Preliminary results of a study by researchers from the University of Michigan suggest that cranberry juice could help lower the risk of developing lung and ear infections by inhibiting strains of a bacteria called Haemophilus influenzae. Dr Kirk McCrea and colleagues discovered that chemicals present in cranberry juice called proanthocyanidins bind to block the action of strains of Haemophilus influenzae, a bacterium present in the throat and nose of three-quarters of the population. Haemophilus influenzae is a common cause of ear and lung infections in children, and is thought to be responsible for as many as 40% of bacterial middle ear infections. McCrea isn’t suggesting that people rush out and stock up on cranberry juice though, as results obtained from test tube studies don’t always pan out in human studies. Previous studies have shown that cranberry juice can reduce the risk of urinary tract infections by binding to E. Coli bacteria present in the bladder.
SOURCE/REFERENCE: Reported by www.reutershealth.com on the 28th October 2002
