Cranberries Provide Eight-Hour Health Protection

-New Research Reveals Urinary Tract, Cardiovascular and Cancer Benefits of the
Berry from the Bog-

SAVANNAH, Ga., Oct. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- For those who think cranberries are
nothing more than a turkey side dish, new research revealed this week confirms
that the crimson berry may be small, but its health benefits are large.
Leading scientists from throughout the country and abroad convened today in
Savannah, GA, for the Fourth Cranberry Institute Health Research Conference to
review the latest findings on the potential health benefits of cranberries,
including studies that reveal an eight-hour protection against certain harmful
bacteria and significant improvements in biomarkers for many chronic diseases.

More than 30 nutrition scientists from leading research institutions,
including the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Department of
Agriculture, and a variety of prestigious universities, presented new findings
about the cranberry's antibacterial and anti-adhesion properties, as well as
promising new areas of research in anti-aging, anti-cancer and protection
against cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome and type II diabetes.

"New studies are continually finding how unique cranberries are, and that
their potential health benefits are impressive," said Jere Downing, executive
director, Cranberry Institute, the nonprofit organization dedicated to
cranberry health research. There seems to be no denying that cranberries are
antioxidant-rich and deliver unique proanthocyanidins (PACs) that are
responsible for cranberries' beneficial anti-adhesion properties.

Cranberry Juice Cocktail Offers Eight-Hour Urinary Tract Protection
Cranberries may offer help to more than 11 million American women each year
who contract urinary tract infections (UTIs). UTIs cost some $1.6 billion in
healthcare and the only known treatment is antibiotic therapy, which
increasingly contributes to creating bacterial resistant strains of pathogens.

Cranberry PACs have been shown to protect against P-fimbriated Escherichia
coli (E. coli), which is thought to be responsible for as much as 95% of
urinary tract infections, and other strains of E. coli bacteria through
anti-adhesion properties, so that pathogenic bacteria are unable to adhere to
our cells, multiply and cause an infection. New research presented by Amy
Howell, Ph.D., associate research scientist at Rutgers University, Marucci
Center for Blueberry and Cranberry Research and Extension, examined the
anti-adhesion effects of 16 oz. of cranberry juice cocktail (CJC) versus water
on subject urine samples exposed to E. coli bacteria. The researchers,
including lead researcher Terri A. Camesano, Associate Professor of Chemical
Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, reported that CJC provided
protection against the pathogen for up to eight-hours.

"The potential for cranberry juice cocktail to help prevent urinary tract
infections is significant, especially since we know that the berry's unique
proanthocyanidins offer at least an eight-hour anti-adhesion benefit," said
Howell. "Based on this and other studies, we recommend that drinking
cranberry juice twice daily can help maintain a healthy urinary tract," she
added.

Pathogen Protector
The same anti-adhesion benefits studied in urinary tract health are now being
identified in other areas of the body, such as the oral cavity, stomach and
small intestine. Studies at the conference identified that cranberry PACs
help prevent oral bacteria from adhering to tooth and denture surfaces,
thereby helping to protect against gum disease and cavities. In addition,
researchers from the University of Maine conducted trials to determine if
cranberry PACs can help protect against E. coli 0157:H7, the strain
responsible for serious--and even life-threatening--cases of foodborne
illnesses.

While more studies are needed, the preliminary studies suggest that cranberry
PACs may play a role in oral health, gastrointestinal health and protection
against bacterial, fungal and even viral illnesses.

Heart Health
Emerging research suggests that cranberries may also play a role in
cardiovascular health. A University of Scranton study presented one way in
which the cranberry provides cardioprotection. In the study, animals fed a
high-fat diet with two doses of cranberry juice cocktail (CJC) daily had
significantly decreased atherosclerotic development, compared to animals fed a
high-fat diet without CJC. The mechanism of the effect of CJC on
atherosclerosis is currently under examination, but is thought to be from the
potent antioxidant capacity of the berries.

Anti-Cancer
Numerous ongoing and recently completed studies are evaluating the role
cranberries may have in preventing certain cancers. Preliminary in vitro
studies conducted at the University of Massachusetts found that compounds in
cranberries limit the proliferation of human breast, colon and prostate tumor
cell lines in a dose-dependent manner. Researchers at the University of
Western Ontario presented research showing that cranberry extracts impaired
the growth of eight different human cancer cell lines.

The Cranberry Institute
The Cranberry Institute is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1951 to
further the success of cranberry growers and the industry in the Americas
through health, agricultural and environmental stewardship research, as well
as cranberry promotion and education.

CONTACT: Tasia Hurt/Emily Blasi
Pollock Communications
212-941-1414
thurt@pollock-pr.com/eblasi@pollock-pr.com

SOURCE The Cranberry Institute

Tasia Hurt, thurt@pollock-pr.com or Emily Blasi, eblasi@pollock-pr.com, both
of Pollock Communications, +1-212-941-1414, for The Cranberry Institute