A member of the same family of plants as bilberry and blueberry, cranberry is a relatively small, red berry that grows from low-hanging vines in temperate regions throughout the northern hemisphere. Cranberries may be consumed in many forms; the whole berry, its juice or its extract are widely available commercially nowadays.
The active ingredients found in cranberry are the chemical compounds called proanthocyanidins. Well-known for their antioxidant potency, proanthocyanidins have been sold as nutritional and therapeutic supplements in Europe since the 1980’s. The introduction of proanthocyanidins to the United States is relatively recent. Proanthocyanidins are strong antioxidants that appear to have the ability to prevent the bacteria E. Coli from grouping together and adhering to walls of the uterus or bladder. This, in turn, reduces the likelihood of bladder infections, urinary track infections and other related conditions. In fact, many people take cranberry supplements specifically to avoid those conditions.
There are also other health benefits from cranberries. Recent studies and screening tests have shown that proanthocyanidins may exhibit some anti-cancer activity. Supplementation of cranberry extract is also believed to potentially reduce the risk of heart disease. Proanthocyanidins can diminish histamine production and, thus, are useful in treating allergies. People with compromised circulatory systems, such as stroke victims, diabetics and smokers, will benefit from cranberry extract as it helps improve circulation by strengthening capillary walls. Proanthocyanidins may also help in keeping the skin elastic, smooth and wrinkle-free as they aid in repairing collagen.
The recommended dosage of cranberry extract is 400mg taken twice per day. Several 16-ounce glasses of high-quality unsweetened cranberry juice each day are roughly equivalent to supplementing with cranberry extract.
References: (1) http://www.nutrasanus.com/cranberry.html (2) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proanthocyanidi
