New Research! Whole Cranberry Powder and Tumor Development
Scientists from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst and Dartmouth partnered with South China Agricultural University and Hunan Agricultural University in China to study how whole cranberry powder (WCP) may affect tumor growth in mice. Tumor growth in the colon associated with colitis was blunted by the addition of WCP to the diets compared to the control group. This was evidenced by a reduction in tumor incidence, growth and average tumor size. Markers of inflammation were also lower with WCP and immune responses that inhibit tumor growth were decreased. The team said that the results provide a scientific basis for using the whole cranberry as a functional food to promote colon health in humans. Chemopreventive Effects of Whole Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) on Colitis‐Associated Colon Tumorigenesis. Food & Function. First published: 24 October 2018.
Cranberry Capsules Help Prevent UTIs in Children
Because urinary tract infections (UTIs) are very common during childhood and about 10% to 30% of children will experience recurrent UTIs in the first year after their first infection, scientists from the Department of Pediatrics, Aristotle University, Greece, explored the efficacy and safety of cranberry capsules for prevention. From June 2016 until May 2017, children aged 2-14 years-old with history of recurrent UTIs (two or more episodes of UTIs during the last six months) participated in this prospective study. For the treatment, two commercially available cranberry capsules containing dry cranberry extract 125 mg (proanthocyanidins 7.2%), vitamin C 7.5 mg and vitamin E (mg a-TE) 2.5 mg were taken once daily. Thirty children received treatment while the control group was comprised of 35 kids. Children on cranberry compared to control group had a significantly lower percentage of UTIs after consuming cranberries for 178.2 ± 66.7 days. Also, the cranberry group experienced less days on antibiotics and fewer required antimicrobial drugs to prevent recurrent infections. The authors suggest that standardized cranberry extract be considered in a subgroup of pediatric population with recurrent UTIs as an alternative prevention method and one that helps avoid prolonged antibiotic treatment.
Cranberry Standardized Capsules May Prevent Recurrences of Urinary Tract Infections in Children. Clin Pediatri. 2018; 1: 1007.
Whole-Body Health Benefits at your Fingertips
To stay up-to-date with cranberry health science, visit the Cranberry Health Research Library. The Library is your source for research abstracts and references categorized by topic areas. The whole-body investigations include the study of cranberries and the health of the urinary tract, heart and gut. Studies also explore cranberry’s role in cancer prevention, glucose metabolism and inflammation.
