
Dried cranberry may help prevent urinary tract infections. Proanthocyanidins, compounds found in cranberry, inhibited bacteria that cause urinary tract infections. Specifically, both antibiotic-resistant and nonantibiotic-resistant strains of the uropathogenic P-fimbriated Escherichia coli bacteria were unable to adhere to walls within the urinary tract in the presence of proanthocyanidins, according to a study published in the June 2007 issue of "Molecular Nutrition and Food Research."
Weight Gain
There is evidence that taking dried cranberry may help prevent obesity. Another study published in April 2009 in "The FASEB Journal" found that mice given dried cranberry gained less weight than mice that did not receive supplements of dried cranberry. The researchers concluded that cranberry powder may help reduce obesity by improving the ratio of the number of calories burned to the number of calories stored.
Cardiovascular Disease
Supplementation with dried cranberry powder may help keep the heart healthy. There is a substantial amount of scientific evidence suggesting that dried cranberry lowers the risk for factors that deteriorate heart health, according to an article published in November 2007 in "Nutrition Reviews." For instance, it has been found to lower blood pressure and inhibit platelet aggregation.
References
- "The FASEB Journal"; Glycemic Response of Type 2 Diabetics to Sweetened Dried Cranberries; Ted Wilson et al.; April 2009
- "Molecular Nutrition and Food Research"; Bioactive Compounds in Cranberries and Their Role in Prevention of Urinary Tract Infections; Amy B. Howell; June 2007
- "The FASEB Journal"; Consumption of Cranberry Reduces Weight Gain in Mice Fed High Fat Diets; Ian Alexander et al.; April 2009
- "Nutrition Reviews"; Cranberries (Vaccinium macrocarpon) and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors; D.L. McKay & J.B. Blumberg; November 2007
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