The North American cranberry reduces the ability of pathogenic bacteria to adhere to cells of the human body.
Most widely known for its effects in reducing the risk of urinary tract infections, the North American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) is a rich source of polyphenols – a potent type of antioxidant. Jeffrey Blumberg, from Tufts University (Massachusetts, USA), and colleagues revealed that cranberries A-type proanthocyanadins, which which appeared to be responsible for the anti-adhesion effects of the first and can prohibit pathogenic bacteria from attaching to cells in the human body. The study authors submit that: “Berry fruit, including cranberries, represent a rich source of phenolic bioactives that may contribute to human health.”
