What Are the Benefits of Cranberry for Women?
Some research has found that cranberry juice may prevent infections, delay or reduce the severity of chronic disease, and prevent age-related oxidative damage.
Native to North America and some parts of Europe, cranberries have been cultivated for centuries. While these tart berries can be consumed in their natural form, they are often processed and sold as juice. Cranberry juice provides a number of important health benefits — especially for women. Diabetics may want to opt for unsweetened cranberry juice to keep blood sugar levels in check.
1. Fighting age-related damage
Chemicals called free radicals accumulate in the body as people age. Free radicals cause oxidative damage. There is a link between oxidative damage and health issues, including:
cancer
diabetes
heart disease
digestive health
urinary tract health
Some of the chemicals in cranberry juice are antioxidants or compounds that fight harmful free radicals. The presence of antioxidants means that cranberries and cranberry juice might help fight age-related damage to the body's tissues.
A 2011 study found that chemicals in cranberries promoted better antioxidant activity the lower their pH was. That study also found that the berries were significantly more potent antioxidants than cranberry juice, although cranberry juice still offered some benefits.
2. Improving heart health
Studies show that various ingredients in cranberry juice may improve heart health.
Cranberries are high in chemicals called polyphenols that may support heart health. A 2011 study of females with metabolic syndrome found that cranberry juice increased the antioxidants in the blood plasma. People who drank cranberry juice also had lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL). LDL is known as the "bad" type of cholesterol.
Another 2011 study found that cranberry juice could improve health in people with coronary artery disease. Mean carotid-femoral artery pulse wave velocity, which is a way to measure the stiffness of arteries, was reduced among the people in the study who drank a laboratory preparation of double-strength cranberry juice.
3. Prevention of Urinary Tract Infections
Urinary tract infections can affect many different areas of the body, including the kidneys, ureters, bladder or urethra. And while either gender can be diagnosed with this condition, it is much more likely to strike women. The 2015 review in Botanics: Targets and Therapy reports that proanthocyanidin, an antioxidant found in cranberry juice, can prevent certain types of bacteria from adhering to the wall of the urinary tract, where they can cause infection. In addition to serving as a preventative tool, cranberry juice can be used as a homoeopathic remedy for those who are experiencing mild to moderate cases of urinary tract infection, according to the British Homeopathic Association.
4. Supporting digestive health
There is growing evidence that the phytochemicals contained in cranberries play an important role in digestive health.
Evidence for the digestive health benefits of cranberry juice, in addition to other benefits, was reported in a study from 2018 in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture.
The paper noted that inhibiting the production of another bacterium called H. pylori in the stomach is thought to promote digestive health.
5. Preventing infections
Studies suggest that cranberries may inhibit the growth of bacterial microbes.
Some chemicals in cranberries may help fight viruses and bacteria.
A 2011 study found that cranberries inhibited the growth of seven bacterial microbes. The study did not assess whether cranberries or cranberry juice could prevent infection with these microbes in humans.
Similarly, a 2010 study found that cranberries could fight some viruses, including norovirus, which s a common cause of food-borne illness.
The authors of the study caution that more research is needed, but argue that cranberries might be a useful method of treating or preventing food-borne illness.
6. Supporting post-menopausal health
The risk of heart problems increases after menopause compared to the risk in all other groups of people of the same age.
A 2013 study investigated this phenomenon in rats that had their ovaries removed. Researchers found that daily cranberry consumption reduced total cholesterol, suggesting cranberry products might be useful dietary supplements after the menopause.
7. Reduced Risk of Breast Cancer
As with other forms of juice, cranberry juice offers a number of important vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C. According to the USDA, one 8-ounce serving of cranberry juice provides about 24 milligrams of vitamin C, or 30 to 35 percent of daily recommendations. BreastCancer.org reports that women who consume large amounts of vitamin C may be less likely to develop certain types of cancer, including breast cancer. Unfortunately, people who have already been diagnosed with breast cancer may not benefit from the use of vitamin C, as it can interfere with the function of certain forms of cancer therapy.
8. Pre-eclampsia Prevention
Pre-eclampsia is a condition associated with high blood pressure and increased amounts of protein in the urine of pregnant women. When left untreated, this condition can result in premature birth. The University of Maryland Medical Center suggests that vitamin C — such as that found in cranberry juice — can be an effective way to reduce the risk of pre-eclampsia for women who are at high risk for developing the condition. Supplementing with vitamin E may also provide some benefits for women at risk for pre-eclampsia.
9. Protection Against Ulcers
The bacteria Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a common cause of peptic ulcers. And according to Mayo Clinic, more than 50 percent of people in the world may be infected with the bacteria. Women can protect themselves by drinking cranberry juice, which inhibits the growth of H. pylori, according to a 2008 study in the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. The antioxidant polyphenols in cranberry are responsible for the inhibitory effects.
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| Forever Aloe Berry Nectar is rich in cranberries |
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| Forever Vitolize for Women contains cranberries powder |
References
www.livestrong.com
www.medicalnewstoday.com
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