Cranberries are a nutritional powerhouse
June 19th, 2008
A 2001 University of Scranton study looked at antioxidant phenol content in 20 different fruits commonly consumed in America: apple, avocado, banana, blueberry, cantaloupe, cherry, cranberry, grape (both red and white), grapefruit, lemon, honeydew, nectarine, orange, peach, pear, pineapple, plum, strawberry and watermelon. Only a few fruits–avocado, cranberry, honeydew melon, and orange–were found to have a large portion of their phenols in a free form (versus conjugated, as in the other fruits). Cranberries, by far, had the largest amount of both free and total phenols among the 20 fruits tested, with red grapes a distant second.
In another study, Tufts scientists measured the natural antioxidant levels of 50 fresh fruits and vegetables, and found berries occupied the top slots. This has largely been attributed to their high anthocyanin content. Anthocyanins give berries their blue and red colors as well as being powerful natural antioxidants three to four times more potent then traditional antioxidants such as vitamins C and E.
Cranberries are most well known for their role in combating urinary tract infections. This health benefit comes from the tart tasting group of phenols called condensed tannins found in cranberries, which prevent bacteria from adhering to the walls of the urinary tract.
At the meeting of the American Chemical Society in April 2002 several studies were presented that demonstrated that the antioxidant benefits of cranberries does not end with UTIs (urinary tract infections). Emerging as one of the most powerful among common fruits studied, cranberries appear to possess anti-cancer properties, inhibit the growth of common food-borne pathogens and contain antibacterial properties.
Cranberries may also act as natural “probiotics” by enabling the good bacteria in the GI tract to thrive, while killing off the bad bacteria that promote infections and food-borne illnesses.
Research has also been done that implies that cranberry phenols may have heart-protective benefits by reducing both total cholesterol and LDL (bad) cholesterol.
ALL ONE offers a convenient and economical way to get the benefits of cranberries every day. The ALL ONE Fruit Antioxidant Formula is a natural antioxidant supplement that provides 2 grams of free radical fighting fruit in each serving, including tart cherries, wild blueberries and cranberries. As a nutritional supplement these are combined with the same high potency vitamins, minerals and amino acids that ALL ONE is known and loved for.







One Response to “Cranberries are a nutritional powerhouse”
Chemical Engineering » Blog Archive » Cranberries are a nutritional powerhouse June 19th, 2008 at 5:53 pm #
[…] True Health wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerpt A 2001 University of Scranton study looked at antioxidant phenol content in 20 different fruits commonly consumed in America: apple, avocado, banana, blueberry, cantaloupe, cherry, cranberry, grape (both red and white), grapefruit, lemon, honeydew, nectarine, orange, peach, pear, pineapple, plum, strawberry and watermelon. Only a few fruits–avocado, cranberry, honeydew melon, and orange–were found to have a large portion of their phenols in a free form (versus conjugated, as in the other fruit […]