New Studies Explore Cranberry's Impact on Yeast Infections

[Guest guest]

Cranberry's Anti-Adhesion and Anti-Inflammatory Effects Explored at

Research Summit

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New Studies Explore Cranberry's Impact on Yeast Infections and

Cardiovascular

Disease

NEW YORK, Oct. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading researchers gathered

this week at

the 2005 Cranberry Health Research Summit held at the New York

Academy of

Sciences to review the state of the science behind cranberry health

and

discuss future directions for cranberry research. October marks

Cranberry

Month as designated by the United States Department of Agriculture

(USDA).

Two new studies funded this year by the National Institutes of

Health (NIH)

will investigate the cranberry's power to prevent yeast infections

and to

promote cardiovascular health. These two studies expand a cranberry

health

research initiative that NIH developed four years ago primarily to

research

cranberries for the prevention of urinary tract infections and gum

disease.

The NIH began this multi-million dollar initiative as a result of

promising

clinical and laboratory research on the health benefits of the

cranberry. The

Cranberry Health Research Summit is a joint project of the Cranberry

Institute, in partnership with Ocean Spray Cranberries.

New research has suggested that cranberries may have an anti-

adhesion

effect on certain harmful bacteria in the mouth and stomach that

cause gum

disease and stomach ulcers. The unique structure of compounds found

in

cranberries called proanthocyanidins, or PACs, are responsible for

this anti-

adhesion benefit. Furthermore, laboratory research suggests

cranberries may

also work against gastrointestinal viruses by preventing them from

attaching

to red blood cells or infecting host cells. Future research will

investigate

cranberry's potential to decrease cardiovascular inflammation and

clogged

arteries that can lead to heart attacks and stroke.

The NIH is also funding the first systematic study evaluating the

potential benefits of cranberry for use in preventing fungal

infections such

as yeast infections. Nearly 75 percent of all adult women have had

at least

one yeast infection in their lifetime. Occasionally, men may also

experience

yeast infections. The latest cranberry research in this area may

have an

impact on this large portion of the population that suffers from this

uncomfortable condition.

The NIH cranberry health research initiative is being led by The

National

Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) with

additional

support from the Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS), the National

Institute

of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) and the National

Institute

of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR).

" Research shows that this fruit may help to maintain health in a

variety

of ways, " said Starr, Ph.D, science advisor at the Cranberry

Institute.

" As we look to the future, we are encouraged about the possibility

that these

new studies will provide information that can potentially reduce the

risk of

serious conditions such as heart disease and infections. "

Cranberries have long been associated with helping prevent

urinary tract

infections (UTIs). UTIs are among the most common bacterial

infections and the

E. coli bacteria that cause them are now becoming increasingly

resistant to

commonly-prescribed antibiotics. Research suggests that drinking

cranberry

juice cocktail regularly may reduce the need for antibiotics by

reducing the

risk of the initial infection.

" Only recently have we begun to understand how cranberries work

to prevent

conditions such as urinary tract infections, stomach ulcers, and

gingivitis, "

said Starr. " The Cranberry Health Research Summit and continued

investment in

new research are important steps toward finding alternatives to

fighting

antibiotic resistant bacteria and other conditions that continue to

affect the

public health. "

To incorporate more cranberries into the diet, Dr. Starr offers

the

following health tips:

* Vary cranberry sources -- 1/4 cup of fresh or frozen

cranberries, 1/3

cup of sweetened dried cranberries, or 1/3 cup of cranberry

sauce

contains just as many PACs and anti-adhesion power as one

eight-ounce

glass of cranberry juice cocktail.

* Vary your timing -- Research has shown that cranberry juice

cocktail's

beneficial effect on urinary tract health may start within

two hours of

consumption and can last for up to 10 hours. Consuming one

serving in

the morning and one in the evening may provide more effective

anti-

adhesion protection than consuming one serving a day.

* Vary your produce -- The Produce for Better Health®

Foundation in

partnership with the National Cancer Institute recommends

eating 5

servings of fruit a day. One serving of cranberries is 1/2

cup of fresh

or 3/4 cup of 100% juice.

The Cranberry Institute is dedicated to supporting research and

increasing

awareness about the many health benefits of the cranberry. For more

information, visit http://www.cranberryinstitute.org.

Ocean Spray® is an agricultural cooperative owned by more than

650

cranberry growers in Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon, Washington,

Wisconsin,

British Columbia and Quebec as well as more than 100 Florida

grapefruit

growers. Ocean Spray was formed 75 years ago by three cranberry

growers from

Massachusetts and New Jersey. Florida grapefruit growers joined the

ative in 1976. Ocean Spray is North America's leading producer

of canned

and bottled juices and juice drinks, and has been the best-selling

brand name

in the canned and bottled juice category since 1981. Ocean Spray

posted fiscal

2004 gross sales of roughly $1.4 billion.

Contact:

Meg

617-520-7279

mbennett@...

SOURCE Cranberry Institute

Web Site: http://www.cranberryinstitute.org

[Guest guest]

Cranberry juice is indeed very effective with simple urinary infections;

however please remember you need the unsweetened cranberry juice, not a

juice with sugar because sugar will feed the yeast and fungi. 100%

cranberry juice can be found in health food stores and specialty stores, a

quart will cost between $5-6 and please read the ingredients label to make

sure nothing else has been added. It's also very bitter and sour for those

of you who have not tasted it. If I have any left over's from a bottle I

will freeze it in ice cube trays, transfer to baggie and store in the

freezer for later use. Cranberry juice capsules are also available and

easier on our taste buds.

Just my thoughts,

Rosie