Did you know that cranberry juice has numerous health benefits? Not only is it an excellent natural antibacterial, it also reduces inflammation and prevents urinary tract infections. In addition, it may prevent heart disease. This article will provide an overview of the benefits of cranberry juice for the body. Hopefully, you’ll be encouraged to add cranberry juice to your daily diet! Here are five more reasons why you should.
When we think of cranberry juice, we generally think of the health benefits. What many people don’t realize is that cranberry juice is high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. It also contains several vitamins and minerals that benefit the health of our bodies.
Cranberry juice is a natural antibacterial
Some people believe cranberry juice is a natural antibiotic, but the benefits of cranberry extract for urinary tract infections are uncertain. The active ingredient in cranberry is known as proanthocyanidin, which prevents E. coli from binding to bladder uroepithelium. In addition, cranberry is a natural diuretic, which means that it helps to clear the bowel of waste and flush it out. The cranberry’s antimicrobial properties may also help to reduce the occurrence of recurrent UTI. However, in this case, the Cochrane review found no statistically significant difference between women who drank cranberry juice and those who did not.
The tangy taste of cranberry juice, coupled with its antioxidant properties, may be effective against bacteria. Recent research from McGill University and the Institute of Nutrition and Public Health in Montreal suggests that cranberry juice can inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria, which is important for fighting infections. The results of the study show that cranberry juice can help prevent urinary tract infections by preventing bacteria from adhering to the walls of the urinary tract.
It helps prevent urinary tract infections
A urinary tract infection, also called a UTI, occurs when bacteria in the digestive system infect the lining of the urinary tract. These bacteria can grow in the bladder, urethra, and kidneys. Symptoms of a urinary tract infection include pain and cloudy or dark urine. You may also experience fever, nausea, or back or side pain. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics and pain relievers. Besides antibiotics, you can also drink plenty of water to wash away bacteria in your urinary tract.
Women are more prone to bladder and urinary tract infections than men. Female urethra is shorter and located closer to the anus, putting them at a higher risk for infection. Cysts are common in older adults, and may also be caused by incomplete emptying of the bladder or enlarged prostate. Incomplete emptying of the bladder may also lead to infection. Some women also suffer from cystitis and should consult their doctors to prevent these infections.
It reduces inflammation
Drinking cranberry juice is one of the healthiest foods you can ingest. It has been proven to reduce inflammation and improve the body’s inflammatory response. Inflammation is a natural process, occurring when the body defends itself from infections caused by bacteria and viruses. Symptoms of inflammation can range from a rash around the era to fatigue and fever. Chronic inflammation can increase the risk of several illnesses.
The mechanism of cranberry action is unknown, but it may involve interference with bacterial adhesion in the urinary tract. In one study, cranberry juice prevented uropathogenic P-fimbriated E. coli from adhering to bladder cell receptors, resulting in decreased adhesion forces. This may be attributed to changes in bacterial morphology or genetically-based decreases in P-fimbrial expression. Various cranberry bioactives have also been implicated in improving the gut microbiota.
It may help prevent heart disease
Recent research has suggested that drinking cranberry juice may help prevent heart disease. A crossover study in middle-aged adults with elevated brachial blood pressure and obesity found that people who consumed 500 mL per day of cranberry juice experienced lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease compared to those who drank the placebo beverage. Researchers collected blood samples before the start of the study and after each supplementation period.
Although cranberries are more bitter and crunchier than blueberries, they contain many important nutrients that promote heart and digestive health. Cranberries are also high in fiber. While they have not been proven to prevent urinary tract infections, they have been linked to a lower risk of certain forms of cancer. They also contain chemicals that help the body fight food-borne illnesses. If you want to know more about cranberry health benefits, continue reading.
It may help prevent stomach ulcers
There are many health benefits to drinking cranberry juice. This fruit is a powerful source of antioxidants and has been shown to reduce the risk of stomach ulcers. It has antibacterial properties, and some studies have indicated that it may even help prevent stomach ulcers. Another benefit is its anti-inflammatory properties. Consuming cranberry juice is beneficial for the entire digestive system, including the stomach, because it helps reduce inflammation and promotes healthy digestion.
Several human intervention trials have shown that cranberry juice can effectively fight Helicobacter pylori, the bacterial strain responsible for stomach ulcers. The cranberry also suppresses the growth of H. pylori, a common cause of gastric cancer. Researchers also suspect that cranberry juice may help prevent stomach cancer, as previous studies indicate that it is beneficial against the infection.
It may help fight off fungal and bacterial pathogens
Fungi are an emerging threat to human health. Adapting to inimical environments and learning new behaviors, these pathogens are threatening human health in new ways. Drugmakers are playing leapfrog to stay ahead of evolving bacteria and fungi. The goal is to create the most effective drugs and stop fungi from getting better at combating antimicrobial agents. The lack of effective vaccines is contributing to the growth of drug-resistant strains.
Adaptive immune responses involve an induction of the host’s innate defences, which can kill most fungi within hours. The immune system’s innate defences involve phagocytes, opsonins, and distinct pattern-recognition receptors. These early defenses can keep an infection in check, but do not provide lasting protection. Once infection has breached these early lines of defence, the body’s adaptive immune response kicks in, with the development of antigen-specific T helper effector and regulatory T cells.
