CRANBERRY

Introduction

Cranberries have come to light recently in the health food world with the launch of several brands such as ‘Ocean Spray’. It is clear that certain people see cranberry as a potential alternative to other ‘traditional’ health food drinks, such as orange juice, and it certainly is. However, cranberry juice is fairly specific in the areas of the body that is strengthens – most notably the urinary tract, the bladder and the kidneys.

Cranberries have been part of medicinal folklore in the North East United States (where cranberries are grown) for over 100 years. The folklore, however, is now being turned into medicine as research is carried out into how cranberries affect certain elements of infection in the kidneys, bladder and urinary tract. This is largely thanks to Dr. Anthony Sobota of the Kingstown State University, Ohio, who conducted tests in the mid 1980s.

Medicinal Value

Dr. Sobota noted in his tests that cranberries considerably reduced the levels of symptoms and rates of occurrence of cases of persistent urinary tract infection. The tests at first did not show why and the theory was put forward that, due to their high quinic acid content, cranberries created highly acidic urine, notably in the form of hippuric acid. It was thought that because the urine was acidic it killed off the bacteria in the urinary tract, which stopped infection developing. However, Dr. Sobota was not satisfied that this was the answer and began further tests. To understand his discoveries, one must first understand how bacteria work. In force in the urinary tract, bacteria line the walls waiting for healthy cells. When they find them they lock onto them with rods that extend out like hooks. Like a key in a lock these hooks fit perfectly into hollow tubes that extend from the cells, and thus they cause infections.

Dr. Sobota placed a dish of healthy cells and a dish of stained red bacteria together beneath a microscope. What he discovered was that when the extract from the cranberry was added, it coated the healthy cells with a Teflon-like substance. This coat filled the hollow tubes extending from the cell, which prevented the bacterial hooks fitting into the tubes and gripping the healthy cells, thereby preventing infections from taking hold.

Because there are so many different types of bacteria that infect the urinary tract, cranberry is not always effective against infections. When Dr. Sobota tested several hundred different strains of E. Coli (the most common cause of urinary tract infections) he found cranberry was only effective against 60% of them. The only way to find out is to try cranberry juice and see whether the symptoms persist.

As well as maintaining good health in the urinary tract and bladder, the cranberry is also able to dissolve kidney stones. It is believed this may again be due to the increased acidity in the urine that dissolves build-ups of calcium oxalate that lead to kidney stones.

Cranberry has also been suggested for relieving pungent-smelling urine. Research conducted by Dr. der Marderosion of the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science suggests that by clearing the urinary tract of E. coli bacteria, cranberries reduce the production of ammonia that causes the pungent smell.

Advice

Numerous tests have been performed to try to establish how much cranberry should be consumed on a daily basis. There is normally no harm in consuming 15-16oz daily, but many tests have shown that just half a cup to a cup a day of cranberry juice is sufficient to maintain health in the kidney, bladder and urinary tract. The cranberry juice available in most supermarkets is perfectly suitable.