Drinking cranberry juice every day could potentially lead to healthier blood sugar and cholesterol levels, according to recent research.
In a study involving overweight but otherwise healthy participants, those who drank two glasses (450ml) of a cranberry-based beverage daily for two weeks showed improvements in blood sugar stability, reducing spikes and dips often associated with cravings and fatigue. These benefits continued when the two-glass intake was maintained.
After eight weeks of daily consumption, the same cranberry beverage was also linked to higher levels of “good” HDL cholesterol, known for promoting artery health by removing “bad” cholesterol. Participants also experienced improved blood vessel function and reduced oxidative stress, a contributor to inflammation and associated with conditions like heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and arthritis.
The study also highlighted the cranberry beverage’s role in maintaining blood sugar levels within a healthy range throughout the eight weeks.
Christina Khoo, Director of Research Sciences at Ocean Spray, known for its cranberry products, commented on the expanding understanding of cranberries’ health benefits, stating that they are “just beginning to uncover the full range of its natural power,” citing positive impacts on blood lipids and inflammation reduction as emerging areas of interest.
Cranberry extracts containing proanthocyanidins (PACs) are also being investigated for their potential health-boosting properties:
Anti-cancer: Preliminary research suggests that cranberry PACs might inhibit cancer cell growth. While further investigation is needed, these findings hint at a promising future for cranberries in cancer research.
Prebiotics: Cranberries may act as prebiotics, fostering the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut. A study observed that cranberry extract rich in PACs, when combined with a mixture of common gastrointestinal bacteria and human colon cancer cells, enhanced the activity of good bacteria against the cancer cells.
Heart protection: Exploring the protective effects of cranberries, scientists found that soaking heart muscle cells in cranberry extract for six hours reduced levels of tissue-damaging enzymes called MMPs, which are implicated in heart disease, tumor growth, and arthritis.
Khoo acknowledges that more research is needed to fully grasp the role of PACs in areas like cell health, heart protection, and promoting gut bacteria. However, she emphasizes that initial findings show encouraging signs that cranberry PACs, particularly in extract form, hold potential for enhancing overall well-being.
[1] Mathison, B.D., Kimble, L.L., McKay, D.C., Chen, C., Blumberg, J.B., Kaspar, K.L., Khoo, C. and Chew, B.C., (2014) Chronic consumption of a high polyphenol content cranberry beverage improved glucoregulation and HDL cholesterol in healthy but overweight humans. Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEBJ). 28, 831.10
[2] Kimble, L.L., Mathison, B.D., McKay, D.L., Chen, C., Blumberg, J.B., Kaspar, K.L., Khoo, C. and Chew, B.P., (2014) Chronic consumption of a high polyphenol cranberry beverage protects against inflammation and improves endothelial function in healthy but overweight humans. FASEBJ. 28, 830.26
[3] Mansouri, R.A., Khoo, C. and Percival, S.S., (2014) Cranberry extract initiates apoptosis in HL-60 cell line through intrinsic apoptotic pathway. FASEBJ. 28, 644.9
[4] Nyugen, T., Kimble, L.L., Mathison, B.D. and Chew, B.P., (2014) Cranberry extract promotes anti-inflammatory activity of lactobacillus plantarum on HT-29 human colon cancer cells. FASEBJ. 28, 647.35
[5] Hurta, R., Thomas, A,. Kim, J., Patel, K. and Neto, C., (2014) Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) extract inhibits matrix metalloproteinase expression in aortic smooth muscle cells by affecting key cell signaling pathways. FASEBJ. 28, 934.1
*Image from Ocean Spray
*Some formulations of Ocean Spray cranberry juice may contain apple juice or other fruits.