Details on Cranberry Benefits

A news release of Worcester Polytechnic Institute entitled 'Compounds in Cranberry Juice Show Promise as Alternatives to Antibiotics for Treating a Host of Human Illnesses' revealed some interesting findings about cranberry juice compounds and E. coli bacteria. The gist of it is that compounds found in cranberries may inhibit infection capabilities of E.coli and thereby have antibiotic effects.

The capacity of cranberries to prevent urinary tract infections has been well known but the details of how this is accomplished were unknown. The cause of such infections is related to the bacterial capacity to adhere to the lining of the urinary tract. The inhibiting property of cranberry compounds lies in their capacity to prevent this.

Biochemicals known as proanthocyanidins, which are found in cranberries, were found to affect E. coli in three ways. The shape of the bacteria was changed from rods to spheres. Cellular membranes were altered and the capacity of the bacteria to contact and adhere to cells was impaired.

The effectiveness of cranberries or their juices varies according to their concentration. Higher concentration of cranberries, or the juices from them, correlates to greater medicinal value.